Belmont University Donates $250,000 To National Museum Of African American Music

Pictured (L-R): NMAAM’s H. Beecher Hicks, III, CeCe Winans, and Belmont University’s Bob Fisher.

The National Museum of African American Music has announced a $250,000 donation from Belmont University, as well as its first Rivers of Rhythm Digital Exhibition.

Gospel singer CeCe Winans joined Belmont University president Dr. Bob Fisher and NMAAM’s president & CEO H. Beecher Hicks, III to unveil the digital exhibition and donation.

“This digital exhibition reflects another step in Belmont’s efforts to become increasingly more diverse and broadly reflective of our local and global communities,” said Fisher. “Having Henry and Cece Winans here to launch this new music resource is an honor and demonstrates our commitment to NMAAM’s success. Belmont has an outstanding reputation for fostering and nurturing top musical talent, so supporting this project is a perfect fit for our campus.”

As a National Chair, Winans will focus her work with NMAAM specifically around the gospel genre and serve as an active ambassador. Winans, along with Darius Rucker, Keb’ Mo’ and India.Arie were announced earlier this year and are actively engaged in the project. All are prominently featured in the Rivers of Rhythm Digital Exhibition.

“With over 50 genres identified as created or influenced by African Americans, RofR is an interactive tool that depicts the ebb and flow of music and genres using a web-based platform to tell the Museum’s story even before our doors open,” said Hicks. “Music is more connected than we realize and the influence of genres and music is a true outline of the history and impact that American artists have around the world.”

The museum is expected to open in 2018 at the corner of Fifth and Broadway in downtown Nashville, according to the Nashville Post.