June is Black Music Month: BPL Executive Director Tribute to Marvin Gaye

By Floyd Council, Executive Director of the  Birmingham Public Library 

African-American Music Appreciation Month is an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was initiated as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7, 1979, decreed that June would be the month of black music.

In 2009, the commemoration was given its current name by President Barack Obama. In his 2016 proclamation, Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country "to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country's enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all. "(see wiki)."

In celebration of Black Music Month 2020, I would like to recognize the untimely death of George Floyd with a weekly tribute to black music, musicians, and iconic recording artist who have contributed to the impact of Civil rights and social justice in America.

Marvin Gaye

This week, we celebrate the life and black music of Marvin Gaye. After all these years, "What's going on" still carries the impact of the post civil rights era with the soulful Motown sound. You can discover books, music, and video about Marvin at www.cobpl.org.

For more information about the music of Marvin Gaye, click here https://www.biography.com/musician/marvin-gaye