As America Celebrates 250 Years, One Of Its Greatest Creations Is Black Music

As America prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence and another Fourth of July, it's worth reflecting on one of the nation's greatest contributions to the world: Black music.

Born in America, created by Black Americans and embraced across every corner of the globe, Black music has become one of the country's most defining cultural exports. It has transformed industries, generated billions of dollars in economic activity and shaped the sound, style and spirit of generations worldwide.

As Black Music Month reaches its final Sunday, its co-founder, Dyana Williams, offers a reminder that the celebration was never intended to last just 30 days.

"It is one of America's greatest creations," Williams tells POLARIS, of Black music, describing it as both an artistic triumph and an economic powerhouse. 

Williams helped establish Black Music Month alongside Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright through the Black Music Association, with a mission that extended far beyond recognizing hit records. The goal, she explains, was to unite the Black music community around the understanding that it is both an unparalleled cultural force and one of the world's most significant economic engines. 

"Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright and myself established June as Black Music Month, and this was done under the auspices of the Black Music Association, which Kenny Gamble, my ex, created as an opportunity to galvanize members of the music community. For us to recognize that not only are we a powerful cultural force, but we are an economic entity."

"President Jimmy Carter hosted the first Black Music Month event at the encouragement of the Black Music Association, June 7th, 1979" Williams continued. "About 200 members of the music community, black music community came together in a picnic atmosphere on the South Lawn. I actually had the honor of sitting with Rosalyn Carter, First Lady then, and President Jimmy Carter and he declared June Black Music Month that day."

Nearly five decades later, that vision has only become more profound. From gospel, jazz and blues to soul, hip-hop and R&B, Black music continues to define popular culture, influence global commerce and serve as one of America's most enduring gifts to the world.

As fireworks prepare to light the skies this Fourth of July, Black Music Month reminds us that some of America's greatest achievements aren't built from steel or stone, they're built from rhythm, resilience, creativity and culture. And while June may be coming to an end, the celebration of Black music was always meant to continue every day of the year.

"Every American president since Bill Clinton has signed a proclamation declaring June Black Music Month and an opportunity for us to celebrate you, me, the people who are the consumers of the music, publicist, stylist, engineers, songwriters, not just the people out front that we love, but everybody who's part of the machinery that contributes to this multi-billion dollar business."