Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) Store's across the country will celebrate Black Music Month with 22 live in-store performances at various major city locations by "hometown heroes." Black Music Month was first proclaimed last year by President George W. Bush in "recognition of the outstanding contributions that African-American singers, composers, and musicians have made to our country," and in order to "express our appreciation for the extraordinary music that has enriched our Nation."

Apple's recognition of the month-long celebration may appear like a marketing tool from the number one music retailer, but it also signals the importance of retailers in promoting the celebration so it can achieve a higher level of awareness with the mass public. Even without Apple's promotion, this year's month-long celebration is looking very successful and very well received, and artists are obviously on board. Aretha Franklin has provided an essay for BlackVoices.com's celebration "expressing her enthusiasm with the state of modern R&B."

Above Apple, BlackVoices.com's promotion and website provides the most comprehensive and electrifying coverage of Black Music Month, providing discussion of various decades in music history from the 1960s to present, notes about events in that history, polls on favorite albums, blogs from celebrities and countless other features that expertly discuss black music. The AOL-owned website also discusses various styles and genres of music and important business leaders that have helped pave the way for black music.