Mickey Guyton

When Guyton signed to Universal Music Group in 2011, she was the only Black woman backed by a major country music label, The New Yorker reported. Speaking her truth in a genre long lacking diversity, the singer gained more fame in June 2020 with the track “Black Like Me,” a reflection of her own experiences and a response to the police killings of Botham Jean, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

The song rocketed to the top of Spotify’s Hot Country List, and scored Guyton, 39, her first Grammy nomination – making her the first Black female solo artist to earn a Grammy nomination in a country category. The “Better Than You Left Me” singer made history again at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2021, becoming the first Black woman to ever host the show.

Guyton’s red-hot star continues to rise, and she sang the national anthem at Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

Speaking with PEOPLE about her historic Grammy nomination, Guyton said she was determined to ensure she was “not the last” Black woman to receive the honor.

“I have a responsibility to hold the door open for other women of color,” Guyton said. “Another 40 years can’t pass without change.”

For July 4, 2022, Guyton was tapped to host the 42nd annual national Independence Day celebration, broadcast live on PBS from Washington D.C. which she told PEOPLE was “absolutely a real honor.”