The integrity and depth of Jessye Norman's performances are often characterized as in a NEW YORK TIMES article, which stated,: “This is an amazing voice, a catalogue of all that is virtuous in singing.” “The immensity of her voice struck like a thunderbolt…It was like an eruption of primal power.” THE JERUSALEM POST.

In September of 2003, the Jessye Norman School of the Arts in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia opened its doors to talented middle school students for studies in music performance, drama, dance and art. The students attend this after-school program tuition-free. A fellowship and master class series in her name established recently at the University of Michigan School of Music further attest to Miss Norman's encouragement and support of emerging talent.

Miss Norman is the recipient of many awards and honors. In December of 1997, she was invested with the United States highest award in the performing arts, the Kennedy Center Honor, making history as the youngest recipient in the Honors' twenty-year existence. Her many other prestigious distinctions include honorary doctorates at some thirty colleges, universities and conservatories around the world. In 1984 the French government bestowed upon Miss Norman the title Commandeur de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the National Museum of Natural History in Paris named an orchid for her.

In October 1989 she was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by French President Mitterand, and in June 1990 she was named Honorary Ambassador to the United Nations by U.N. Secretary Xavier Perez de Cuellar. Miss Norman was awarded the Radcliff Medal in June of 1997. In the autumn of 2000, Miss Norman was honored with the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal in recognition of her humanitarian and civic contributions. In Augusta, Georgia, her hometown, the Amphitheatre and Plaza overlooking the tranquil Savannah River have been named for her.
Miss Norman's distinguished catalogue of recordings has won numerous awards, including France's Grand Prix National du Disque for albums of lieder by Wagner, Schumann, Mahler and Schubert; London's prestigious Gramophone Award for her outstanding interpretation of Strauss' “Four Last Songs”; Amsterdam's Edison Prize; and recording honors in Belgium, Spain and Germany. In the United States, her Grammy Award winning recordings include “Songs of Maurice Ravel,” and Wagner's Lohengrin and Die Walküre. Bluebeard's Castle with Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra received the Grammy Award for best opera in February 1999. She was the winner of an “Ace” Award from the National Academy of Cable Programming for “Jessye Norman at Notre Dame”, as seen on the Arts and Entertainment Television Network in the United States.

In addition to her busy performance schedule, Miss Norman serves on the Boards of Directors for The New York Public Library, the New York Botanical Garden, Citymeals-on-Wheels in New York City, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Howard University. Miss Norman is a member of the board as well as National spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation, and national spokesperson for The Partnership for the Homeless. And in her hometown of Augusta, Georgia, she serves on the Board of Trustees of Paine College and The Augusta Opera Association. A relentless Girl Scout cookie seller, she is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America.

In 2004, Miss Norman was presented in performance in Thailand, Spain, France, Austria, and in Japan, where she appeared in a reprise of her unique opera double-bill of Schoenberg's Erwatung and Poulenc's La Voix Humaine. In the U.S., Miss Norman's performances included Washington, Cleveland, and New York.
In November of 2004, the documentary of Miss Norman's life and work to date, was completed. This film, directed by Andre Heller, with Othmar Schmiderer as director of photography and produced by DOR-FILM of Vienna, chronicles the music, the social and political issues, the inspiration and dreams that combine to make this singer unique in her profession.