(CINCINNATI, OH) — June 24, 2026 — TV host and NAACP Image Award-winning producer Jawn Murray is set to return for his fifth consecutive year as host of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. The 2026 induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, 190 W. Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
This year’s landmark celebration will honor iconic R&B and disco group Heatwave and pioneering Cincinnati radio station WCIN as the newest inductees into the Walk of Fame. Grammy Award-winning R&B legend Regina Belle will be celebrated with the prestigious Legacy Award, while several other distinguished industry luminaries will be recognized as Top Influencers.
“The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame is literally one of my favorite events to host each year. Not just because thousands of people from Cincy and all over the Midwest show up and are the most-gracious audience, but I truly believe in the importance of this cultural installation in the heart of downtown Cincinnati and I’m always honored when Commissioner Alicia Reece invites me back,” said Murray.
A veteran TV personality, producer, and sought-after event host, Murray has become a fixture of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame since his inaugural hosting duties. His deep knowledge of Black music history and his dynamic on-stage presence have made him a fan-favorite throughout the annual celebration.
“We are so excited to have Jawn back at our 6th Annual Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame induction ceremony because he’s more than just our host, but he’s someone our attendees look forward to seeing each year,” said Alicia Reece, Hamilton County Commissioner and Founder of the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. “Jawn has become part of the Walk of Fame family and last year we were excited to make him an honorary inductee.”
During the 2025 induction ceremony, Commissioner Reece surprised Murray with an induction to Top Influencer section of the Walk of Fame in recognition of his overall advocacy for Black music and his efforts to expand the local monument’s national visibility. Murray and talk show host Sherri Shepherd visited the Walk of Fame during a Cincinnati appearance in October 2023, later showcasing it in a season two episode of the nationally syndicated The Sherri Shepherd Show. (WATCH the Surprise Walk of Fame Presentation Clip, HERE)
The 2026 ceremony will also feature live performances by previous Walk of Fame inductees R&B songstress Shirley Murdock and funk/soul band Midnight Star, making for a full celebration of the rich musical legacy the Walk of Fame was built to honor.
The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame honors the contributions of Black artists, musicians, executives, and media figures whose work has shaped the cultural landscape of Cincinnati and beyond. Some of the previous inductees have included The Isley Brothers, Nancy Wilson, Bootsy Collins, Dottie Peoples, James Brown, Penny Ford, The O’Jays, Hi-Tek, Randy Crawford, and Donald Lawrence.
Check out the Cincinnati Enquirer’s previous coverage of Murray hosting the 2025 Walk of Fame, here.
For additional details on Murray, visit JawnMurray.com. Learn more about the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame at: CincyBlackMusicWalkOfFame.org.
About Jawn Murray
Jawn Murray helped develop, launch and oversee the nationally syndicated “Sherri Show” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, earning a NAACP Image Award, multiple Telly Awards, and landing a Daytime Emmy nomination for his role as Executive Producer of the show. Murray could also be seen daily for three seasons on-air as Shepherd’s sidekick and comedic counterpart. A recognizable multi-hyphenate, he has hosted numerous television shows; been a coveted expert on cable networks and in documentaries; and spent six years as a talent on the nationally syndicated radio program The Tom Joyner Morning Show.
