Black Music As History with Dyana Williams

Join legendary radio host, journalist, and cultural advocate Dyana Williams for a conversation on the power of Black music as a vessel for history, memory, and identity. As a cofounder of Black Music Month and a tireless champion for artists’ rights and cultural preservation, Williams brings a unique perspective to the intersection of music and activism. She will trace the origins of Black Music Month, highlight the role of music in preserving African American stories across generations, and reflect on the responsibility and urgency of archiving these cultural expressions. This program will explore how music not only entertains but also bears witness—amplifying resistance, joy, and community across time.

Please register for this program here.

• This event is being offered in a hybrid format. Both onsite and virtual tickets are available. All ticket reservations will include a Zoom link, but only onsite tickets will be honored at the door.

• Onsite tickets include admission to the talk and the exhibit . Doors open at 6pm to allow viewing of the exhibit.
• We wish to provide complimentary tickets to current secondary, undergraduate, and graduate students. Please email us at [email protected] and tell us where you are enrolled as a student and in what program.

Dyana Williams has distinguished herself as the primary authority on the prominence and value of African American music in global culture. Williams has built a respected niche as a noted air personality and programmer who celebrated 50 years in radio in 2022, and has become one of the foremost women entrepreneurs in contemporary entertainment and media. Williams’ prodigious achievements have earned her numerous awards and honors that are almost too numerous to name. Among other distinctions, Williams was listed as #7 on the "Top 20 Black Radio Jockeys of All Time" by News One, and RadioFacts.com recognized her as #8 on the "Top 30 Black Women in Media." In 2014, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter presented a proclamation to Williams for her dedication and effort to augment the Philadelphia slogan “The City of Brotherly Love And Sisterly Affection,” acknowledging the inclusion of women. Williams has been nominated twice for induction in the Radio Hall of Fame. In 2023, Williams, Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright were recognized by the Philadelphia City Council and Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for their work as co-founders of June as Black Music Month in the city of Philadelphia. Williams is an integral part of the broadcast identities of New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia – three of the largest radio markets in the country – for more than five decades.

Support for PAS 250 programming comes from The Haverford Trust Company and the Pennsylvania Abolition Society Endowment Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, founded in 1824, is one of the nation’s largest archives of historical documents. We are proud to serve as Philadelphia’s Library of American History, with over 21 million manuscripts, books, and graphic images encompassing centuries of US history. Through educator workshops, research opportunities, public programs, and lectures throughout the year, we strive to make history relevant and exhilarating to all. For more information, visit hsp.org.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, United States