Brown, Booker, Meeks, Carson Introduce Resolutions Recognizing Black Music Month in House and Senate

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) have filed resolutions in the House and Senate recognizing June as Black Music Month. Brown’s House resolution is co-led by Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), and Congressman André Carson (D-IN-07). 

 

The House resolution honors the impact of Black creators and Black music and calls upon the people of the United States to recognize Black Music Month through actions that elevate Black musicians, promote diversity, and honor and spread awareness of Black music’s impact and deep-rooted history. The Senate resolution recognizes the contributions of Black Americans to the musical heritage of the United States and designates June as Black Music Appreciation Month. 

 

 

“Black music is the soul of American music, shaping our culture in indelible and immeasurable ways. Black Music sets the rhythm of Black life and has shared our story, our joys, and our struggle with the world. Black Music Month is an important opportunity to support music and arts education, including for diverse communities, and connect Black music to the wider story of Black history, including as we celebrate Juneteenth this month. I am proud to introduce our resolution in the House with Congressman Meeks and Congressman Carson and to join with Senator Booker in announcing our resolutions,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

 

“America’s music history has long been defined by Black music, but Black singers, songwriters, and musicians rarely get the recognition they deserve for their contributions and art,” said Senator Booker. “This resolution honors Black musicians from Aretha Franklin to Kendrick Lamar, along with so many others who have made an invaluable impact on our cultural history. I’m pleased to stand alongside my colleagues to recognize these artists and also recommit ourselves to expanding access to music education for children across the nation.”

 

“To African American communities, music is more than just entertainment, it is a force of identity, healing, and resistance,” said Congressman Meeks. “I am honored to represent a district that has been home to musical legends such as Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. African American music is woven into the DNA of this nation—it tells our stories, preserves our struggles, and celebrates our triumphs. We must continue celebrating Black music and its cultural impact worldwide.”

"Black music has always been more than entertainment. It's a pathway for truth, resistance, and cultural pride," said Congressman Carson. "From the rhythms carried by our ancestors to the beats of hip hop transcending through today's movements, Black music has always told our story when words alone did not suffice. This Black Music Month, we honor the genres we birthed and the voices that continue to inspire justice, joy, and speak truth to power across the world."

 

The resolution is cosponsored by the following House members: Rep. Ansari, Rep. Amo, Rep. Balint, Rep. Beatty, Rep. Bell, Rep. Carter, Sr., Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Rep. Crockett, Rep. DeSaulnier, Rep. Dingell, Rep. Doggett. Rep. Espaillat, Rep. Evans, Rep. Foushee, Rep. Frost, Del. Holmes Norton, Rep. Jonathan Jackson, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Kaptur, Rep. Kelly, Rep. McBath, Rep. McClellan, Rep. McIver, Rep. Mfume, Rep. Nadler, Rep. Omar, Rep. Peters, Rep. Ramirez, Rep. Scanlon, Rep. Soto, Rep. Stansbury, Rep. Stevens, Rep. Sykes, Rep. Thanedar, Rep. Tlaib, Rep. Watson Coleman, Rep. Nikema Williams.

“Regardless of our socio-economic backgrounds or geographic location within the US, the impact and contributions of Black music is woven into the fabric of our nation. Our music is not just important because of the uniqueness of the art form, but the nurturing provided by those who first introduced the melodies, rhythms, and phrases to us as young music learners in elementary schools, and with our local communities far and wide. The economic impact to small towns and big cities which embrace the expression of this music in houses of worship and entertainment venues contributes and builds local legacies enabling us to preserve, embrace, and expand these gifts for the next generation of music makers, consumers, and admirers.  By supporting and exploring the contribution of Black Music making, we can provide a richer experience which recognizes and celebrates the vital contributions of all those who create and offer this art to our communities, enhancing everyone's understanding and appreciation for cultural history through the arts,” said NAfME President-Elect Cecil Adderley, Chair of Berklee’s Music Education Department.

 

Brown’s House Resolution is endorsed by: A Cuthbertson Consulting, Cold Narly Generation LLC, Conn Selmer, JazzSLAM, League of American Orchestras, Music Education Consultants, Inc., Music Travel Consultants, National Association for Music Education, National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music, National Association of Music Merchants, National Concerts, Ohio Music Education Association, New Jersey Music Educators Association, Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, TeachRock.