The Black Legacy Project
The Black Legacy Project is a musical celebration of Black history to advance racial harmony. A movement of music and human connection, the project aims to bridge divides, prevent hate, and co-create a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and belongs.
Black LP is a national project produced by Music in Common - a nonprofit organization that strengthens, empowers, and connects communities through the universal language - in partnership with community stakeholders at the local level. Developed in the summer of 2020 in response to the growing polarization and violence surrounding the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, the Black Legacy Project curates experiences for people across race to find common ground through music and conversation. The sharing of stories, histories, lived experiences, and songs inspires Black LP participants to walk in the shoes of "the other".
From 2021 - 2023, the project launched with week-long residencies in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Atlanta, Los Angeles, the Mississippi Delta, Denver, the Arkansas Ozarks, and Boise, bringing together Black and White artists and artists of ALL backgrounds to record present day interpretations of songs central to the Black American experience and compose originals relevant to the pressing calls for change of our time. Community roundtable discussions helped inform how these songs were interpreted and written. Two albums, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, feature 24 songs reimagined, written, and recorded in the project.
A touring band brings the music of the project to audiences nationwide in powerful and engaging performances. In addition to this interactive musical celebration and transformational live music experience, the tour includes film screenings, community conversations, roundtable discussions, and school programs.
A feature-length documentary film and seven-part docuseries are in production, highlighting the project and some of the many places it has traveled to.
Hit us up to learn how you can get involved and bring the Black LP to your community.
