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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHallowed Sound: How Black artists influenced music<\/p>\n
The National Museum of African American Music recently opened its doors in Nashville, and the Hallowed Sound project hopes to shed light on the contributions of Black voices.<\/p>\n
USA TODAY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> Nashville is home to some of music\u2019s most influential voices, but beyond its music scene, the city has been shaped by a rich history and deep cultural roots with many of them grounded in Black creativity, resilience and influence.<\/p>\n Creators, leaders and changemakers are not only making waves, but also preserving and expanding the city\u2019s Black legacy. These stewards play a part in ensuring Nashville\u2019s cultural roots remain visible, celebrated and evolving.<\/p>\n This Black History Month, meet 11 Nashville-based Black creatives and leaders with their own social media followings that proudly showcase Black Nashville. This roundup highlights just a few who are serving as connectors within the Nashville community. There are many others who have been and are continuing to make an impact.<\/p>\n Aliyah Allen, aka Dj Afrosheen<\/a>, is a Nashville native and a full-time DJ of three years. Her biggest accomplishment to date has been dominating and disrupting the dominant white, male DJ scene all while being fully independent. She has grown from an aspiring DJ in 2021 to opening for some of the biggest names in the entertainment world such as Jill Scott, Trixie Mattel, A-Trak and most recently, Zack Fox.<\/p>\n Terra Bell<\/a> is a leading Middle Tennessee real estate expert known for serving high-profile clients, from professional athletes to corporate executives. With nearly a decade of experience in luxury, relocation and investment real estate, she has successfully closed multimillion-dollar transactions across Middle Tennessee. Beyond real estate, she\u2019s a trusted advisor, connector and behind-the-scenes power broker.<\/p>\n Lea Bryant<\/a> is the founder of She’s Social,<\/a> a women-led social club launched in 2023 to foster real-life connection and community. What began as a personal platform has grown into over 230 paid members. She’s reached over 2,000 women over the past three years through various events and experiences that celebrate, support and empower women.<\/p>\n Through hosting women\u2019s events in Nashville, Janvier Christine<\/a> has sparked unexpected, best-friend pairings \u2014 connecting artists with athletes, entrepreneurs with scientists, and everyone in between. With a background in digital marketing and branding, she has been able to\u00a0turn moments into real-world community rooted in genuine connection.<\/p>\n D’llisha Davis<\/a> is an educator and cultural strategist who creates community centered experiences rooted in music, movement and Black culture. As founder of 2Ls Agency, she leads artist relations, show bookings and her experiential brand Kinesixx, which produces events that prioritize connection, safety and cultural integrity. She has produced events with over 1,200 attendees and supports other creatives in realizing their visions. Her work amplifies Black creativity while building sustainable platforms for artists and communities.<\/p>\n Carlos Partee<\/a> is the founder of The Nashville Black Market<\/a> \u2014 a powerhouse platform for Black entrepreneurs that generated over $3 million in revenue for Black-owned businesses in the city from 2020 to 2023. Partee also owns Ca$hville Etc., a lifestyle and apparel brand that honors Nashville’s culture and Southern roots. As a radio personality on WNXP 91.1, he also amplifies local voices to elevate Black creativity, culture and commerce in Music City.<\/p>\n Gary Steven<\/a> has become a household name in Nashville\u2019s social scene. As a DJ and founder of The G2 Experience,<\/a> he hosted over 40 events across 15 venues in 2025 alone, generating $280,000 in bar sales and welcoming 5,600 attendees. Known for creating inclusive spaces that prioritize culture and connection, Steven has built a brand with a list of partnerships including SoHo House and Harriet\u2019s Rooftop.<\/p>\n Tika is a DJ<\/a> and event producer creating nightlife, brand and community-driven experiences. Through her work, she\u2019s built a career rooted in creativity, connection and culture, notably turning her passions into a sustainable lifestyle. With an instinct for curating energy and bringing people together, she continues to shape experiences that resonate beyond the dance floor.<\/p>\n Stephen Love-Wade<\/a> founded 6run5 run club<\/a> in 2018, and it has become a hub for wellness and a safe place for Black runners, especially. Since its inception, the club has expanded with nearly 300 members and 150 to 200 runners showing up weekly. An operations analyst by day, Wade fuels 6run5 with passion, building a free, welcoming community that extends far beyond the weekly runs.<\/p>\n Since moving to Musc City in 2023, Hilary Ware<\/a> has a built a strong presence in Nashville’s events and culture landscape. She has hosted and curated a number of social and wellness centered experiences, including a Reformer Pilates event and an “Unwind” mixer at Sauced wine bar that garnered nearly 200 RSVPs. Beyond hosting, she\u2019s a connector for Nashville\u2019s cultural scene, sharing the city\u2019s events and experiences with others.<\/p>\n Dede West<\/a> is a Nashville native and creative leader shaping how Black culture shows up across the city. Her work spans storytelling, community and cultural production, with roles at the Black Music Action Coalition and Fisk University. Alongside A.B. Eastwood, she co-curated “Kinfolk”<\/a>, a Broadway party centering Black voices in country music. Now serving as member events manager at Soho House Nashville, West continues to set the tone for experiences across Music City.<\/p>\n\n
Aliyah Allen (DJ Afrosheen)\u00a0\u2014 @afro.sheen<\/h2>\n
Terra Bell \u2014 @terrabellre<\/h2>\n
Lea Bryant \u2014 @shessocialclub<\/h2>\n
Janvier Christine \u2014 @woogirling<\/h2>\n
D’llisha Davis \u2014 @itstwoelles<\/h2>\n
Carlos Partee \u2014 @thenashvilleblackmarket<\/h2>\n
Gary Steven \u2014 @the_g2experience<\/h2>\n
TIKAAFTERDARK \u2014 @tikaafterdark<\/h2>\n
Stephen Love-Wade \u2014 @6run5<\/h2>\n
Hilary Ware \u2014 @hilary_noelle<\/h2>\n
Dede West \u2014 @neahnwest<\/h2>\n