February is Black History Month, a time that pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society, and that celebrates the contributions of Black people to American history and culture.

In the 1920s, historian Carter G. Woodson, PhD, who was the son of formerly enslaved people, wanted to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to civilization. In February 1926, Woodson created what was originally called Negro History Week, a span of days that comprised the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The response was immense, and by the time of Woodson’s death in 1950, Negro History Week had become a vital part of Black American life, and significant progress was made as many Americans of various backgrounds embraced the celebration. By 1976, as the United States turned 200, Woodson’s creation was expanded to Black History Month as we know it today. What’s more, the organization Woodson founded, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), advances and promotes the study of Black history all year long.

Here at The Current, we’ll be celebrating Black History Month by sharing some lesser-known stories of Black music, venues, events, and culture in the Twin Cities. And every day of the year, you can explore the depth and breadth of Black music on our sister service, Carbon Sound. As we begin Black History Month, it’s fair to say there would be no “American music” as such had it not been for the music of Black Americans.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs by influential Black artists do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Jon Batiste – FREEDOM
The Staple Singers – Got To Be Some Changes Made
Sam Cooke – A Change is Going to Come
Beyoncé – BLACK PARADE
Miles Davis – Boplicity
The Edwin Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Day
Public Enemy – Fight The Power
Little Richard – Long Tall Sally
Leon Bridges – Steam (bonus)