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November 11, 2026
Dr. Mathew Knowles, a music executive and former manager of Destiny’s Child, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Golden Footprints Award. The children’s charity Mission: I’M Possible recognized Knowles with its highest humanitarian honor for raising awareness of breast cancer in men and advocating for early detection.
The charity is a global nonprofit organization and humanitarian movement that empowers underserved children and youth facing adversity. Dr. Mohan Ananda, an entrepreneur and scientist who contributed to the development of GPS, was honored alongside Knowles.
The occasion also marked the launch of The Mission: I’M Possible Dream… for Kids Who Deserve More. The new book brings humanitarian leaders together around a shared commitment to children
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About Dr. Mathew Knowles
Before managing Destiny’s Child, Dr. Knowles worked in corporate medical sales. He earned a dual bachelor’s degree in economics and business Administration from Fisk University in 1974. After moving to Houston in 1976, he spent a decade at Xerox Corporation and became the top sales representative in its medical-systems division. He then specialized in neurosurgical and diagnostic imaging sales for companies including Johnson & Johnson.
In 1994, his career completely shifted. Knowles resigned from his corporate position to found Music World Entertainment. There, he set out to manage his daughter Beyoncé’s early girl group, Girl’s Tyme, which later rebranded as Destiny’s Child. Under his management, the group became one of the best-selling girl groups in history. Destiny’s Child has sold over 60 million records worldwide and won 121 awards out of 272 nominations. After the group disbanded in 2006, he managed the solo careers of Beyoncé, Solange, and Michelle Williams. That arrangement ended in 2011, when Beyoncé took direct control of her own management.
Beyond music management and medical sales, Knowles earned an MBA and Ph.D. in Business Management. He is a professor and guest lecturer at institutions including Texas Southern University and the London College of Contemporary Music, among others. Knowles is also a published author of books on entrepreneurship and social issues. He published The DNA of Achievers in 2015 and Destiny’s Child: The Untold Story in 2019.
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Turning a Personal Diagnosis into Public Awareness
In 2019, Knowles noticed tiny drops of blood on his white T-shirts for several days. Having sold mammography and diagnostic equipment in his early career, he recognized the warning signs and immediately requested a mammogram. The test came back positive for stage 1A breast cancer, and he underwent a successful mastectomy that year. Post-surgery testing also revealed that he carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, an inherited condition that raises the risk for certain cancers.
The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer for men is 1 in 833 compared to 1 in 8 for women. Research shows that Black men have about a 4% higher overall cancer incidence than white men, but roughly 16% higher overall cancer mortality.
Since revealing his diagnosis in 2019, Knowles has encouraged greater awareness of symptoms, family history, genetic risk, and the importance of early detection. By speaking openly about his experience, Knowles has helped break the stigma and embarrassment that can prevent men from seeking medical attention. He refers to the disease as “chest cancer” to help men recognize that they can develop breast cancer too.
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Mission: I’M Possible
Mission: I’M Possible began its work in Prague in 2000. Through volunteer-led events, literacy initiatives, and community partnerships, the organization brings hope, joy, and encouragement to underserved children around the world. Knowles serves as a global Ambassador of Hope and public advocate, linking his cancer survival story to the charity’s mission to support children facing adversity.
“My own journey through cancer taught me how much a little hope can mean in a difficult season, and I’m grateful to stand alongside an organization doing that work every day,” Knowles shared in an Instagram post.
