Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Legacy and Pioneering Spirit

Dear Silverbacks Community,

As we continue to commemorate Black History Month, this week we kick off with paying homage to the visionary Carter G. Woodson , revered as "the father of Black History Month," touch on the African achievements in the 2024 Grammy Awards and the unique path of Paxton Baker , a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Preserving Heritage: The Origin of Black History Month

In 1922, Woodson established the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in Washington, D.C., laying the groundwork for The Journal of Negro History and The Negro History Bulletin. This legacy culminated in the inaugural Negro History Week in 1926, a precursor to the now-celebrated Black History Month. Dr. Woodson's profound words remind us of the significance of preserving our heritage: "If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated."

Grammys Spotlight: Burna Boy's Historic Performance

In a historic moment during Black History Month, Nigerian sensation Burna Boy illuminated the 2024 Grammy Awards’ stage at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, accompanied by 21 Savage and Brandy. This Unprecedented performance marked the first live showcase by an Afro-beat artist at the prestigious awards, coinciding with the introduction of the Best African Music Performance category. Hosted by the South African icon Trevor Noah, the Grammys embraced an African vibe, featuring nominees such as Burna Boy, Asake, Olamide, Ayra Starr, Davido, Musa Keys, and Tyla, a 22-year-old South African singer who outshone the notable contenders as the triumphant winner of the Best African Music Performance Award.

… Yes, South Africa prevailed over Nigeria at the music global championship over the weekend, therefore the Nigerian national soccer team decided to avenge yesterday at AFCON’s semi finals. It has truly been an amazing week to say the least.

To go back to music on the global stage, while African artists have secured Grammys in the past, the weekend’s milestone signifies a pivotal shift for African popular music across the globe, amplifying its presence and influence.

Exploring Paxton Baker's Dynamic Journey

This week, we have the privilege of delving into the captivating journey of Paxton Baker, a luminary whose impact reverberates across the entertainment industry and beyond. From his humble beginnings at Temple University to his pivotal roles as a minority owner of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club , Chairman of the Washington Nationals Founding Partners Group, Governing Board Member of the esteemed Global Sports Summit, co-owner and Advisory Board member of the Cape Town Tigers, and at Silverbacks Holdings as well, Paxton's trajectory embodies resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication.

Paxton's journey commenced in 1984 when he took to the airwaves as a host on WRTI's Jazz radio show at Temple University. This marked the genesis of his illustrious career, which evolved from spinning records to fostering invaluable relationships with artists and venturing into concert production.

In 1988, Paxton founded PKB (Paxton K. Baker) Arts and Entertainment Productions, specializing initially in Jazz concerts before expanding to encompass World, Latin, and R&B music genres. Notably, his visionary approach led to the introduction of Caribbean music festivals, concerts, and tours in Aruba, forging a crucial partnership with BET (Black Entertainment Television) during the Aruba Jazz and Latin Music Festival. His influence extended beyond the shores of Aruba, as evidenced by his instrumental role in co-founding the St. Lucia Jazz Festival in 1992 and spearheading the groundbreaking show, Caribbean Rhythms.

He has been mentored by the likes of the late Harry Belafonte, as well as the Black Godfather, Clarence Avant and was also involved in producing shows and events with the likes of Stevie Wonder, the Fugees and Herbie Hancock . Paxton's adeptness at fostering connections across black cultures propelled him to a 15-year tenure producing festivals for BET, culminating in his eventual appointment as President of BET Productions following Viacom's acquisition of BET in 2001.

Paxton's impact transcends entertainment into philanthropy and politics. He was appointed by the Speaker of the US House of Representatives to serve on The Congressional Award Foundation National Board of Directors, a testament to his commitment to effecting positive change in society. Furthermore, his unwavering dedication to philanthropy is evidenced by his roles on the boards of Washington Nationals Philanthropies, Washington DC's NPR station, the US Senate Preservation Trust.

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