Brian McKnight and The Black Academy of Arts and Letters

Born in Buffalo, NY, Brian McKnight is a singer, songwriter, producer, and nine-instrument multi-instrumentalist. He has sold 25M+ albums, released Back at One, and earned major awards including a Grammy and Billboard Songwriter of the Year.

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), established in Dallas, Texas, in 1977 by Curtis King, is a cultural organization dedicated to supporting African Americans in the visual and performing arts. It fosters understanding of African, African-American, and Caribbean arts and letters. TBAAL preserves and promotes Black art and culture, offering a platform for diverse artistic expression. The organization was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2015.