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Black American Music Summit
The 3rd Annual Black American Music Summit will be hosted by Folk Alliance International in Montreal, Quebec, Canada February 19-23, 2025. BAMS is a multi-day gathering for Black delegates at FAI to enjoy affinity based programming and performance showcases.
The goal of the summit is to foster a sense of community and belonging amongst Black artists to broaden their presence in the folk music ecology. Representation matters, as does a safe space for folks to gather and collectively identify pathways to success and candidly discuss faced obstacles.
This convening will make space for Black artists and industry alike to offer each other guidance, tools, and empowerment, through panel discussions and community dialogue. Our theme for this year's Black American Music Summit is Following the Drinking Gourd: Liberation Through Hope and Inspiration.
This year the summit will include two daily sessions Thu-Sat, with Affinity space in the morning and public conversations in the late afternoon. Panelists and facilitators include Lady A, Tiara Amar, Bertrand Evans-Taylor, Jenn Jeffers, Kaia Kater, Ann Powers, Lisa Sanders, Shakura S'Aida, Lara Supan, Brandi Waller-Pace, and Jada Watson, with a welcome message from Dom Flemons.
*****VIEW PDF GUIDE*****
Schedule
SALON 2
AFFINITY PROGRAMMING:
Wednesday, 2/19
3-4pm - Welcome and History of Black Canadian Roots Music w/ Dom Flemons, Brooke Blackburn & Shakura S'Aida
In this meet and greet & BAMS 2025 orientation session, attendees will be welcomed by a virtual Greeting from "The American Songster" Dom Flemons, will get information about this year's programming features, and participate in a conversation between Canadian performing artists Brooke Blackburn and Shakura S'Aida about the history of Black roots music in Canada from Canadian musicians. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
Thursday, 2/20
10:30am-12pm - Building Our Own Tables w/ Jenn Jeffers (Dusky Waters), Brandi Waller-Pace, & Lady A. Moderated by Shakura S'Aida
With an eye towards cultivating equity, this session explores the work of Black artists creating spaces for others. The panel will explore the many paths to creating opportunity with community organizers who are building spaces fit for greatness. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
12:30-2pm - BAMS Cafe ft. Jonathan Woods & Valmy. Hosted by Teena May
Connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow artists and industry professionals from the African Diaspora. This session provides space to network, share music, and build community. Enjoy live performances, engage in conversation over coffee, and find opportunities to catch up, co-write, or strategize your next big project. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
Friday, 2/21
10:30am-12pm - BAMS Songwriters Workshop w/ Lady Nade & Lisa Sanders
Join the BAMS community in expanding your songwriting toolkit. Take part in this workshop facilitated by songwriting veterans and enjoy the richness of creating in community. Those who participate in this workshop will have the opportunity to present their new song(s) during the Saturday night BAMS private showcase. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
12:30-2pm - BAMS Cafe ft.CRYS, Amelia Ray, & Teena May. Hosted by Lady A
Connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow artists and industry professionals from the African Diaspora. This session provides space to network, share music, and build community. Enjoy live performances, engage in conversation over coffee, and find opportunities to catch up, co-write, or strategize your next big project. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
Saturday, 2/22
10:30am-12pm - Speaking from Experience w/ Tarika Dean, Cecile Doo-Kingue, Reggie Garrett, & Lisa Sanders. Moderated by Kejo Buchanan
Careers aren't built overnight. Witness a conversation amongst some of our community's giants as we learn about the triumphs and challenges of their long, rewarding and often unpredictable paths. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
12:30-2pm - BAMS Cafe ft. Courtney Ariel, & A Strange Bird. Hosted by Mia Borders
Connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow artists and industry professionals from the African Diaspora. This session provides space to network, share music, and build community. Enjoy live performances, engage in conversation over coffee, and find opportunities to catch up, co-write, or strategize your next big project. This will be an affinity session for members of the African Diaspora.
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Thursday, 2/20
3:30-4 pm - A Story and A Song ft. Crys Matthews and Reggie Garrett & Christine Gunn
Join BAMS featured songwriters for a unique opportunity to engage with the power of music as a vessel for storytelling, identity, and community. Selected artists will share songs that hold deep personal meaning, weaving together storytelling and music to illuminate their lived experiences. This session is open to all conference attendees.
4-5 pm - BAMS Open Mic Hosted by Bertrand Evans-Taylor
Come and see what the Black Folk Community has to offer in this open mic session,
5-6:30 pm - Is DEI Dead? The Road Ahead w/ Ann Powers, Lara Supan, & Kejo Buchanan. Moderated by Bertrand Evans-Taylor
DEI has earned the ire of the most newly elected U.S. Presidential administration, and each industry has had to choose how to respond to this challenege. Join us to talk with Folk music industry leaders to gain insight on how the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity matters are being weighed against public opinion and federal pressure. This session is open to all conference attendees.
Friday, 2/21
3:30-5 pm - Shakura S'Aida's Authentic Stage Craft Workshop
Authentic Stage Craft will help artists become skilled in staying focused, grounded and authentic on stage while also delivering a dynamic performance. The session will focus on: lyrical interpretation, connecting with audiences, stage presence, vocal power and expression and team work. This workshop series is ideal for emerging and mid-career artists, business professionals and all curious bystanders. This is an interactive event, please come prepared to participate.
5-6:30pm - What Do the Numbers Say? The Realities Faced by the Music Industry's Most Valuable Resource w/ Tiara Amar & Jada Watson. Moderated by Jenn Jeffers (Dusky Waters)
What forces are shaping subsistence amongst working-class musicians? Where do Black Americana, Country and Folk artists fit into the commercial arm of the industry? Gain a data-driven view of the music industry as it stands, examine the structural challenges artists face, and gain advocacy tools for meaningful change. This session is open to all conference attendees.
Saturday, 2/22
3:30-4 pm - A Story and A Song ft. Cecile Doo-Kingue & Lady Nade
Join BAMS featured songwriters for a unique opportunity to engage with the power of music as a vessel for storytelling, identity, and community. Selected artists will share songs that hold deep personal meaning, weaving together storytelling and music to illuminate their lived experiences. This session is open to all conference attendees.
4-5pm - Folk & Roots from the Black Canadian Lens. A Conversation w/ Cecile Doo-Kingue & Angelique Francis
Bringing the first day's theme to the present, attend an open conversation by and about the life and work of Black Canadian star artists active in the contemporary Folk and Roots community.
5-6:30pm - The Road to Success w/ Bertrand Evans-Taylor
What does it take for Black artists to succeed? How is it different than their white counterparts? This presentation and panel discussion will delve into the crucial elements of a supportive environment, community building, artistic excellence and business aptitude that synergize into a robust and longstanding professional experience for Black creatives.
PRIVATE SHOWCASES - ROOM 808
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
10:30 PM Kelly Bado
11:00 PM Lady A
11:30 PM Brandi Waller-Pace
12:00 AM Brooke Blackburn
12:30 AM Jonathan Woods
1:00 AM Lisa Sanders & Brown Sugar
1:30 AM Open Mic
THURSDAY NIGHT
10:30 PM Fort Worth African American Music Festival (FWAAMFest) Song Circle ft. Brandi Waller-Pace, Amelia Ray, Valmy, & Nelson Williams
11:30 PM Dusky Waters
12:00 AM Shakura S'Aida
12:30 AM Élage Diouf
1:00 AM Crys Matthews
1:30 AM Open Mic
FRIDAY NIGHT
10:30 PM BlackAmericana Fest Song Circle ft. Dusky Waters, Louie Lou Louis, Rachel Maxann, & Marcella Simien
11:30 PM Mia Borders
12:00 AM Lady Nade
12:30 AM Louie Lou Louis
1:00 AM Buggy Jive
1:30 AM Open Mic
SATURDAY NIGHT
10:30 PM Songwriting Workshop Song Circle
11:30 PM Rachel Maxann
12:00 AM Angelique Francis
12:30 AM Teena May
1:00 AM Reggie Garrett & Christine Gunn
1:30 AM Open Mic
To register for this event, please complete this form. If you have any questions, or require assistance in completing this form, please contact bamusicmovement@gmail.com.
