NAACP Branch Highlights Black History Music and Legacy

The NAACP Huntington Branch hosted “An Evening of Black History” at the South Huntington Public Library on February 19. The event celebrated African American culture through music, scholarship, and reflection.

Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, NAACP Long Island Regional Director, historian, and professor at Medgar Evers College, served as the keynote speaker. Jillian Guthman, Town of Huntington Receiver of Taxes, presented her with a certificate of recognition following the address.

Musical Influence Over a Century

Dr. Grier-Key’s presentation focused on the impact of Black music over the past 100 years, asserting its foundational role in American identity. She connected the event to the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, the originator of Negro Week, which evolved into Black History Month, emphasizing his belief in documenting a culture’s soul through its music. Grier-Key stated that Black music is integral to American identity.

Origins of Instruments

Grier-Key highlighted often-overlooked contributions to music history, including the African origins of instruments like the banjo. She explained that the characteristic sound associated with country music originated from Black musicians.

John and Alice Coltrane

A significant portion of the lecture centered on jazz musicians John and Alice Coltrane, whom Grier-Key described as “the high priest and high priestess of American music.” She characterized John Coltrane’s saxophone playing as a form of prayer, aimed at creating healing frequencies through music. Grier-Key emphasized Alice Coltrane’s importance, noting her contributions to meditative, cosmic, and divine music.

Reshaping American Culture

Grier-Key discussed how the intellectual depth of Black music has reshaped American culture. She traced the evolution of Black music from spirituals and blues to Motown, funk, hip hop, and Afrobeats, arguing that the most significant cultural movement in American history originated not in boardrooms, but in music rooms.

Preserving Black History

Grier-Key concluded by encouraging support for the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills and continued community involvement in preserving Black history. She emphasized the unifying power of Black music and the legacy of John and Alice Coltrane in fostering a sense of shared humanity.