Overview
The Chitlin Circuit refers to a collection of performance venues across the United States that were predominantly established for African American entertainers during the 20th century, particularly from the 1920s through the 1970s. These venues were crucial for the development of genres like jazz, blues, and R&B, serving as launching pads for artists like [[james-brown|James Brown]], [[aretha-franklin|Aretha Franklin]], and [[b.b.-king|B.B. King]]. The circuit created a space where Black talent could thrive despite the racial segregation that pervaded mainstream entertainment.