SMP'S JON PLATT AMONG NEW NMAAM BOARD MEMBERS

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has announced its new leadership, with Sony Music Publishing boss Jon Platt as one of its board members. Stacey Garrett Koju was named board Chair—she is the first Black woman to lead the museum board.

NMAAM also announced the launch of a new podcast, The State of Black Music. Each biweekly episode will feature a conversation with Black music-industry professionals about Black music, culture and history. The podcast is hosted by Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly of the band Louis York, Phil Thornton, SVP of Provident Entertainment, and Tamone Bacon, head of Brand Partnerships and New Business, RCA Inspiration.

The first episode was recorded at the museum’s inaugural State of Black Music Summit, hosted at NMAAM on 6/18. It features a conversation with the legendary Mary J. Blige and "fashion architect" Misa Hylton.

NMAAM has also partnered with artisan shoe brand Blanx to create an exclusive shoe reflecting some of the design themes in the museum and inscribed with the organization's tagline, “One Nation Under a Groove.”

The new NMAAM board is constituted thus:

• Bret R. Babcock, COO and CFO at LOGICFORCE
• Vince Gill, recording artist
• Brett Sweet, Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor for Finance and CFO
• Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing
• Tom Curtis, Managing Director, Truist
• Dene Oliver, Chief Vision Officer (retired), Brookfield Properties
• Monique Idlett-Mosley, President and CEO of Reign Venture Capital