NAACP Presents The Central State University Chorus

Central State University has served as the launching pad for a number of outstanding singers who have captivated the hearts and imaginations of the world.  Few are aware Ms. Leontyne Price, Ms. Roberta Alexander and, of course, Columbus's own Nancy Wilson are all Central State alumni. 

On Sunday, February 12, 2012 northwest Ohio residents will have the opportunity to experience the legacy of Central State as the 100 voice chorus renders a concert to benefit the Toledo Branch of the NAACP.

While the chorus  repertoire  is most certainly inclusive representing all genre's of music,  these extraordinarily gifted young men and women will lift their voice to praise and salute African American composers/and arrangers.   

 In 1993, the Chorus performed with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, resulting in the Telarc International CD, A Gospel Celebration, Amen. The disk was nominated for a Grammy Award, and also featured Jennifer Holliday, Maureen McGovern and Lou Rawls.

The Chorus has also recorded Blue Monday and Porgy and Bess for Telarc and the Cincinnati Pops.  In 1988, the singers performed in Washington for President George Bush, and in 1990-92, they performed on a national Black Entertainment Network broadcast with Bobby Jones.

Conductor William Henry Caldwell is director of vocal and choral activities at CSU. Caldwell himself has performed across the country as a baritone soloist and choral clinician.

 The Chorus has also recorded with Bill Cosby, Arsenio Hall and the President of Senegal, and have two albums of classicals, spirituals and gospel music of their own.

The singers play a very active role in campus events and serve as goodwill artists and ambassadors in a wide variety of settings, including conventions, banquets and convocations.

In March of 2001, the Central State University Chorus made its first historic tour of England and France. The chorus had the rare opportunity to perform in several of the world's most historic churches and cathedrals including: Holy Trinity at Stratford Upon Avon, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Canterbury Cathedral, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the American Church in Paris.

Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. The NAACP has been in existence for over a century securing victories in the struggle social justice and equality.  Reverend Kevin J. Bedford is the president of the Toledo Branch of the NAACP.

The event starts at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012. For tickets [$10.00 per person] and additional information call 419-248-4623.

"Valentine's Evening of Jazz"

The St. Phillip Lutheran Church Fundraising committee presents " A Valentines Evening of Jazz, on February 18, 2012 at the Pinnacle in Maumee, Ohio.  It will be an evening of food, dancing and music.  The entertainment includes Jesse Coleman and the Jamm Bond featuring vocalist Vicky Simpson-Brooks, as well as Jenese & Company.

The purpose of the event is to raise dollars to purchase a property allowing the church to improve church security and simultaneously begin the process providing outreach opportunities for the church to impact children through computer training and adding a playground area for its day care porgram that will begin in early Spring of 2012.

Consider supporting the St. Phillip Lutheran Church and   its 75th year in ministry.  Tickets are $50.00 per person and can be purchased by calling the church at 419-475-2835.

Eleventh Annual Martin Luther King Unity Day Celebration                      

Just like its predecessors, the 11th Annual Martin Luther King Unity Day Celebration continued to inspire.   This year's co -chairpersons, Dr. Shanda Gore, Director of Equity and Diversity for the University of Toledo and Mr. Bill Stewart, Special Project's Manager, Office of the Mayor [City of Toledo],  added new and greater dimensions to this annual celebration while holding on to important traditions  like the Toledo Mass Choir.                                      

The Mass Choir, a perennial crowd favorite  - once again -wowed the audience.   As always, this group of men and women , representing  various community churches  under the direction of Mr. Derrick Roberts, reminded us of the power and majesty of the song.

The Mass Choir never fails to evoke that special spiritual and human connection from their audiences and they didn't fall short of the mark this year.  Rousing and robust, their songs were almost evangelical calling out to those within earshot, join us as we celebrate this man who gave his life for freedom. Join us as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Their rendition of both our National Anthem and the Lord's Prayer was not nearly magnificent, it was magnificent!

Posting the Colors

Another important tradition concurring during the beginning of the ceremony is the combined efforts of representatives of the Armed Forces and the Toledo Police Department paying tribute to men and women who have served this country. It is fitting the very ceremony that pays tribute to a man who fought for freedom begin with a tribute to veterans and military personnel who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms.

Grounded in the knowledge that "freedom ain't free", there is a very high price many of us have paid. We know, without a shadow of a doubt  the Posting of the Colors is  one tradition that will never go away. 

Our Community's Leadership in Full Force

Thanks to both the leadership of the city of Toledo and the University of Toledo, the MLK Unity Day event is one of the largest in the state of Ohio.  It is interesting to note that both Mayor Mike Bell, the University of Toledo's president, Lloyd Jacobs not only supported the event financial, but .. took an active role in the celebration.

Kids on Board

Two schools are consistently represented at the MLK Celebration.  The young ladies from Ella P. Stewart Academy for Girls joined the young men from Martin Luther King Academy for Boys.

During  one portion of the program they were encouraged by Mayor Mike Bell to stand and recite their individual school creeds and they  responded like champions to the delight of those in attendance.

Both Dr. Gore and Mr. Stewart committed themselves to insuring kids were not just in attendance, but were very much a part of the days program activities. Kids volunteered, performed and represented this community very well during the course of the week and obviously during the ceremony.  We thought we'd share a few pictures with you!

Keynote Speaker Hari Jones Impressive!

This year's keynote speaker, Mr. Hari Jones, curator for the African American Civil War Museum in Washington D.C., was profoundly in tune to Toledo.  Jones intricately weaved  his knowledge of Toledo and its' history into his comments on freedom.  

At one point during the event, he even quoted Toledo's own Art Tatum. Quoting Tatum Jones said, "There is no such thing as a wrong note",  as he called upon the community to join the great world  jazz ensemble.  Encouraging everyone to understand how important each person's vote is he said,  "Your note is your vote!"

Jones, on a mission to unearth the truth as to the role slaves and former slaves played in the fight for their personal freedoms, used the constitution as a backdrop and demonstrated the importance of the document and how those who fought for freedom completely understood the importance of the document and the security it held for all people.

A captivating speaker, Jones is an even better human being.  At the conclusion of the ceremony and the event, Jones took his time and greeted well-wishers,signing autographs and taking pictures with those who approached.  Commenting later he said, "I like this community!"  That says a lot about this former Marine Captain and Intelligence Officer from Oklahoma who has charged himself with an enormous responsibility, and that is ... to seek the truth about African American participation in the Civil War.

Later in the Day .....

Jones found himself at Third Baptist Church, the oldest African American Baptist Church in the city of Toledo.  Jones, at the request of The African American Legacy Project spoke to members of the Toledo community about his own research and the importance of protecting the historical record.

Jones learned learned Mrs. Sheryl Riggs, Managing Director of the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, Inc. had chosen The African American Legacy Project to be the perennial caretaker of the nearly 100 -year-old funeral home record he wanted to share the importance of protecting that record with the  community.

Fittingly, re-en actors of Ohio's  5th United States Colored Infantry Regiment welcomed and engaged Mr. Jones before and after  Posting  the Colors to begin the afternoon program at Third Baptist.  and several  extended a hand of friendship and a debt of gratitude to Mr. Jones for his groundbreaking work.

Mr. Jone had already met several of the re-en-actors as several had already visited the African American Civil War Museum and chatted with Mr. Jones on  prior occasions.

Jones Says, "Check the Record!"

A profound researcher Jones knows that the role of African American's in the Civil War has been blurred by some formal or informal oversight. How does he know? He checked the record!  Checking the record became a re-occurring theme throughout Mr, Jones afternoon presentation.

   It soon became apparent to every audience member, Mr. Jones  Mr. Jones trying to drive home the point that the written document authored by persons who had first-hand experiences of persons were worth there weight in gold. 

He emphasized that too often those who have told the history of African Americans were not always as accurate as they could have been and it is up to us to protect that precious documentation that will more accurately tell the African American story.

Jones afternoon audience at Third Baptist was largely a mature audience and couched within the overall audience were a number of African Americans who have been greatly involved in genealogy research.

The group  is The African American Legacy Project's genealogy group known as the Journey group - is led by Dr. Shirley Green and Mr. Gary Franklin  - meets at the African American Legacy Project's building, 2321 Upton Avenue, every second Saturday of the month at 1:00 p.m. 

 Attuned to his African American roots Mr. Jones, at times sounded more like a theologian than a scholar, but make no mistake Mr. Jones  scholarly presentation left no mistake he is a extraordinary researcher.

His ability to weave anecdotal stories alongside of his factual historical representations, Mr. Jones it was obvious the entire room was completely enamored with this gifted individual who has given a voice to those whose voices have remained silent for more than 100 years.  Hari Jones continues to speak on behalf of his ancestors. He speaks of their valor, their commitment to be free and the true role they played in their own quest for freedom.

Check the record, he continued to evoke throughout his afternoon presentation and before long the audience became his chorus, mimicking and indulging his call to protect those precious documents that reflect and confirm the a far truer  African American experience.

Mr.Jones appearance was to raise the community's awareness of The African American Legacy Project's need to raise funds necessary to acquire a specific archival software in order to adequately secure and share the records of the [Wanzo] Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, Inc.

The event also served as an opportunity for The African American Legacy Project to appeal to the community to share obituaries and old military records with the organization. Just before the audience joined Mr. Jones for a reception following the program  several people in attendance  shared personal and military records with The AALP.  

Additionally, The AALP raised $1,200 in support of their desire to acquire a new technology which will allow it to better share their records with the community-at-large. using the latest technology.

If you would like to support The African American Legacy Project or desire more information about our quest to obtain  qa new archival software,  please call 419-720-4369.

                                                                                  -  30 -