Ward 5 Councilmember, Kenyan R. McDuffie, author of the, “Go-Go Official Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act of 2019,” also known as the #DontMuteDC bill, announces plan for $3 million in city investments to support the advancement and preservation of go-go music, history, and culture.
For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 20, 2020
Contact: Jonathan McNair, 202-288-0714, jmcnair@dccouncil.us
Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie, Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, and author of Go-Go Official Music of the District of Columbia Designation Act, also known as the #DontMuteDC bill, is announcing details for a plan for $3 million in city investments into go-go.
In the months since Go-Go earned its new status of “official”, COVID-19 has dealt a major blow to the District of Columbia’s homegrown music. McDuffie’s Go-Go Stimulus Plan will provide economic relief to go-go artists, stimulate the industry and kick start the process of preserving and protecting go-go’s place in the public life of Washington, D.C.
Councilmember McDuffie said the following: “Happy birthday to Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go, I can’t think of a better way to honor his genius and the generations of gifted go-go artists who followed than with these public investments.”
The Council of DC voted to approve the $3 million in funds to be divided equally among: Events DC, the Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, and the Go-Go Archive at District of Columbia Public Libraries.
The briefing will also celebrate the release of the new go-go anthem, “You Can’t Mute Us,” featuring five generations of Washingtonians who worked alongside Don’t Mute DC leaders to address issues critical to the Black community as it faces historic challenges in health, economic, political and social justice, and a critical national election on Nov. 3.
McDuffie continued: “For more than four decades, go-go music and culture have been a lifeblood to African American communities in the District. As we faced social inequity and institutionalized racism, our music and culture have given comfort, built community and provided a way for entrepreneurs to make an honest living. These investments kickstart the ongoing process of bringing equity to these musicians in terms of arts funding. It will also plant seeds for the next generation of go-go stars. This is just the beginning.”
Councilmember McDuffie will give details on the plan. Several Go-Go artists will speak and the group will answer questions from the news media and general public who are tuning in on the FB Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/MakeGoGoForeverDC
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