Today, the Black American Music Association (BAMA) and Georgia Entertainment Caucus (GEC) announced the names of the twelve inaugural inductees for the new Atlanta landmark, The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
Amongst the honorees are Beyoncé (Mainstream Female), Usher (Mainstream Male), Missy Elliot (Hip Hop Female), Outkast (Hip Hop Male), Michael Jackson (Legacy Artists), Sean Love Combs (Mainstream Mogul), Shirley Caesar (Gospel Female), and Kirk Franklin (Gospel Male).
The Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame was announced back in February along with its chosen foundational inductees, Quincy Jones, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, and Otis Redding, and was designed “to honor iconic individuals and organizations that have impacted Black culture and community alongside those who continue to lead us into the future,” in time for Black Music Month in June.
It’s being installed in the historic downtown Atlanta area on the sidewalks of Martin Luther King Jr. and Northside and will be unveiled at a formal induction ceremony on June 17.
“Our first round of inductees includes many of my colleagues, and I am excited to celebrate their vast contributions to the preservation of Black Music and Entertainment,” stated one of GEC’s founders, Catherine Brewton. “The BMEWOF crown jewel of excellence emblems— designed by renowned artist D.L. Warfield and created in collaboration with sculptor and historian Ed Dwight—will be housed in front of the Mercedes Benz Dome, one of Atlanta’s most historic landmarks.”
Atlanta has given us many of the greats in music. So, it’s only right that they get rightfully recognized with their own Walk of Fame. Congratulations to all of the inductees! We can’t wait to see what the ceremony will be like and who will be honored next.
What do you think about the twelve inaugural inductees? Let us know by leaving a reaction below or send us your thoughts on Twitter at @celebsecrets.
