Black Music Week concluded after nine days of industry programming, community engagement, and honors recognizing major contributors to Black music and culture.
Jimmy Jam, Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin, Anthony Hamilton, and Terry Lewis appeared on the Black American Music Awards red carpet.
Photo credit: CHIL
The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony, originally planned as a major highlight of Atlanta’s inaugural Black Music Week, was postponed after FIFA-related site preparations restricted access to the venue area.
Organizers said fencing connected to FIFA activities limited access to portions of the Walk of Fame site, making it difficult to properly host the ceremony as scheduled. The postponement affected plans to honor artists, cultural leaders, and dignitaries whose work has contributed to Atlanta’s global influence in music, entertainment, and culture.
The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame remains an important cultural landmark in Atlanta, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped Black music and entertainment across generations.
Although the induction ceremony was postponed, Black Music Week continued with a full schedule of events focused on music, business, culture, wellness, education, and community engagement. The week brought together artists, executives, entrepreneurs, students, educators, elected officials, and music supporters from across the country.
Programming included panel discussions, fireside chats, networking events, showcases, community activations, wellness sessions, and educational forums centered on the history, influence, and future of Black American music.
A key event during the week was the Black American Music Awards, held at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College. The program was hosted by AJ Calloway and co-hosted by Michael Mauldin. More than 400 artists, executives, community leaders, and cultural influencers attended, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
The awards ceremony recognized several major figures in music. Jermaine Dupri received the Jam & Lewis Global Creative Impact Award from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Kenny Lattimore received the Chairman’s Award. Anthony Hamilton was honored with the Voice of Soul Award. Jagged Edge received the Power of Soul Award. T.I. was recognized with the Song of the Year Award for Let ’Em Know. Legendary groups BRICK, CAMEO, and The S.O.S. Band received the Legacy Foundational Honor.
The ceremony also highlighted Atlanta’s continuing role in shaping Black music and culture, while introducing the Mzansi-Atlanta partnership as part of a broader effort to connect creative communities globally.
Black Music Week events included the Mzansi-Atlanta Creative Industry Expo, the Unite Atlanta press conference, the Atlanta Mayor’s Fireside Chat with Mayor Andre Dickens and Jermaine Dupri, the Jack The Rapper REMIX Conference, The Underground Mixer, the Health Matters Summit, Off The Record Happy Hour at The Gathering Spot, the Black American Music Awards, and Dot Connectors: Tech Meets Music.
The Atlanta Mayor’s Fireside Chat featured Mayor Andre Dickens and Jermaine Dupri in a conversation moderated by Ryan Wilson, Founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot. The discussion focused on Atlanta’s cultural legacy, economic impact, and future as a center for Black creativity.
The Jack The Rapper REMIX Conference featured conversations with industry professionals including Ray Daniels, Melissa Mitchell, Needlz, Damizza, Craig King, Lou Grimes, Henny Tha BIZNESS, Nicole Giacco, Canon, David Linton, DeAsia Paige, and others. Topics included artist development, media, ownership, branding, and innovation.
Dot Connectors: Tech Meets Music brought together music executives, legal experts, financial professionals, educators, and technology leaders to discuss the relationship between music and emerging technology. Featured participants included producers Zaytoven, Troy Taylor, and Carlos “Los Da Mystro” McKinney.
Black Music Week was supported through collaborations with Unite Atlanta, bamX, the Black American Music Association, the Black American Music Foundation, MACIE, Milk & Cookies, Core Entertainment, Sage, Retreat by The Gathering Spot, the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center, VEROMO Enterprise, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife, Women in Music Atlanta, Discover ATL, Jack The Rapper, Rap Plug, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Health Matters Summit, Greg Street, Shanti Das, David Manuel, April Love, BMI, and other partners.
Organizers said Black Music Week served as a platform to honor the history of Black music, recognize current contributions, and support future opportunities in the creative economy. The week reinforced Atlanta’s role as a major center for music, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation.
Plans for the rescheduled Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony, future bamX programming, and Black Music Week 2027 are expected to be announced at a later date.
