--- title: Russell Simmons to Be Honored at 2011 American Business Awards description: Russell Simmons to receive the first Difference Maker Award from The American Business Awards on June 20, 2011. image: https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13813344-jpg/images/russellsimmons.jpg --- [![stevie-awards-full-logo](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stevie%20Awards%20Blog%20Theme%20Files/stevie-awards-full-logo.png?width=347&height=70&name=stevie-awards-full-logo.png "stevie-awards-full-logo")](http://stevieawards.com) Click to View Posts by Stevie® Awards Categories # Russell Simmons to Be Honored at 2011 American Business Awards Posted by [Michael Gallagher](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/author/michael-gallagher) on Thu, Jun 02, 2011 @ 10:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Russell Simmons](https://blog.stevieawards.com/hs-fs/file-13813344-jpg/images/russellsimmons.jpg)The Stevie Awards today announced that Russell Simmons, an entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the co-founder of [Def Jam Recordings](http://www.defjam.com/index.php), will be honored with its Difference Maker award at The 9th Annual [American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba/) ceremony on June 20 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. This honorary award is the first of its kind and will be presented to Simmons for his groundbreaking vision and influence on music, fashion, finance, television and film, as well as the face of modern philanthropy.  The annual gala, which will be attended by more than 600 executives, will be hosted by Fox News Channel business reporter [Cheryl Casone](http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/personalities/cheryl-casone/bio/#s=a-d). “Russell Simmons is the personification of the American business spirit,” said [Stevie Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_594_2401.cfm) President Michael Gallagher.  “His approach to building businesses for the future -- which are both sustainable and philanthropic -- has instigated change in corporate America.  He has the kind of vision as a business leader that not only makes a difference, but creates a path that inspires others to follow and that’s why we are proud to honor him with this award.” Named one of USA Today’s “Top 25 Most Influential People,” the New York City-born Simmons created Def Jam Recordings in 1984 with partner Rick Rubin, signing forerunners of the hip-hop movement like the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and Public Enemy. From creating his seminal Def Jam, to the 2007 publishing of his New York Times best-seller *Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success* and his latest New York Times best-seller *SUPER RICH: A Guide To Having It All*, Simmons expanded his personal vision far beyond the music world to create a varied business empire with [RUSH Communications](http://www.rushcommunications.com/), a leading multi-faceted holding company with investments in prominent and respected brands in entertainment & media, fashion & lifestyle, finance and empowerment industries. Widely recognized as the premier business awards program in the U.S., The American Business Awards honor organizations and individuals in a wide variety of categories -- from [management](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3656.cfm) and [public relations](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_3658.cfm) to [technology](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_14100.cfm), [human resources](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_14098.cfm), [new products](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/70_816_14101.cfm) and more. [Judges](http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/general/72_221_974.cfm) of The American Business Awards include many of the leading figures in American business.  **About The Stevie® Awards** Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: [The American Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/aba), [The International Business Awards](http://www.stevieawards.com/iba), [the Stevie Awards for Women in Business](http://www.stevieawards.com/women), and [the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service](http://www.stevieawards.com/sales).  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about the Stevie Awards at [http://www.stevieawards.com](http://www.stevieawards.com/).  **What do you think of the choice of Russell Simmons for this award?** Topics: [business awards](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/business-awards), [Russell Simmons](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/russell-simmons), [Def Jam](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/def-jam), [Rush Communications](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/rush-communications), [difference maker](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/difference-maker), [honorary award](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/honorary-award), [lifetime achievement](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/topic/lifetime-achievement) ### Request an entry kit for one or more of the stevie awards programs [Remove my information](https://blog.stevieawards.com/blog/bid/54636/Russell-Simmons-to-Be-Honored-at-2011-American-Business-Awards#) Entry kit will be sent to you by email. 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