About Us
Detroit Musicians Asociation
Our Story
The Detroit Musicians Association (DMA), was organized in 1919 by Beulah Young. The purpose of organizing the group was to encourage and promote all who were interested in good music. Hence, Beulah Young’s idea of connecting the musicians in the community prospered. Only a few were present initially: Beulah Young, Elizabeth Woodley, Dorothy Blackwell, and Ordine Tolliver. Others soon joined them and the organization became solvent.
Dorothy Blackwell, with her extensive contacts, was instrumental in presenting DMA to The National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), Inc., which was also established in 1919. NANM is now the country’s oldest organization dedicated to the preservation and advocacy of all genres of the music of Black Americans. DMA became a chartered branch the same year.
Ms. Young was the first DMA President, followed by Annie McBroom, Ordine Tolliver, and Jerene Macklin. Other past presidents include: Millie Hynson, Fred Hart Williams, Elizabeth Gary, Ernest Davis, Charles Coleman, Estelle Andrews, Brazeal Dennard, Wesley Smith, James Moore, Barbara Martin and Norah Duncan. The current president is Daniel Washington.
During our 100 year history DMA has provided encouragement and support to countless musicians in the Detroit area, many of whom have contributed significantly to and become widely respected figures in American music history. We have also sponsored many worthwhile projects, including, but not limited to, the annual scholarship competition, which rotates between voice, piano, winds and percussion, strings, and organ, choral workshops and clinics, the annual Youth Symposium for Detroit area high school students, choral festivals, concerts, and awards banquets. DMA has collaborated with the Detroit Public Library providing support for the annual Hackley Memorial Concert and for the E. Azalia Hackley Collection, which includes DMA archives housed there.
We continue to adhere to the mission of NANM: to promote, preserve, and support all genres of music created or performed by African-Americans.