‘Lift Every Voice’ concert set for Thursday at ASU West Campus

ALBANY — The Albany Civil Rights Institute, in conjunction with the Albany Museum of Art, will host the fourth annual “Lift Every Voice” Black History Month Concert on Thursday at Albany State University’s West Campus.

The event is part of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s “Lift Every Voice” initiative, a global program to showcase the depth and breadth of African American history and culture across the nation and around the world.

In its fourth year, the 2017 concert will bring together for a night of celebration the celebrated Freedom Singers, Junior Freedom Singers, and choirs from Dougherty Middle School, Dougherty High School, Deerfield-Windsor School and Sherwood Christian Academy.

Written in 1899, “Lift Every Voice” has been called the cry of freedom from the African American people. Regarded by many as the “black American National Anthem,” the song embodies the African American struggle, as well as a spirit of hope. Organizers say 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.

Due to the storm damage that the Albany Museum of Art suffered in January, event coordinators were forced to move the venue to the Albany State University West Campus. According to AMA Executive Director Paula Williams, the recovery process for the building will be long and arduous.

However, despite the damage, the AMA is moving forward with many of its scheduled events in an effort to continue the important cultural contribution that the museum provides to the city of Albany. AMA and the ACRI officials praised Albany State officials for “opening their doors for this wonderful event.”

The concert will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Albany State West J Building/Theater.

The event is presented in celebration of the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and is free and open to the public

For more information, call the AMA at (229) 439-8400 or the ACRI at (229) 432-1698.