Black Music Month – June 1, 2026

History of Black Music Month

First coming into existence in 1979 as Black Music Month, this month was meant to honor and celebrate Black artists’ contributions to music on U.S. soil. President Jimmy Carter wanted people to recognize how much of an impact Black music has had, not only at home but also abroad, as people all over were adopting elements from it to express themselves. Moreover, the ’70s was fast becoming the decade in which Black music was gaining traction in signing music labels, with many business heads recognizing its commercial value. 

Although President Carter had assigned June as Black Music Month, he had not signed a special presidential proclamation that would have made it official. Dyana Williams, a renowned journalist and community activist, attempted to submit a petition to hold a Black Music Month event at the White House in 1998 during President Bill Clinton’s term. But she was soon informed that an event wouldn’t be possible due to the absence of a presidential proclamation. Yet, all was not lost — Williams lobbied for legislation with the help of Congressman Chaka Fattah and, thanks to their joint effort, two years later, June was officially declared as Black Music Month. 

In 2009, President Barack Obama renamed Black Music Month to African-American Music Appreciation Month. He also highlighted the importance of this month and the various genres in Black music.  This includes sacred music, which was one of the earliest African-American music forms in the U.S. that highlighted gospel themes and Black Christian values. Blues and R&B relayed ideas of the homeland and racial integration. Hip-hop, rap, and rock and roll quickly became popular overseas as they appealed to youngsters all over the world.

African-American music is not just music but an integral part of American history. As we mentioned before, African-Americans musicians’ efforts gave birth to a number of newer genres of music like jazz and rap. Throughout the last century, these genres have redefined America’s cultural landscape. When people were struggling as a nation, the music brought an entire generation together. The music that emerged in the last few decades also became an important part of the Civil Rights Movement.  

The beats and sounds of these genres influenced rock, soul, gospel, swing, be-bop, boogie-woogie, and other genres of music. Famous rock bands like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles credit blues and jazz as major influences of their music. In fact, a lot of Elvis Presley’s songs were originally performed by Black artists. More recently, genres such as funk, Motown, and hip-hop have also been influenced by African-American performers who have introduced new dancing and singing styles to the genres. Throughout the month of June, music lovers gather together to celebrate African-American Music Appreciation Month. They celebrate the diversity, inclusivity, and the community’s impact in shaping cultural conversations in modern America.