The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame was founded and created by Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece. The Commissioner grew up in the music industry and later served as the Deputy Director of Ohio Tourism. She introduced the idea on April 26, 2021, at a press conference with diverse music and community stakeholders in front of an empty lot filled with gravel and rocks. She called for the creation of a Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame to celebrate the legacy and untold stories of music artists, songwriters, producers, and musicians from Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Southwest Ohio. On July 1, 2021, the idea was unanimously passed by the Hamilton County, Ohio Board of Commissioners creating an international state-of-the-art, outdoor interactive permanent tourism attraction and exciting music corridor on the Ohio River Banks.
“From a gravel lot covered with rocks to becoming one of the greatest world-renowned outdoor Black music tourism attractions is historic. Through the interactive elements and use of the latest technology, we will connect our rich black music legacy as inspiration to the generations of future music legends to come.”
–HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER ALICIA REECE, 2021
Founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023 AT NOON
Next to the Andrew J Brady Center, 25 Race St., Cincinnati, OH
Join us for the 2023 Induction Ceremony honoring:
The Deele
James Brown
Philippé Wynne
Louise Shropshire
FEATURING a special celebration performance by The Ohio Players
Find Out More
Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
190 W. Mehring Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Open 6am-11pm
FREE ADMISSION
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame welcomes you to a family-friendly interactive musical experience that brings history to life through immersive technology. Black music has a long and wide-ranging history in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and Southwest Ohio. We celebrate this extraordinary legacy.
For generations, the impact of this region’s Black musicians, songwriters, and industry professionals has reverberated around the world, shaping everything from funk, jazz, pop, and gospel, to hip-hop, classical, R&B, and rock. The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame’s immersive experience connects this legacy to the future. We invite you to listen, learn, dance, sing, and feel the energy and soul of these amazing artists.
Along your journey through Cincy’s music scene, you will find QR codes printed on the informational kiosks along the walkways. Scan any of these QR codes to take a deeper dive into an artist’s history and legacy—you’ll also be able to view an augmented reality experience that brings the artist’s work to life!
At the interactive exhibits on the top level of the park, QR codes will allow you to capture, save, and share video of yourself dancing to famous jams from Cincinnati artists or performing on stage with some of your favorite inductees.
This entertaining, interactive, and enriching multi-layered attraction is open to the public and accessible for all to enjoy.
