June is Black Music Month. Here’s a look at eight pioneers of Black music firsts…
#BlackMusicMonth: A Look At 8 Pioneers Of Black Music Firsts was originally published on ronerickeysmileymorningshow.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Dyana Williams: Co-founded Black Music Month
![Dyana Williams: Co-founded Black Music Month](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/15451066108001.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
2. AJ Calloway and Free: Hosts of 106th and Park, the first Black alternative to MTV’s TRL
![AJ Calloway and Free: Hosts of 106th and Park, the first Black alternative to MTV’s TRL](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/1559587148344.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
3. Shirley Caesar: First female gospel artist to perform at Harvard
![Shirley Caesar: First female gospel artist to perform at Harvard](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/14828666855808.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
4. Soulja Boy: First rapper to have a music video on YouTube (so he said)
![Soulja Boy: First rapper to have a music video on YouTube (so he said)](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/15595870465861.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
5. Monica: First youngest Black Grammy winner
![Monica: First youngest Black Grammy winner](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/14456854776028-e1515003482491.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
6. Da Brat: First female rapper to go platinum
![Da Brat: First female rapper to go platinum](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/14921725799544.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
7. Kirk Franklin: First gospel artist to go to platinum with their debut album
![Kirk Franklin: First gospel artist to go to platinum with their debut album](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/15581160056473.jpg?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)
8. Cathy Hughes: Founder of Radio One, the largest African-American-owned broadcasting company in the U.S.
![Cathy Hughes: Founder of Radio One, the largest African-American-owned broadcasting company in the U.S.](https://ronerickeysmileymorningshow.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/15249091365191.png?w=720&quality=80&strip=all)