Black Music Appreciation Month is an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was initiated as Black Music Month by United States President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7, 1979, decreed that June would be the month of Black music.
In 2009, the commemoration was given its current name by President Barack Obama. In his 2016 proclamation, President Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country "to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country's enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all".
In 2023, President Joe Biden proclaimed, "During Black Music Month, we pay homage to legends of American music, who have composed the soundtrack of American life. Their creativity has given rise to distinctly American art forms that influence contemporary music worldwide and sing to the soul of the American experience."
"Much of Black music is rooted in African rhythms, coupled with the experience of slavery and struggle in America. Barred from expressing themselves in their native tongues, enslaved people developed a language to articulate their hopes, dreams, sense of loss, and tenacity to overcome the harrowing nature of their lives. They used music to strategically and creatively voice their most deeply held feelings. Today, the creative ways that Black music tells stories of trial and triumph in American life continue to move us all to understand the common struggles of humanity. Spirituals, gospel, the blues, R&B, rock and roll, jazz, pop, rap, hip-hop, and more have molded American culture and given rise to new American art forms emulated around the globe."
"This month, we celebrate the songs and artists that challenge us to think critically, stand up to injustice, and believe in ourselves. We recommit to expanding the promise of dignity and opportunity for all Americans. And we revel in the sounds, spirit, and soul of some of the very best music ever created."
Ever since the 2016 inception of my nationally syndicated radio show "Shefik presents Invocation", I continue to have the distinct honor of personally interviewing and working with a flux of legendary icons in Black music. Unfortunately, over the past several years, some of these icons have passed away. However, the legacy of their influential music continues to reflect the beating of my heart — as well as the hearts of millions of other fans worldwide.
I dedicate my tremendous reverence of Black music to the following luminaries, who have all been a part of the success of "Shefik presents Invocation": Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Turner (former lead singer of The Platters), 2-time Grammy Award nominee Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Sarah Dash of Labelle, Grammy Award winner James Mtume, tenor David Tyson of The Manhattans, and acclaimed Quindon Tarver.
Thank you for sharing with me your stories of dignity, integrity, and identity.
Last Updated: June 8, 2023
