CMA Foundation Partners With NMAAM
• The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and the CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), have announced a partnership that will bring the museum’s collaborative project, Music Legends & Heroes, to select high schools within Metro Nashville Public Schools. As part of the Music Legends & Heroes program, several musicians including Country artists BRELAND, Willie Jones, Reyna Roberts and Tiera will mentor students, sharing their histories and answering questions about the industry. Focusing on engaging the students in learning the impact of African Americans on music and songwriting, the program encourages leadership, teamwork and mentorship, and will allow students to take a leadership role in organizing and implementing a live virtual performance element at their school.
“We are thrilled to partner with the National Museum of African American Music, which has already become an important fixture in the downtown Nashville landscape,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “NMAAM’s mission to educate the world, preserve the legacy and celebrate the role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack goes beyond any single genre. We are delighted to work alongside Henry Hicks and his team on the Music Legends & Heroes program, which will provide students the opportunity to learn about all genres of music.”
Since 2006, the CMA Foundation has invested more than $12 million in Metro Nashville Public Schools through a variety of music education programs, all aimed to support the 86,000 students by providing access and participation in a high-quality music education. Music Legends & Heroes will conclude in June with a songwriting contest for participants to write a song with their class based on Black history and Black musicians, artists or activists. The program is expected to reach more than 200 students across Nashville.
[Photo credits, (l-r): BRELAND: Alaina Mullin; Willie Jones: Gordon Clark; Reyna Roberts: Courtesy of The GreenRoom PR; Tiera: Kamren Kennedy]
