June is a month of many celebrations across our nation. The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission (NCAAHC) is excited to kick off the month with African American Music Month, originally known as Black Music Month, which was established by President Jimmy Carter through a presidential proclamation in 1979. The Commission is proud to highlight this important month as we advance our mission to promote the rich arts and culture of our state.
NCAAHC has a longstanding commitment to supporting and presenting at local and statewide events, including the Ocean City Jazz Festival, Charlotte Hawkins Brown Heritage Day, Dreamville Festival, Rhiannon Gidden’s Biscuits and Banjos, and musical performances at North Carolina Freedom Park The Commission recognizes the vital role music has played in shaping the African American experience in North Carolina. We also honor the great artists who paved the way—icons like Roberta Flack, Maceo Parker, Nina Simone, Percy Heath, Mary Cardwell Dawson and many more who have shaped North Carolina’s musical legacy. Our state’s impact on music resonates not only locally but across the nation.
NCAAHC is also proud to steward the African American Music Trails of North Carolina. For at least a century, African American musicians from North Carolina have played key roles in the development of several forms of American music, including jazz, rhythm and blues, funk, and gospel. The cultural trail also includes the Kinston Music Park, dedicated in 2014 to celebrate the important contributions of eastern North Carolina musicians. The park features vibrant artwork, listening stations, and an outdoor stage for performances.
North Carolina was one of the first states in the nation to celebrate its music heritage by researching and developing music trails. In 2013, after establishing the Blue Ridge Music Trails of Western North Carolina in the early 2000s, the North Carolina Arts Council developed the African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina to honor some of the most transformative figures in the history of jazz, gospel, and popular music.
