DCMS
Celebrating Black Music Month
With gratitude and reverence, we celebrate this month — and every month — honoring the profound African American musical influences that form an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage.
UPCOMING EVENT
DC Music Summit & DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Present in Celebration of Black Music Month
You Gotta Leave DC to Get Love? Rethinking Infrastructure for Black Music in the Nation’s Capital (Panel & Talk Back)
Explores the long-standing belief that artists and music professionals must leave Washington, DC to achieve sustainability, visibility, or career growth. Through conversation with artists, organizers, cultural leaders, and ecosystem builders, this panel examines the structural gaps impacting Black music communities, from venues and funding to ownership, education, policy, and access to opportunity. Presented by DC Music Summit, the discussion asks what a thriving local music ecosystem could look like and highlights pathways toward stronger infrastructure, cultural preservation, and year-round support for creatives through initiatives including the DCMS Member Portal.
The event is Tuesday, June 16
Doors open at 5:30 PM
🕠 Event is 6-8:30PM
📍Location : 200 I Street SE
🎟 Free with RSVP
DC Music Summit Event RSVP & Community Input
THE HISTORY OF
DC MUSIC SUMMITS
On March 6, 2016, The Summit was founded by Dior Ashley Brown, and originally organized with the support of Jonna Humphries and Aerica Banks. Three women who love music, who care about the DC community, and who saw an opportunity to highlight the link between creativity and entrepreneurship. The goal of the Summit is to support musicians and industry professionals in building their creative business and create sustainability through their craft.
The Summit focuses on the DC Musician's business, community, and the art, the sessions are intensive, building greater understandings, deeper connections, and bursting opportunities.
The DC Music Summit puts itself in the heart of the undeserved communities/business, making it accessible, focusing on creative minorities, and underground independent artists.
IT TAKES THIS VILLAGE
Join our mailing list and be the first to know when the next Summit is announced.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
History in the Making
Through a dynamic mix of in-person music sessions and community initiatives, DCMS brings people together. By partnering with both new and established companies, we connect change makers and cultivate a movement designed to create lasting impact in our neighborhood and beyond.
Every event is a chance for community leaders, local artists, and neighbors to come together and the result is something special.
100+ EVENTS
With celebrated ensemble and a rich lineup of workshops, networking sessions, & live concerts.
MOMENTUM SO FAR
50+ INDUSTRY PANELS
With some of the most esteemed figures & insiders in the region's music scene.
100+ DCMS MEMBERS
A creative home where every artist's voice finds & feels a sense of belonging & support.
