Black musicians and industry veterans are holding a conversation about race in Americana music during a panel titled Black Equity in Americana: A Conversation on Thursday, August 20 at 4 p.m. ET. The panel will be hosted virtually via Zoom. The panel will stream on Facebook via the Americana Music Association's Facebook page.
"For nearly three centuries, Americana music has celebrated the soulful, multi-ethnic, and communal essence of the American experience. However, throughout the country's — and by extension — the genre's history, minimal representation of Black artists has been a constant," the event press release reads. "Given that gospel, blues, and soul are intrinsic to Americana as a musical genre, this has too long been a problematic issue and must be remedied."
Read More: Jake Blount Traces the Black Roots of Country Music on 'Spider Tales' [Interview]
Panelists include blues artist Adia Victoria, Muddy Roots Music Festival Organizer Jason Galaz, singer-songwriter Kamara Thomas, artist and Louisiana Red Hot Records General Manager and Head of A&R Lilli Lewis and musician, theologian and activist Rev. Sekou.
The panel will be moderated by music journalist Markus K. Dowling.
According to a press release, the panel is "aimed at advocating for a more significant presence for Black artists and industry leaders as stakeholders more broadly represented in Americana's present and future. "
An additional Black Equity panel will be held during the Americana Music Association's Thriving Roots Conference , which runs from September 16 through 18, 2020.
Now Watch: 7 African-American Singers Who Shaped Country Music
