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Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Zachary Parker 3
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Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Councilmember Matt Frumin 9
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 14
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Councilmember Christina Henderson Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau 18
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Councilmember Anita Bonds 22
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A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION 25
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 28
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To celebrate the legacy, achievements, and contributions of African Americans to music, the role 32
they played in American music history, and to declare June as Black Music Month. 33
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WHEREAS, Black Music Month was founded by Dyana Williams, a former SHUR radio 35
personality, radio DJ Ed Wright, and legendary soul producer Kenny Gamble in Philadelphia, 36
Pennsylvania; 37
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WHEREAS, Black Music Month was established to recognize and celebrate the profound 39
influence of Black musical contributions in the United States and around the world, and to highlight the 40
diverse genres and styles that Black musicians have pioneered and influenced across history; 41
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WHEREAS, the earliest form of Black musical expression in American spirituals were based on 43
Christian psalms and hymns and merged with African music styles and secular American music forms; 44
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WHEREAS, spirituals were originally an oral tradition and imparted Christian values while also 46
defining the hardships of slavery; 47
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WHEREAS, teacher and pianist Amelia Louise Tilghman created the first African American 49
Music journal called The Musical Messenger from 1886 to 1891; 50
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WHEREAS, former slave and New York City street performer George W. Johnson is recognized 52
as the first African American recording star of the phonograph record, and by most accounts the very first 53
African-American recording artist; 54
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WHEREAS, in 1920 singer Mamie Smith made Blues history as the first African American to 56
make Blues recordings; 57
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WHEREAS, President Jimmy Carter endorsed the movement on June 7, 1979, hosting the 59
inaugural Black Music Month Celebration on the White House Lawn, and featured performances by 60
iconic artists such as Chuck Berry and Billy Eckstine; 61
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WHEREAS, in 2000 the first official Presidential Proclamation recognizing Black Music Month 63
was signed by President Bill Clinton, in 2009 President Barack Obama renamed it African -American 64
Music Appreciation Month, and in 2021 President Joe Biden renamed it Black Music Appreciation 65
Month; 66
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WHEREAS, Black Music Month continues to celebrate the essential role of African American 68
music in shaping the cultural heritage of the United States and acknowledges the contributions of Black 69
musicians across various genres including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, folk, rock and roll, hip- hop, and rap; 70
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WHEREAS, Black Music Month highlights the social impact of African American music, 73
including its role in expressing social commentary, promoting racial integration, and addressing social 74
and political issues. 75
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THEREBY IT IS RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that 77
this resolution may be cited as the “ Black Music Month Recognition Resolution of 2024 ”. 78
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Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia honors and recognizes the exceptional 80
contributions of African Americans to the United States and to the District of Columbia’s music and 81
declares June as Black Music Month. 82
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Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the 84
District of Columbia Register. 85