Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022

Proclamation 10407 of May 31, 2022

Black Music Appreciation Month, 2022

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Music has the power to lift our spirits, comfort our
souls, and inspire our hearts. It gives a voice to the
human spirit, creating a common language that unites
people and breaks down barriers. Perhaps no music has
had as profound and powerful an impact in shaping
America's musical score as Black music. Intricately
woven into the tapestry of our Nation, Black music
enriches our lives and pushes the boundaries of
creativity. Throughout the decades and across the
country, Black music has fueled a myriad of genres--
from rhythm and blues to jazz, gospel, country, rap and
more. This month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy
of Black music on American culture and recognize the
indelible impact it continues to have on the world.

For generations, Black music has conveyed the hopes and
struggles of a resilient people--spirituals mourning
the original sin of slavery and later heralding freedom
from bondage, hard truths told through jazz and the
sounds of Motown during the Civil Rights movement, and
hip-hop and rhythm and blues that remind us of the work
that still lies ahead. The music created by Black
artists continues to influence musicians of all
persuasions, entertain people of all backgrounds, and
shape the story of our Nation.

During Black Music Appreciation Month, we honor Black
musicians, singers, and contributors to the music
industry--past and present--whose innovative talents
unite us in joy as much as in sorrow and healing. We
pay homage to the musical legends whose artistic
expressions help build community, generate empathy, and
foster a sense of shared identity. And we celebrate
Black artists who have used their songs to stand up to
injustice, fight for equality, and reflect a mirror on
society--reminding us all of our enduring obligation to
deliver the promise of America for all Americans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of
the United States of America, by virtue of the
authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as
Black Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public
officials, educators, and all the people of the United
States to observe this month by honoring Black
Musicians and raising awareness and appreciation of
Black music.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
sixth.