Why Black Music Month Matters More Than Ever 

We’re only six months into 2025 and we’ve exhaustingly seen more divisive change sweep across the nation than anything that seems even remotely positive or healing for the people. 

Within his first 100 days back in office, President Trump released over 140 executive orders, creating widespread disruption across the federal  government, dismantling what’s described as “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. 

The so-called “positive” outcomes Trump is promoting with this change: thousands of jobs and federal positions terminated, equity-focused related grants erased, and programs meant to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace eliminated.  

The White House has even gone as far as to describe Biden-influenced DEI efforts as “illegal” and “immoral” discrimination programs, and claims that it was forced onto the federal government.

Unfortunately the icing on top, this order is paying organizations who heavily rely on federal funding dust. They now have to forcefully cancel programs responsible for impacting lives and celebrating the rich diversity and real-life circumstances of everyday Americans.

Federal agencies can no longer acknowledge what the Department of Defense refers to as “identity months.”  This means funding for celebrations like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month (to name a few) are being cut left and right.  In New Jersey, for instance, a local NAACP chapter had to go to the lengths of moving its Juneteenth event off federal property because of concerns it would be in violation of the executive order. 

Despite all this erasure, the month of June marks Black Music Month, and this time around, honoring the moment feels like an act of both honor and resistance. Coming together to celebrate as artists, curators, and community tastemakers not only keeps the spirit of Black Music Month alive, but also, amplifies our voices that have been long underrepresented and counted out. 

History of Black Music Month 

Black Music Month, originally founded in 1979 by music industry legend Kenny Gamble and formally recognized by late President Jimmy Carter, was created to highlight and uplift the impact of Black artists across genres and the world.

Regardless of trying to silence us, Black culture has always been interconnected and serves as the blueprint for so many musical genres. From Gospel, to Country, to Rock and Roll, Black musicians have shaped American culture and continue to be an anchor.

“Beginning with James Buchanan’s administration in the 1850s, black entertainers have held a prime spot among White House performers. Their contribution to the musical history of the White House has been a rich and generally little known segment of American cultural life,” mentioned by the White House Historical Association.   

“Black entertainers in the 19th century established a grand tradition of performance that evolved to embrace every variety of music from opera to gospel and from jazz to symphonic.” 

US Presidents Supporting Black Music Month

The first official proclamation recognizing June as Black Music month was made by President Bill Clinton. Since 2000, each president has kept up with the tradition annually signing a presidential proclamation to recognize June as Black Music Month.

In 2017, 2018, and 2020, President Trump even proclaimed June as “African American Appreciation Month,” to stamp African American contributions to music. 

These moves make today’s realities feel super puzzling, but at the same time, they’re also not that surprising given American history, and Trump’s misleading narrative of America’s failing economy.

Despite his previous proclamations, Trump’s administration’s current actions seem to stand on the opposite end. How can you claim to celebrate Black culture in one breath and then systematically erase the structures that support and uplift it the next? 

Defunding programs that spotlight marginalized voices and covering up evidence-backed historical footprints all send a weird message: visibility matters only when it’s convenient. 

2025 Black Music Month 

Even though identity-based celebrations are being restricted and we’re falling back into anti-minority American standards, communities across the nation are still actively honoring Black Music Month. With all at stake, participating in this observance shouldn’t solely serve as a feel-good moment, but an invitation for Black artists and the community to be vigilant and inspired to keep our light shining on the long-entangled contributions we’ve made to American culture. 

As programs disappear and public acknowledgements fade, it’s up to us to help protect the narrative. Honoring Black Music Month means honoring the voices that shaped this country even when they wanted to count us out.

We may not need permission to show up with pride to celebrate this month, but what we need is continuity–showing up and turning the volume up beyond Black Music Month because it matters more than ever.