Congresswoman Brown Introduces Resolution Recognizing June as Black Music Month

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) introduced today a House resolution recognizing June 2024 as Black Music Month. This resolution honors the work and impact of Black creators and music and calls upon the people of the United States to recognize Black Music Month through actions and programs that elevate Black musicians, promote diversity, and honor and spread awareness of Black music’s impact and deep-rooted history.

Congresswoman Brown’s resolution is co-lead by Congressman André Carson (IN-07), a Co-Chair of the Congressional Hip Hop Power and Justice Task Force and Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05).

Congresswoman Brown is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Rock and Roll Caucus. The resolution has 44 original cosponsors (full list below) and is endorsed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

“Black music has shaped my life, shaped America, and influenced so many music genres. Black music is the soundtrack of our struggle and joy. June is the month where we celebrate Juneteenth and the struggle for Black freedom. From concerts and playlists to museum exhibits and school programming, building up Black Music Month is an opportunity to educate and celebrate. I am proud to have Congressman Carson, Co-Chair of the Hip Hop Power and Justice Task Force, and Congressman Meeks as this resolution’s co-leads and to have so much support from other Members of Congress,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Co-Chair of the Congressional Rock and Roll Caucus.

“African American music is the heartbeat of American culture, detailing stories of struggle, triumph and unity,” said CongressmanGregory W. Meeks. “From jazz to hip-hop, its rhythms transcend borders, shaping the very essence of American identity. I am proud to represent Queens, New York, a borough that produced several notable musicians including John Coltrane, Lena Horne, LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj. It is only right that we recognize and celebrate the significance of Black music in our country and the impact that it has made around the globe.”

“Throughout moments of sorrow and triumph, music has given Black Americans a language to express our experience,” said Congressman André Carson. “Rhythms from our African ancestors traveled with us to these shores, and out of our oppression and pain, we created new sounds, like gospel, blues, jazz and Hip-Hop. Black Music Month deserves to be recognized not just for its indelible mark on our history, but the ways it continues to give us a voice. Black Music is empowerment, and I’m honored to continue elevating it in the halls of Congress.”

Congresswoman Brown’s resolution notes the wide-ranging musical styles and genres embodied in Black music and that “Black music is sewn into the fabric of the Nation.” The resolution also notes that Black music “has often been imbued with deeply emotional character related to the discrimination and mistreatment faced by Black Americans” and “Black music has been central to the struggle for Black freedom.”

In addition to Brown and Carson, the resolution is cosponsored by Rep. Gabe Amo, Rep. Becca Balint, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Rep. Troy Carter, Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Don Davis, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, Rep. Valerie Foushee, Rep. Max Frost, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Steven Horsford, Rep. Glenn Ivey, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Greg Landsman, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Lucy McBath, Rep. Jennifer McClellan, Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Terri Sewell, Rep. Darren Soto, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Shri Thanedar, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Nikema Williams, and Rep. Frederica Wilson.

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