The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has announced its first-ever Awards Gala, a ground-breaking event set to take place on October 5 on Broadway, the epicenter of Nashville’s music scene.
This historic celebration will honor musicians, producers, and educators who have made significant contributions to the music industry and advanced NMAAM’s mission to preserve and promote the legacy of African American music. Tickets can be purchased at <nmaamhonors.org>.
The Awards Gala will feature dynamic performances from celebrated icons and rising stars, delivering an unforgettable night of music that captures the richness and diversity of the African American experience.
Guests will enjoy a vibrant mix of tributes, celebrating the honorees’ outstanding achievements and their profound ripple effect on the cultural landscape.
NMAAM’S 2024 Awards Gala honorees include:
- Jed Hilly – executive director, Americana Music Association
- Gina Miller – SVP and general manager, MNRK Music Group
- Alice Randall – award-winning professor, songwriter, and author
- Allison Russell – Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and activist
- Damon Williams – chairman, R&B Foundation
- Torrance Esmond – producer and music executive, known as Street Symphony
- Dr. Forrest Harris – president, American Baptist College
NMAAM’s Awards Gala is just one of the highlights of an exciting fall season with a lineup of exhibits, educational programs, and community events dedicated to preserving and celebrating music genres created and inspired by African Americans.
In the Main Gallery, the exhibit ‘Black Music. Black Life’ runs through December 1 showcasing the work of Dr. David Ikard, who explores the resilience, intelligence, and dynamism integral to the Black experience and music.
On August 31, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, NMAAM presented ‘Hip-Hop Meets Bomba Music from Puerto Rico.’ This unique event brings together hip-hop artists from Memphis and Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba performers for a dynamic cultural exchange, fostering new connections within the African Diaspora.
On September 17, distinguished Vanderbilt University professor Alice Randall unveiled ‘Uncovering Roots: Alice Randall’s My Black Country.’
NMAAM’s second annual Institutional Summit, which is now taking place, focuses on education and preservation. The two-day event features live performances, interactive discussions, artist talkbacks, and panels.
Recurring events such as heArtBeat Saturdays and the Sound in Cinema series further enrich the season’s offerings, celebrating African American music culture in an engaging atmosphere and exploring the role of music in film.
