African American Music Association

Dear Friends and Supporters of the African American Music Association,

We need your help to ensure that the award-winning documentary, Fat Boy: The Billy Stewart Story on the life and music career of the legendary balladeer Billy Stewart (1937-1970) His hit singles "Sitting in the Park" "I Do Love You" and his stunning remake of George Gershwin's "Summertime" and more helped to shape the R&B sound of the 1960s.

The documentary continues to inspire audiences nationwide. Produced and directed by Emmy Award winner Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, with associate producer/scriptwriter GiGi Hinton, this powerful film originally aired on WHUT (Howard University Television) and was picked up by 130 PBS stations across the country—a remarkable achievement.

However, the documentary is now at risk of being dropped from these stations unless we raise $2,600 by January 25, 2026. Without your support, countless viewers will miss the opportunity to learn about the legendary R&B Balladeer Billy Stewart and the rich history of African American music.

Why Your Support Matters

The African American Music Association (AAMA), a dedicated non-profit, is committed to preserving the legacy of iconic artists and musicians. Beverly Lindsay-Johnson has spent over 25 years championing Washington DC’s music culture through her acclaimed documentaries and was honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle for her excellence in 25 years in broadcasting. As she has initiated fundraising campaigns for many community causes, she now needs your support to continue her project.

How You Can Help

We urgently need to raise $2,600 by January 25, 2026.

Your donation will keep Fat Boy: The Billy Stewart Story on 130 PBS stations, allowing more people to discover and celebrate Billy Stewart’s legacy. As AAMA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all contributions are tax-deductible.

Donations received before December 31, 2025: Tax-deductible for your 2025 tax statement

Donations received January 1–25, 2026: Tax-deductible for your 2026 tax statement

Make Your Donation

Make your donation by clicking the button.

Thank you for your support and for helping us preserve the legacy of the legendary Billy Stewart and R&B music for future generations.

Hello, The African American Music Association is reaching out to the music community and others as we honor the life of Jimi Dougans.

Jimi Dougans, a native Washingtonian, was one of the original founding members of the talented band, The Young Senators. The original members included percussionist Jimi Dougans, guitarist Calvin Charity, vocalist Derek David, keyboardist Frank Hooker, drummer James Johnson, saxophonist Leroy Fleming, and bassist Wornell Jones. The Young Senators gained popularity in the 1960s and are credited as the creators of DC's popular Go-Go music. The Young Senators recording "Jungle" reached the Billboard Charts. The Young Senators, at the height of their popularity, were chosen by Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations as his recording and touring band upon his departure from the Temptations and going solo.

The Young Senator's band backed up Eddie Kendricks hits such as "Keep On Trucking", "Boogie Down Baby", "Girl You Need A Change of Mind", and "My People...Hold On" to name a few.

Jimi Dougans played percussions behind Eddie Kendricks and can be seen on such concert television shows such as The Midnight Special (1974). Jimi idolized Eddie Kendricks and was devoted to continuing the legacy of Eddie Kendricks w/the Young Senators by presenting an annual showcase at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC, which continued for a number of years.

In 1990, Jimi joined the group Commitment. Their recording "Everything's Alright" became a regional hit.

In 2016, Jimi reunited the band and in 2017, the group performed at the Howard Theatre under the name The Young Senators Reloaded.

Jimi Dougans was passionate in preserving the legacy of DC's music culture. Jimi's loving wife, Sherry Ellison Dougans, became his promotions manager and supported all of his music projects.

The African American Music Association (AAMA), a 501 (c3) non-profit organization is reaching out to the community both local and nationwide in raising funds to assist with the planning of a "Celebration of Life" of the late Jimi Dougans. We hope to have your support. You can donate from $10 to whatever above you wish to donate. Your donation is tax deductible.

Here are a few links to Jimi Dougan's talents:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu0p65VX3os&list=RDXu0p65VX3os&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpgxvvZ0COE

The African American Music Association in Washington, DC celebrates DC Doo-Wop groups and solo artists who have made significant contributions to the Doo-Wop genre of popular music from the 1940s to the 1960s, through its critically acclaimed photographic and memorabilia gallery exhibit. We are currently raising funds to reframe 60 photographs that were originally framed in 2005. Our next exhibit will be on display in the Great Hall at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC and Harmony Hall Regional Arts Center Exhibit Hall in Fort Washington, MD. Both will be on display in June in honor of Black Music Month.

You can help us by contributing a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more.

Our goal is to raise $7,000. Our mission is to preserve, protect and foster the continued development of African American music and the legacy of those who compose, record and perform the music.

Help us to honor these pioneers of African American music history and culture.

Click on this link to make your donation: https://paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2012487

Thank you for your support.