Congressional Democrats Propose June as Black Music Month

‘Black music is the soundtrack of our struggle and joy,’ says Rep. Shontel Brown.

Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) speaks during a news conference with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and fellow House Democrats outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 27, 2023. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A group of more than 40 Democrats have signed onto a proposed resolution to designate the month of June as Black Music Month while inviting Americans to participate, according to a June 5 announcement.

Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) introduced the resolution that all music, including music from the United States and other parts of the world that range from heavy metal to Negro spirituals, has been influenced and molded by black music in ways that “transcend genres and styles.”