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Virtual Event

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Virtual Speaker Session: “Say Her Name: A Love Letter to Black Women in Country Music” with Rissi Palmer

Name: Virtual Speaker Session: “Say Her Name: A Love Letter to Black Women in Country Music” with Rissi Palmer
Start: 2025-11-11T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-11T20:30:00-05:00

November 11 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Virtual Event

Free

Rissi Palmer Speaker Session on November 11

With the breakthrough 2007 single, “Country Girl,” from her self-titled debut country album, Rissi Palmer made history as the first Black female country artist to ascend the Billboard Hot Country Singles Charts since Dona Mason in 1987. With “Say Her Name: A Love Letter to Black Women in Country Music,” Palmer highlights Black women pioneers – from Etta Baker and Elizabeth Cotten to Ruby Falls and Lenora Ross to Tina Turner, Rhiannon Giddens, and Micky Guyton, and more – who walked and endured so Black women could enter the space of country music with ease. There is no cost to join this virtual Speaker Session via Zoom, but pre-registration is required.

Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual only via Zoom

Cost: Priceless

REGISTER TO ATTEND VIA ZOOM

Undeterred by the hurdles faced as a Black woman in mainstream country music, Palmer has forged her own path, independently releasing three albums. Among these works are the children’s album, Best Day Ever, the soulful Back Porch Sessions EP (2015), and the critically acclaimed Revival (2019), lauded by Rolling Stone as one of the Top 25 Country-Soul Albums of all time.

Throughout her career, Palmer has always championed underrepresented artists. As the host of Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer on Apple Music, she challenges listeners to reconsider their perceptions and stereotypes surrounding people of color in the country music landscape. She has also established the nonprofit Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund to help support emerging artists of color. In 2023, Palmer was one of nine artists featured in PBS’s American Masters: In the Making series, spotlighting her influence on American culture. The documentary RISSI PALMER: STILL HERE provided an intimate glimpse into her life on tour, her creative process, and balancing professional endeavors with family life.

Today, Palmer stands as a prominent figure in both country and Americana music. Her performances have graced illustrious venues such as The White House, The Grand Ole Opry, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater. She has made national TV appearances on ABC News Live, CBS Mornings, CNN, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and PBS NewsHour, while garnering recognition from prestigious publications including Associated Press, Essence, New York Times, Parade, PEOPLE, Rolling Stone, UPROXX, Washington Post, and more.

Notably, Palmer holds the distinction of being one of only eight Black artists to have singles charted in any genre, highlighting her enduring impact on the music industry. Palmer continues to tour across the US and overseas and serves as a correspondent for CMT Hot 20 Countdown. She also holds the esteemed position of Governor at the Recording Academy Nashville.