National Museum Of African American Music Looks Back On First Year Of Operation

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) recently celebrated its first year of accomplishments, partnerships and milestones. NMAAM opened its doors on MLK Day, Jan. 18, 2021, in Nashville.

In the museum’s year-in-review highlight video, President and CEO of NMAAM, Henry Beecher Hicks, III spoke to the organization that has welcomed over 100,000 visitors, including many world-renowned recording artists such as Earth Wind & Fire, H.E.R., Bobby Brown, Garth Brooks and more, since it opened. In 2021, the museum also served over 43,000 students across the country through online programming.

NMAAM also hosted its inaugural Black Music Month celebration on June 19, or Juneteenth weekend in 2021. Members and guests experienced a museum dedication, Black Music Summit and seventh annual Celebration of Legends event honoring Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and The Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Throughout the video, Hicks shed light on the Nissan-sponsored NMAAM free days, which opens the doors free of charge to guests every Wednesday in February for Black History Month. He also addressed future programming for Historically Black College and University students, such as Fine Tuning: Masterclass Series for Aspiring Artists and a Black Music Business Certification Program.

NMAAM serves as the premier global destination for music lovers of all generations to learn, inspire and educate people on the many contributions Black artists have made to American culture and music.