On June 22, 2022, NAfME President Scott R. Sheehan announced at the 2022 National Leadership Assembly in Reston, Virginia, that NAfME would formally recognize the 50th anniversary of the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music (NASPAAM) with a resolution celebrating the milestone. Present at the announcement were NASPAAM president Marsha Kindall-Smith, past president and founder Ted McDaniel, and past president George E. Allen, along with the NAfME National Executive Board, the chairs of the NAfME Societies and Councils, and the presidents of the NAfME federated state music education associations.

“We had the privilege to honor the leaders from NASPAAM as they celebrated their 50th anniversary,” said Sheehan. “The celebration felt just as profound as it was historic during the 2022 NAfME National Leadership Assembly. In many ways it was like a homecoming of sorts, but we also recognize the role that the harmful actions of NAfME, then MENC, had in the founding of NASPAAM five decades ago. Although we are just beginning to forge a new relationship, the leaders of NAfME and NASPAAM are confident we will find ways to support one another, and NASPAAM will always have a place to belong at NAfME. I look forward to what the future holds for both of our associations.”

Read the NAfME Resolution Celebrating and Honoring the 50th Anniversary of the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music.