ATLANTA – State Representative Erica Thomas (D-Austell) today announced that the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame has installed the “Crown Jewel of Excellence” emblems for its inaugural class. Co-founded by Rep. Thomas, the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame is located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in front of the Mercedes Benz Stadium, and its emblems spotlight a cross-section of some of America’s most influential Black artists and entertainers.
“As the City of Atlanta continues to grow and change, these emblems will permanently reflect the influence that Black people have had in weaving the city and country’s cultural fabric,” said Rep. Thomas. “The stories of Black success need to be told and preserved. The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame honors Black artists, but it also stands as a reminder that our people cannot be subdued, silenced or left out of the ‘American Dream.’ I will never forget standing side by side with these industry leaders as Black legacies were cemented into Atlanta’s history forever.”
The installation took place today, Thursday, Sept. 23 and was attended by the Walk of Fame founders: Rep. Thomas and Catherine Brewton, co-chairs of the Georgia Entertainment Caucus (GEC); and Demette Guidry and Michael T. Mauldin, co-founders of the Black American Music Association (BAMA). The Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance to approve the installation of the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame in June 2020.
Emblems were installed for 12 inaugural inductees with several designations honoring their contributions to the industry. James Brown, Otis Redding, Quincy D. Jones and Stevie Wonder received the Foundational Inductee designation. They are joined by the following artists/designations: Michael Jackson, Legacy Artist; Sean Love Combs, Mainstream Mogul; Shirley Caesar, Gospel Female; Kirk Franklin, Gospel Male; Missy Elliott, Hip Hop Female; Outkast, Hip Hop Male; Beyoncé, Mainstream Female; and Usher Raymond IV, Mainstream Male.
Rep. Thomas also announced that the Walk of Fame founders will continue to expand the installation to also recognize other categories of music and entertainment, sports, business and broadcasting. Future emblems will continue to be installed along the sidewalks of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The organization’s executive committee and its selection committee plan to induct another class in the coming months.
The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame is a joint initiative by BAMA, a membership professional trade organization, and the GEC, which works bridge the gap between the state’s political sector and the entertainment industry. The organization seeks to honor iconic individuals and organizations that have impacted Black culture, communities and those who continue to lead Black people into the future. Its founders seek to acknowledge, preserve, respect and inspire the Black creative community for generations to come.
For more information on the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, please click here.
*Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. Thomas at the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame is attached.
Representative Erica Thomas represents the citizens of District 39, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as House Minority Caucus Vice Chairman. She also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Juvenile Justice, Retirement and Science and Technology committees.
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