March 14, 2023
6:00 – 7:30pm

From Mamie Smith to King Records, the legacy of Black music in Cincinnati can be felt and heard across all musical genres and seen in the newly-debuted Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. We’ll discuss the impact Black musicians have had on the local and national music scenes, and what the community at large can do to ensure Cincinnati remains an artistic hub for all artists and musicians.

Featured Panel

Location

Immanuel Presbyterian Church
3445 Clifton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45220

Tickets

$10 in advance, $12 at the door

Thank you to our generous sponsor

 

 

 

 

Dr. James McCray, Jr.
Dr. James McCray Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and was taught to play the piano by his father, the late Dr. James McCray, Sr. At 13, McCray started playing for the Corinthian Baptist Church where he served as Minister of Music for 48 years. In addition to be being a renowned choir director, songwriter, and producer, McCray also runs the BOG (Best of Gospel) Records.

To date, the label has recorded eight CD projects of local and national artists. In 1973, McCray founded the James McCray Choral Ensemble. Under his leadership, the group has recorded with and provided backing support to a number of notable icons in gospel music. The group has received numerous awards and accolades including, Grammy and Stellar Award nominations. This year, the group is celebrating 50 years of ministry and looks forward to hosting several musical celebrations featuring world renowned gospel artists.

Tracy Walker
Tracy Walker has been at the forefront of Cincinnati’s independent music scene for over a decade. Walker’s style sits at the crossroads of Folk, Rock, Country, Jazz and Blues. She has released two albums, All This Time and Coetaneous Vibrations, both have been well received by fans and media alike. Walker’s song writing is broad-reaching in its ability to move you, sometimes your heart and sometimes your feet. She performs often in varied venues from clubs and bars to festivals. Walker has opened for the legendary Joe Cocker and also shared the stage with Melissa Ferrick, Sally Taylor, Blessid Union of Souls, O.A.R., and many others.

Walker’s interest in theater has been played out in shows with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and Queen City Off-Broadway productions. Walker possesses a soaring alto demanding of attention, winning two Cincinnati Entertainment Awards and two CAMMY Awards for music. She also was voted Best Local Musician in CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati readers’ poll. One of the most important honors acknowledging Walker’s talent and work is being named one of the Taft Duncanson Artists in Residence in 2011.

Kick Lee
Kick Lee is the Executive Director and Founder of Cincinnati Music Accelerator. He’s worked in the music industry for more than 18 years. He has composed and licensed music for marketing and advertising for commercial tv and social media with brands such as Kroger, Pantene, Toyota, Winter Olympics 2018, Lexus, LG, Samsung, Disney, Amazon, Gold Star Chili and more.

 

Destiny L Music
Destiny L is an international recording artist and singer/songwriter. Her rich, hypnotic, sultry sound shape her alternative RNB flow. A multi-talented vocalist, she has opened for artists such as Musiq Soulchild, Warren G, and Bobby Valentino. She’s also performed in historical venues such as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and performed the national anthem at Paycor stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals. Destiny L has two hit singles, Numb and Spacextime, available on all major streaming platforms.

Andre DuBois
Andre DuBois is a songwriter, producer, and Founder/CEO of Reflective Music Group. After 14 years of performing, he attended Columbia College Chicago to study Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management.

At Columbia, DuBois was taught by many industry professionals, including Grammy nominated Kosine of Da Internz, and Grammy and Stellar Award winning producer/songwriter Donald Lawrence. He also interned with Lawrence’s production company, Quiet Water Entertainment, which led to album credits on Lawrence’s 2009 release, The Law of Confession, Pt. 1. In 2014, DuBois obtained his Master’s Degree in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University and founded Reflective Music Group. Two years later, he produced the See Yourself Tour, which took artists from Chicago and Cincinnati across the country and in Canada. Still passionate about music business education, DuBois has collaborated with Grammy Award winning artists Jovan and Eric Dawkins. He currently resides in the Greater Cincinnati area, where he quietly wears many hats in the local arts and entertainment scene, including Artists & Repertoire (A&R) consulting for independent artists.