From Legacy to Global Impact: Inaugural bamX-Black Music Week Launches in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA (March 3, 2026) — Atlanta will take center stage this May with the launch of bamX — Black Music Week, a citywide cultural experience celebrating the legacy, global influence, and future of Black American music. Taking place May 25–June 2, 2026, the inaugural week coincides with Africa Day, Memorial Day, and Black Music Month, uniting culture, commerce, and community in the city widely regarded as the modern epicenter of Black music.

Presented by the Black American Music Association (BAMA) in partnership with UNITE ATLANTA, Black Music Week will convene artists, executives, entrepreneurs, educators, civic leaders, and innovators for a multi-day convergence of performances, conferences, honors, and industry programming.

Three flagship events anchor the week:

● Jack the Rapper “Remix” Conference (May 29) — A revival of the influential gathering that once united the most powerful voices in Black music across radio, promotion, and business.

● Black American Music Awards — BAMAwards (May 31) — A premier celebration honoring excellence across generations of Black music creators and executives.

● Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony (June 1) — Marking five years of global honorees with permanent tributes to legendary architects of Black American music.

Additional programming will include curated showcases, industry workshops, youth initiatives, health activations, technology forums, and high-level networking experiences designed to generate cultural impact and economic opportunity.

Created as more than a series of events, bamX is structured as an ongoing cultural platform connecting legacy and innovation to education, workforce development, and ownership pathways for emerging creatives. Strategically aligned with Black Music Month, the initiative reinforces Atlanta’s historic and continuing influence on global sound, culture, and business.

“Atlanta has long been a global hub for Black music, culture and creative innovation, and it’s fitting that the inaugural Black Music Week launches here during Black Music Month,” said Sheretha Bell, Senior Vice President, marketing and brand strategy, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This foundational celebration honors legacy while investing in the next generation. We’re thrilled to welcome this industry gathering, connecting community, visitors and global audiences to foster meaningful connections and learn from one another, all while rooted in culture.”

Atlanta’s selection as host city reflects decades of impact across hip-hop, R&B, gospel, and contemporary cultural movements that shape audiences worldwide. With UNITE ATLANTA serving as the civic backbone, bamX aims to align public, private, and creative sectors to drive tourism, media visibility, and long-term economic growth tied to Black creative excellence.

“Black American music is a global force, but sustaining its future requires intentional investment in education, infrastructure, and access,” said Michael Mauldin, Co-Founder and CEO of the Black American Music Association and creator of bamX. “By connecting pioneers, executives, and young creators in one ecosystem, we ensure that Black music continues to thrive not only as an art form, but as a sustainable economic engine. Atlanta is the natural home for that mission, and Black Music Week is the catalyst.”

A major international component of the inaugural week includes collaboration with South Africa through Veromo Enterprise and the launch of the Mzansi-Atlanta Creative Industry Expo, strengthening cultural and economic ties between Africa and the diaspora at a moment of heightened global attention on Atlanta.

“With South Africa competing in Atlanta during the World Cup, this collaboration represents a powerful convergence of sports, music, and international creative exchange,” said Veronica Modieleng, Founder of Veromo Enterprise. “It signals unity between Africa and the diaspora while advancing economic empowerment and creative ownership.”

Organizers describe bamX — Black Music Week as both a celebration and a long-term cultural commitment. By bringing together artists, executives, institutions, brands, youth, and global partners under one coordinated platform, the initiative aims to establish a national model for how Black Music Month can generate lasting opportunity and worldwide influence.

“Atlanta is the heartbeat of Black music and culture. The partnership with BAMX and 96.1 The Beat for Black Music Week allows us to honor its legacy while advancing the future of the culture worldwide. This is an exciting moment in time in Atlanta and around the world!,” says Vladimir Scott, Program Director, 96.1 The Beat