'This is for the world.' Cincinnati's Black Music Walk of Fame opens with dancing, cheers

A distinguished list of musicians and local leaders all wearing white gathered along the river to celebrate a project two years in the making.

They all said they hope the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame will shine a light for the rest of the country to see the impact of the region's Black musicians.

"We invented the funk. We are the funk," said Ron Avant, who goes by the stage name T.Nava. Avant grew up in Cincinnati's Kennedy Heights neighborhood and is now the keyboardist for the band Free Nationals, which has backed popular singer/songwriter Anderson .Paak. He's one of the 60 Black music influencers honored in the Walk of Fame "It takes people like us to go out and let the world know what the funk is. And Cincinnati is funky."

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame opened Saturday on Cincinnati's riverfront with fanfare, dancing and recognition for some of the Black musicians from the region who have influenced music around the world. Attendees were encouraged by the county to wear white for the celebration.

'She is getting her just dues'

The names of prominent Black musicians from Cincinnati are immortalized on terrazzo stars, similar to those on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So far 12 artists have been inducted.

It was an emotional celebration at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, especially for the new inductees of the Black Music Walk of Fame in front of the Brady center.

They saw it as a long-delayed recognition for Black artists often overlooked, people like Louise Shropshire, the lyricist for the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome.” Shropshire died in 1993, but her grandchildren attended her induction Saturday to the Walk of Fame.

“We are very humble to stand in my grandmother’s place,” said Michelle Shropshire as she walked the red carpet outside the Brady Music Center. “I know she would be rightfully overjoyed she is getting her just dues. Nobody has recognized her in a long time.”

In addition to Shropshire, the 2023 inductees to the Walk of Fame included James Brown, who recorded for Cincinnati's King Records label, The Spinners singer Philippé Wynne and R&B group The Deele, which featured Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, who both went on to prominent music careers.

What is the Black Music Walk of Fame?

Hamilton County built the Black Music Walk of Fame in front of the Andrew J. Brady Music Center at a cost of $8.5 million.

It isn't just a walkway with stars. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is lined with lights, videos, educational displays and interactive electronics to teach visitors about Black music history from the region.

Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece came up with the idea and has championed the Walk of Fame as a project to celebrate Cincinnati's Black music history and create an attraction she says will draw people from across the country.

"So many people talk about equity and inclusion, this is equity," Reece said. "This is yours. This is for our community, this is for our county. This is for the state. This is for the world. And make no mistake, this is a tourism attraction, bringing in dollars to our community."

Black Walk of Fame member and singer Penny Ford presented Reece with her own Walk of Fame star.

Myra Walker, a resident of the city's West End neighborhood, found the whole ceremony thrilling.

Even before Walker moved to Cincinnati two years ago, she knew about Cincinnati's music scene and history. Walker, a 62-year-old fashion designer, moved two years ago from Los Angeles.

"I remember when I first moved here, Alicia (Reece) speaking about it," Walker said. "To see it come to fruition is actually a blessing. I'm loving the experience. I'm loving the whole vibe that's going on here. It really reflects how important it is."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What is the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame?