Melanated Music Mondays gives students a place to chill and listen to music
This laid-back Zoom is a place to connect and listen to music that relates to Black culture
American River College’s Melanated Music Mondays is a space to come through and get counseling information, do homework and listen to popular music by artists with melanin in their skin. (Photo via American River College)
As the famous musician, Ray Charles said, “Music is powerful. As people listen to it, they can be affected. They respond.”
Music is something the average college student loves and gravitates to, especially in hard times.
Melanated Music Mondays is put on by Lisa Hayden, support specialist of the African American Student Healing and Empowerment Center at Sacramento City College. The program provides a space to relax and reach out to counselors in a chill and safe environment while listening to music.
The club meets on the first Monday of every month and there is one more session available for this semester.
Hayden started the club this semester as a way to help ease students.
The space is also associated with the Los Rios Community College District’s Umoja/ Ashe program, which aims to help the college’s African American students.
Hayden describes the club as “a place to come and chill, do homework, get connected to resources, make consular appointments, and to be in community with one another.”
The program is also a space for Black artists on campus to have an audience and to get their music heard in a supportive environment.
During the series on April 5, the duo An Ode to Saturday performed.
During the same event, DJ Remme played classic and hip-hop and R&B songs.
Some of the songs played during the session included “Leave The Door Open” by Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars, “Come Thru and Chill “by J Cole featuring Miguel, “No Diggety” by BlackStarr featuring Dr. Dre, “Let It Go” by Keisha Cole, “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Jay-Z and “Let Me Love You” by Mario.
Music is a big part of the program and also big in Hayden’s life.
“My personal favorites are Prince, Micheal Jackson, Sade, Jill Scott, H.E.R, Boney James, and Adele,” Hayden said.
Hayden’s favorite artists often appear in the selection of music during the sessions.
The club may be called Melanated Music Mondays, but it’s not just reserved for melanated people.
“Music doesn’t belong to any single race; anyone can join the session and listen to great hip-hop, rap, jazz, and R&B music,” Hayden said.
For more information regarding the Melanated Music Mondays check out the events category on the ARC website or contact Hayden by email @[email protected].
