In celebration of Juneteenth and the United States’ semi-quincentennial, Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is hosting “America 250 Celebration: From 1619 to America250” on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Chelsea Studios in New York City.
The evening will feature a fireside chat with Pulitzer Prize-winning scholar and author of “The 1619 Project,” Nikole Hannah-Jones, and BMAC co-founder, president, and CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. Together, Hannah-Jones and Stiggers will discuss the topic of “Redefining Patriotism” and reflect on the Black community’s centuries-long and challenging history in the United States, what being patriotic means as Black Americans, and how the community can forge forward with reclaiming not only the culture but the ideals the United States ought to stand on.
“As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a responsibility to ask not only where we’ve been, but who will define where we’re going. These artists are more than talented musicians…they
are storytellers, culture makers, and architects of the future,” says Stiggers. “Their voices reflect the richness, diversity, and evolution of Black music in America. Through this initiative, BMAC is investing in creators who remind us that music remains one of our nation’s greatest forces for connection, truth, and progress.”
The evening will also include special performances from the BMAC x America250 Voices of Tomorrow program, a nationwide youth talent search and music collaboration initiative rooted in truth, powered by legacy, and driven by the next generation of voices in music. Grant recipients include Dani Wright, DJ Stussy, Jastin Martin, RAHBI, and The Reasn. At a moment when America is being asked to reflect on its history and redefine its future, BMAC called on these artists to step forward and use their voices to tell the truth, challenge the present, and inspire what is possible.
To support this mission, each artist received a $10,000 BMAC Music Maker Grant, along with a year of mentorship, development, and access to BMAC programming and industry connections, including the opportunity for a major distribution deal. Additionally, BMAC has commissioned music producer Adam Blackstone to reimagine the classic uplifting anthem “Optimistic,” originally recorded by the Sounds of Blackness, and produced by the legendary production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Gary Hines, as a part of the BMAC x America250 initiative. The song will be performed by the five BMAC x America250 Voices of Tomorrow grant recipients and some of today’s biggest recording artists, and will be released in early July.
The 6th annual BMAC Gala will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA. The gala will celebrate the artists, executives, activists, and brands who are unapologetically leveraging their platforms to advance equity, inspire action, and ignite lasting change. The evening will also spotlight BMAC’s efforts in reshaping the music industry’s approach to social justice, proving that culture can be a driver of systemic change. More details, including this year’s honorees, are to be announced in the coming weeks.