Shawn Maxam Selects

About the Playlist

February 11, 2021

Black History Month

Shawn Maxam is Senior Associate Director for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Princeton University. In this role, he leads strategic partnerships and projects associated with campus climate, academic departments, data analysis, and history and sense of place, among others.

STEVIE WONDER Love’s in Need of Love Today
Stevie Wonder is one of the greatest artists and songwriters of all time. This is one of my favorites on a classic album “Songs in the Key of Life.” I feel like the message is always timely.

JANET JACKSON Rhythm Nation
This song is just powerful, and the message resonates today as much as did when first released. I also loved watching the music video while growing up.

WAYNE SHORTER Footprints
I studied Jazz in undergrad, and although my instrument was voice, I love the great composers and leaders like Wayne Shorter. This is one of my faves.

ANTWAN PATTON, ANDRE BENJAMIN,
RUBEN BAILEY, ERICA WRIGHT,
JOI GILLIAM, MYRNA CRENSHAW, and THOMAS BURTON Liberation
Outkast
I played this song on repeat back when I listened to music on CDs. Growing up in Brooklyn, it was strange for one of my favorite raps groups to be from the South. Music was much more regional back then, but Outkast broke through.

ERICA WRIGHT and JAMES YANCEY Didn’t Cha Know
Erykah Badu
I just love the groove of this song and can recall jamming to this at home with my siblings when we made mixes the old fashion way.