Martha Burks with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters and Jazz Jam

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.

A weekly jazz jam session held at the Red Light Café in Atlanta, Georgia, led by the Gordon Vernick Quartet and welcoming both professional and amateur musicians to perform live.