After serving at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church Food Shelf in Minneapolis, members of VocalEssence Singers Of This Age made a trip to the George Floyd Memorial site to pay tribute. While there, they gave voice to this beautiful South African prayer for strength, courage, and compassion in the midst of trying times. May we all be renewed and encouraged in our quest to change the world for better–one song at a time, one loving action at a time. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackVoicesMatter #liftmyvoice #togetherwesing
Championing Black Voices with Cantus
Members of VESOTA as well as G. Phillip Shoultz, III partnered with Cantus on their Championing Black Voices project.
“Black lives have been erased, silenced, and stolen for far too long. If we truly want to see change in the world, each person must take a look within to examine our own motives, thoughts, and biases. It is not enough to be a good person or have good intentions. Every person must commit to actively dismantle racism and discrimination in all its forms. To begin this process, the inherent beauty of all our Black and Brown siblings must be recognized. We must be willing to listen to, learn from, and grow with each other so harmony can be achieved and honor can finally be bestowed upon this nation. Only then will we have a chance to realize peace in the world. This beautiful proverb, as first sung by Sweet Honey In The Rock®, gave Cantus and members of the VocalEssence Singers Of This Age the perfect foundation upon which we can share this call to action––Show up. Listen Up. Stand up. Lead with Love.” G. Phillip Shoultz, III, Founder and Conductor of VocalEssence Singers Of This Age
Through the online series “Championing Black Voices” Cantus will be collaborating with a variety of Black artists, giving them the space to bring to light their lived experiences and artistic visions using our platform alongside our voices.
For more information, visit www.cantussings.org/cbv
“Chinese Proverb” music by Sharon Durant & Ysaye M. Barnwell (Traditional text)
www.sharondurant.com
www.ymbarnwell.com