This lecture examines the historical and contemporary systemic exclusions impacting the authentic representation of Black American Music (BAM). Focusing on the perspectives of Nicholas Payton, a renowned musician and critic, we explore the problematic connotations of the term "jazz" and Payton's advocacy for "Black American Music" as a more accurate label. Through this lens, we investigate the cultural erasure and appropriation tied to BAM and its implications for representation in academic and social contexts.