Born out of a need for communication, worship, and hope among the enslaved, spirituals are the backbone of the music we consume today. The African American spiritual (also known as Negro Spirituals) are one of the largest and most significant forms of American folk song. What are the true origins of these songs? Who were the authors and composers of these masterpieces that are still used in modern day worship and protest? How do we honor the legacy of a genre that captures the pain and suffering of a people who equally believed in salvation and freedom?

Join the Office for Institutional Diversity and Shannon Jacob, Part-Time Faculty, African and African Diaspora Studies Program, as we examine the origins of spirituals and engage in deep listening. We will discuss the effectiveness and necessity of these songs in a historical context and further examine how they continue to create an environment that gives us the space to be heard and seen. Participants will understand the significant impact of spirituals and the importance of finding ways to connect with each other using music; to reflect and reckon with the past, and create sustainable change in the present that sets our future on an upward trajectory towards ultimate freedom for all. This session will provide a heightened sense of understanding and empathy brought on by the study of history, music, and humanity.

Please register by November 22nd via https://forms.gle/e7wihsc9arvL3WUBA