June is both African American Music Appreciation Month and the month we celebrate Juneteenth — a time to honor the creativity, innovation, and cultural impact of Black artists whose music has shaped everything from jazz and gospel to rock, house, R&B, hip-hop, and beyond.
What if your next creative breakthrough is hiding in a genre you’ve never given a real chance? A lot of creators get stuck consuming the same music, watching the same content, and pulling inspiration from the same places. Over time, your creative world can start to feel smaller.
This month, intentionally explore something unfamiliar. If you’re a filmmaker, spend a week listening to jazz or house music and pay attention to how it affects pacing and mood.
If you’re a visual artist, explore gospel, funk, or neo-soul and notice how color, movement, and emotion show up differently in your work. If you’re a musician, dive into genres outside your comfort zone and study what makes them connect with audiences.
Then, on Juneteenth (June 19) or by the end of the month, share what you learned.
The most interesting creators don’t pull inspiration from one place. They stay curious, keep learning, and let new influences shape their creative voice.
