Albany Museum of Art & Albany Civil Rights Institute Host Lift Every Voice Concert

Lift Every Voice

Tuesday, February 23
6:00 to 8:00 PM
Albany State University West Campus| J Building Theater

The Albany Civil Rights Institute along with the Albany Museum of Art welcome you to attend the 2017 Lift Every Voice: Black History Month Concert. It will be held on Thursday February 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Albany State University West Campus in the J Building Theater. This free event endeavors to embody the spirit of the song it was named for. Written in 1899, “Lift Every Voice” was considered to be the cry of freedom from the African American people. Regarded in present day to be the “Black American National Anthem” this song embodies the African American struggle, as well as their spirit of hope. The 2017 Lift Every Voice event will equally “ring the harmonies of liberty” by highlighting African American history and culture and bringing all manner of people together, regardless of color. In its fourth year, the concert will bring together for a night of celebration, the Freedom Singers, Junior Freedom Singers, and choirs from Dougherty County Middle and High Schools, Deerfield-Windsor School and Sherwood Christian Academy.

Due to the violent storm damage that the Albany Museum of Art suffered over the past month, the event coordinators were forced to move the venue to the Albany State University West Campus. The recovery process for the building will be long and arduous. However, despite the

damage, the Albany Museum of Art is moving forward with many of their scheduled events in an effort to continue the important cultural contribution that they provide to the city of Albany. The Albany Museum of Art and the Albany Civil Rights Institute are thankful that Albany State University is so graciously willing to open their doors for this wonderful event.
This year, Lift Every Voice is presented in celebration of the Grand Opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the nineteenth museum of the Smithsonian Institution and is located at the foot of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum provides for the collection, study, and establishment of programs and exhibitions related to African American life, history, art, and culture. It is a place where people can learn about the diversity of the African American experience; it is a place of meaning, memory, reflection, laughter, and hope. Lift Every Voice is a part of their global initiative to bring this experience to the nation and across the world.

Join the Albany Civil Rights Institute, the Albany Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture as they celebrate the rich history of African Americans through Lift Every Voice on Thursday, February 23.