America 250 | Mayor Sharetta Smith:
Honoring the Legacy of Black Musicians from Ohio
Posted as part of the Black Music Month Celebration – June 2025
As we mark Black Music Month and look toward America’s 250th anniversary, I’m proud to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Black musicians—especially those born and raised right here in Ohio—who have shaped the soul of our nation.
Ohio has long been a birthplace of rhythm, resistance, and reinvention. From gospel to jazz, from funk to hip-hop, the soundtracks of American history have been scored in cities and towns across our state. Black Ohioans have used music to elevate joy, express pain, demand justice, and celebrate freedom—reminding us that music is not just art; it is testimony.
In Cincinnati, the legendary Otis Williams founded The Charms, helping to lay the foundation for doo-wop and soul. In Dayton, known as the “Land of Funk,” groups like The Ohio Players, Zapp, and Slave brought infectious grooves to national and international stages—redefining the sound of the 1970s. In Akron, Howard Hewett, the voice of Shalamar, and James Ingram, whose smooth vocals gave us unforgettable ballads, carried the spirit of Black excellence with every note.
Cleveland, home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, has birthed artists like Kid Cudi, whose emotionally raw lyrics opened a new chapter in hip-hop. And let’s not forget Tracy Chapman, born in Cleveland, whose powerful folk anthems spoke to universal struggles with quiet defiance and grace.
And then there’s the Queen of Soul herself—Aretha Franklin—born in Memphis but raised in Detroit after spending her earliest years right here in Ohio, where her father’s ministry and musical legacy took root. Her voice became an anthem for the civil rights movement and a beacon of pride for generations of Black Americans.
But Ohio’s impact on Black music doesn’t stop with our larger cities. Right here in Lima, we’ve produced icons of our own. The incomparable Joe Henderson, a jazz tenor saxophonist known for his lyrical complexity and improvisational brilliance, was born in Lima in 1937. Over his five-decade career, Henderson played with legends like Horace Silver, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis—leaving behind a catalog of work that remains essential listening for jazz lovers around the world.
Lima is also the hometown of other Black artists whose contributions continue to resonate. Musicians like Jon Rogers, Mark Lomax II, and members of our local gospel and soul scenes have carried Lima’s musical legacy forward—whether in concert halls or church choirs. Their talent reflects the richness and resilience of Black creativity in small towns across America.
On a personal note, some of my fondest childhood memories come from summers when my parents would load us into the car and head south for the Cincinnati Jazz Festival. Back then, it was sponsored by Kool cigarettes—not exactly a brand I’d endorse today—but the experience was magic. The energy of the crowd, the soulful melodies drifting through the warm night air, and the feeling of being surrounded by proud, joyful Black people celebrating our culture through music left a lasting impression on me. That festival, now sponsored by Macy’s, has grown over the years, but the spirit of it remains the same: Black music as celebration, healing, and legacy.
As we reflect during America 250, we must recognize that the nation’s musical identity would be incomplete without the voices of Black artists who turned struggle into sound and hope into harmony. And as Mayor of Lima, I’m committed to ensuring that our own city continues to support and elevate the next generation of artists, creators, and cultural storytellers.
This Black Music Month, let’s celebrate their legacy—and let’s make space for the stories still being written.
With rhythm and gratitude,
Mayor Sharetta Smith
City of Lima, Ohio