Siedah Garrett to be honored at BBA’s Salute to Black Music Month

The Black Business Association (BBA), the oldest ethnic business organization in California, will host its Annual “Salute to Black Music Awards Dinner” on Tuesday, June 19, at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. Held in recognition of African American Music Appreciation Month, this years’ theme is “The Business Behind the Music.” Special confirmed honorees include Siedah Garrett, a GRAMMY-winning and twice Academy Award nominated singer/songwriter; Valerie Ervin, president of the Ray Charles Foundation; John Acosta, president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47; and the Honorable Dr. Mike Davis, president pro tem of the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Commissioners. Ellis Hall will perform is known for singing and songwriting, and as a musician playing every instrument with a strong five-octave vocal range. He was also the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the soul-funk band Tower of Power. African-American Music Appreciation Month, formerly referred to as Black Music Month, was declared by President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979. Other nominees include Dr. Dre, who has been selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award, and Kendrick Lamar for his Outstanding Accomplishment in music as Pulitzer Prize winner for “Damn,” the first rapper and winner who is not a classical or jazz musician. In addition, the California African-American Museum is featuring an outstanding exhibition – “How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles.” For more info, visit www.BBA.org