NMAAM To Host Black Music Month Celebrations Throughout June
The National Museum Of African American Music will host “We Are Music City” celebrations with four events throughout the month of June, paying homage to the 150th anniversary of Nashville earning its “Music City” moniker when the Fisk Jubilee Singers captivated Queen Victoria over 150 years ago.
NMAAM will kick off Black Music Month by partnering with CMA Fest for “Been Country: Black Roots in Rhythm” on June 6, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.. The day features a fireside chat with Grammy-nominees The War And Treaty, unveiling a new exhibition showcasing artifacts from their acclaimed career. The event also features performances by emerging artists from Origins Music Group and a VIP reception featuring Randy Savvy of the Compton Cowboys. Throughout the day, NMAAM will serve as a hub for African American country artists, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to preserving the complete country music story.
On June 13, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., NMAAM will host “Soul of the 90s: An Ode to Hip-Hop & R&B,” highlighting the museum’s partnership with the R&B Foundation, which provides emergency aid to legacy artists. The evening features a fireside chat with iconic producer Teddy Riley and honorees Zhaneì.
NMAAM’s annual Juneteenth Community Day expands to two locations this year. On June 19, the celebration begins at NMAAM from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free museum admission, then continues from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Fort Negley where NMAAM will host a pop-up museum at the Juneteenth615 annual celebration. The day includes a special panel discussion and documentary screening of Through Their Words: How Voices Became Policy and Policy Became Progress.
The celebration concludes on June 26, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with “Amplify Lounge: Nashville’s Next Stage,” a preview of NMAAM’s innovative performance venue concept launching in 2026. The pop-up event features Kenny Sharp and a mixology class by Pourz Bar School.
The celebration coincides with the museum’s groundbreaking Jubilation! exhibition, NMAAM’s first-ever traveling exhibit celebrating the Fisk Jubilee Singers
Additionally, each Tuesday in June, all youth under the age of 18 will gain free admission to NMAAM through the museum’s “Soundtrack for All” program and visitors can experience the Rhythm & Whiskey combo tour with Nearest Green Distillery, Tennessee’s premier Black-owned distillery, every second Friday in June, July and August.
Tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities for all events are available here.
