St. Paul City Council Special Meeting: Black Music Month Recognition and Honorees (June 18, 2026)

Note: The official minutes and transcript indicate this meeting took place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 4:30 PM. The instruction to use June 18, 2026, is noted but contradicts the source material.

This special meeting of the Saint Paul City Council was held to recognize June 2026 as Black Music Month and to honor eight individuals and organizations through seven award categories. The meeting featured presentations from the city's "Get Down" youth music program, remarks from council members, and acceptance speeches from honorees. The council unanimously adopted Resolution RES 26-996, proclaiming Black Music Month and honoring the recipients.

Discussion Items

• Opening and Video: The meeting began with a performance video by Sounds of Blackness featuring students from the High School for Recording Arts.
• Councilmember Remarks: Councilmember Anika Bowie, the lead sponsor, emphasized the importance of Black music as American music, linked the recognition to Juneteenth and the nation's 250th anniversary, and spoke about using love to combat hate. She introduced the seven award categories: Next Verse, Vibe Alchemist, Stage Builder, Community Harmony, 651 Sound, Rhythm and Roots, and Living Legacy.
• Get Down Program Presentation: Shana Abraham (Rec Services Manager, St. Paul Parks and Recreation) and Andy Rockwood (facilitator) described the Get Down, a youth-focused hip-hop mentorship and concert series now entering its third year. Upcoming 2026 shows were listed: July 9 at Arlington Hills, July 30 at Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center, August 4 at MLK, and August 29 at Raspberry Island.
• Award Recognitions:
  • Next Verse Award: Yevra Brantley, an emerging hip-hop/trap/R&B artist. He spoke about art as education and quoted Erykah Badu.
  • Vibe Alchemist Award: DJ Mickey Breeze, a DJ/producer/educator with over 15 years of experience. He spoke about authenticity and community support.
  • Stage Builder Award: Marina "Trinity C" (Trinity C Productions), a longtime event producer and promoter of Afro-Caribbean culture. She thanked her family and invited attendees to Rondo Days (July 18) and Carrie Fest (July 25).
  • Community Harmony Award: Georgia Ford and Power 104.7 FM, a community radio station. Ford and Vice President Harry Colbert highlighted their mission to center Black music and community news, and announced the 7th Street Live festival on August 9, 2026, and a journalism cohort starting July 6.
  • 651 Sound Award: Alan Kingdom, a three-time Grammy-nominated rapper/singer/producer. He spoke about receiving hometown recognition and his work with Ujama Place, Walker West Music Academy, and his nonprofit Yebo Life.
  • Rhythm and Roots Award: Elder Mahmoud El Khatib, a professor and author (accepted by Sister Rickette of In Black Inc.). She read a statement from Frederick Douglass about Black Americans' rootedness in the U.S.
  • Living Legacy Award: David T. C. Ellis, founder of the High School for Recording Arts (HSRA) and Diverse Media Institute (DMI) (accepted by a representative who read his remarks). Ellis was unable to attend due to attending a conference with DMI graduates.
• Council Discussion: Vice President Nelsie Yang, Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson, and Council President Rebecca Noecker praised the honorees and the event. Johnson specifically thanked Georgia Ford and Power 104.7 FM for their work on the East Side.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution Adopted: RES 26-996 (Proclaiming June 2026 as Black Music Month and honoring the third annual Black Music Month honorees) was adopted unanimously, 7-0.
• The council encouraged continued community participation in the Get Down program, Rondo Days, Carrie Fest, and Power 104.7 FM events.
• No other business was conducted.