Conference celebrating Black music and culture in Ontario
The Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference, Ontario’s premier Black music conference, is set to take place from June 14th to 16th, 2024, at the Kitchener Public Library. This groundbreaking event promises to highlight the rich heritage and contemporary contributions of Black musicians and artists in the Waterloo region.

The festival kicks off on Friday, June 14th, with the Kitchener Public Library opening its doors to the public at 9 AM. The day will be packed with engaging conference proceedings, featuring panels and discussions led by prominent figures such as Michael Williams, Rudy Blair, Master-T, Carlos Morgan, Solitair, Will Strickland, Blk Orchid, Eric Alper, DJ Ron Nelson, and Joel Joseph. Key topics include “Pioneers of Canadian Hip Hop,” “Challenging the Dominance of Record Labels,” and “Black in Media.” The day will also include a film screening of “Temple of Love: The Erroll Starr Story.” From 11 AM to 5 PM, attendees can enjoy food vendors and artisans in the courtyard, open to the public.

The evening will transition to a concert event at 7 PM, headlined by Erroll Starr and TRIBZ, with support from Reharm. This licensed event is for ticket holders only and will feature food vendors, artisans, and artist merchandise.
Saturday, June 15th, continues the conference with panels and discussions featuring Jully Black, Michael Williams, Carlos Morgan, Zochi, Colleen James, Dr. Karen Cyrus, and Sandra Tyler Henein. Highlights include Jully Black’s keynote on “Black Women in Music and Entertainment” and a panel celebrating “Black Divas.” Attendees can also enjoy screenings of “Hip Hop Hope” and “MAKING MUSIC – The making of ‘Why I Sing The Blues.'” The public can explore food vendors and artisans from 11 AM to 5 PM.

The evening concert, featuring Jully Black and Zochi, starts at 7 PM for ticket holders, followed by an after-party in Downtown Kitchener from 10:30 PM to 12:30 AM, featuring performances by Michael Williams, Jamila B., Zochi, Reharm, and Blk Orchid.
The festival concludes on Sunday, June 16th, with a morning concert at 10:30 AM headlined by the Toronto Mass Choir. The grand finale is a free concert at Civic Centre Park from 1 PM to 5 PM, featuring headliner Solitair and a showcase of emerging Black artists. The public can enjoy food vendors, artisans, and artist merchandise throughout the afternoon.
Join the celebration of Black music and culture at the Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference. For more details and tickets, visit www.grandriverblackmusic.com.