The Bessie Smith Cultural Center announces its 2025 Black History Month programming. "This year’s events highlight the contributions, culture and legacy of the African American community with a ...

Mamie Smith made history in February 1920 when she became ... Like jazz, the blues is truly an “all-American music” and legends such as Bessie Smith, Lead Belly and Muddy Waters are genuine ...

But this wasn’t someone she sat with at school. In fact, it was a woman she had never met – the legendary blues singer Bessie Smith. Jackie’s first introduction to Bessie came in the form of ...