Collection[edit]

The museum was said to eventually comprise "five permanent themed galleries" as well as "a 200-seat theater and traveling exhibits".^[2] Its founding curator, Dr. Dina Bennett, was appointed in May 2018.^[3]


The museum showcases more than fifty musical genres that were inspired, created, or influenced by African American culture, ranging from early American religious music to hip-hop and Rhythm and Blues.^[4]


Its collection will include up to 1,400 artifacts,^[5] including clothes worn by Nat King Cole, Dorothy Dandridge, Whitney Houston, and Lisa Lopes.^[6] The first traveling exhibit is expected to be about the Fisk Jubilee Singers.^[7]