Gathering in Atlanta to announce the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame inaugural class are (l-r) Head of Artist & Talent Relations for Spotify Chaka Zulu, GEC Founder Catherine Brewton, Ludacris, BAM Founder Michael T. Mauldin, GEC Founder and State Representative Erica Thomas and BAM Founder Demmette Guidry

The Black American Music Association (BAM) and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus (GEC) have announced the inaugural class of nominees for the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame (see list below).

Created by Michael Mauldin and Demmette Guidry, founders of BAM, and State Representative Erica Thomas and Catherine Brewton, founders of GEC, the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, located in Atlanta, will honor individuals and organizations that have had an impact on Black culture and community.

The nominees were announced at a reception held at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta and hosted by V-103’s Kenny Burns. Quincy Jones, James Brown and Otis Redding were honored as foundational inductees. The event featured a medley performed by R&B artist Jac Ross and a surprise appearance by CeeLo Green, who sang "Jesus Is Love" and read his new poem, “To Know the Difference Between Being Black and Dark," written for the occasion.

Grammy winners Ludacris and Dallas Austin, Stellar Award winner and presenter for the evening Isaac Carree and Spotify Head of Artist & Talent Relations Chaka Zulu were among the evening's special guests.

Also in attendance were Georgia House of Representatives members Debra Bazemore, Calbin Smyre, Miriam Paris, William Boddie, Derick Jackson, CaMia Hopson and Park Cannon, as well as Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown, Atlanta School Board member Syntel Brown and U.S. Congressman Kwanza Hall.

The first class of nominees for the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame will be inducted in June, Black Music Month, at a ceremony in Atlanta.

Mainstream Male
Charlie Wilson
Pharrell
Usher
Maxwell
Babyface

Mainstream Female
Beyoncé
Janet Jackson
Mariah Carey
Mary J. Blige
Anita Baker

Gospel
The Clark Sisters
Kirk Franklin
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Shirley Caesar
Donald Lawrence

Male Hip-Hop
Nas
Outkast
Run DMC
LL Cool J
Public Enemy

Female Hip-Hop
Lauryn Hill
Missy Elliott
MC Lyte
Lil Kim
Da Brat

Music & Entertainment Mogul
Sean Combs
Dr. Dre
Queen Latifah
Will Smith
Jay-Z

Legacy Artists (1922–1979)
Lionel Richie
Diana Ross
Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder
Chaka Khan

Foundational Inductees
Quincy Jones
James Brown
Otis Redding