The need for unity in this country is more necessary now than ever before. The National Baptist Convention has aligned with producers, Terk Entertainment Group and OCTET Productions, to produce “The 2021 Inaugural Gospel Celebration: An Evening of Inspiration and Unity.” The two-hour virtual event features performances from inspirational music artists to celebrate the January 2021 Inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, who are special invited guests of course. The celebration lends a voice of hope, unity and healing to the world.
Throughout the event, a number of the nation’s top gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Dietrick Haddon, Jonathan McReynolds, Leandria Johnson, Tye Tribbett, Koryn Hawthorne, Bryan Popin, Jokia, JJ Hairston, Todd Dulaney, Titus Showers, and Spencer Taylor and the Highway QCs in addition to notable celebrities such as Anthony Anderson, Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut and Lamman Rucker (formerly Jacob Greenleaf!) will join together for a cohesive, COVID-compliant celebration to give viewers a semblance of healing and optimism during this time of crisis.
This necessary celebration will be shown domestically and internationally. This event will also serve as a fundraising effort, benefiting The National Baptist Convention, “I’m In”, a strategic initiative aimed at narrowing the disparity in healthcare in the African American community that has been highlighted during the current pandemic. For more information about the organization, go to https://nbcimin.com. In this new season, we are clear that progress must be made. By standing united together, we’re stronger!
Also, click HERE to learn more about the Rev. Dr. Silvester S. Beaman, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, who will be delivering the the inauguration benediction.
The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the King Center’s week-long celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy although it has been modified. The culminating program for the celebration 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service will be held on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday tomorrow per usual; however, the service will be online. Below is the lineup and how you can register to attend virtually.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Bishop TD Jakes, Bishop of The Potter’s House
REMARKS:
Kirk Franklin, Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Artist and Author
Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary General
DR. KING TRIBUTE:
Ndaba Mandela
Tamika Mallory
Yasmin Poole
Ashley Woods
PRESIDERS:
Reverend Natosha Reid Rice
Pastor Sam Collier
Dr. Bernice A. King, The King Center
PERFORMANCES:
Angella Christie, Gospel Saxophonist,
Tammy Taylor, Gospel Recording Artist
Jekalyn Carr, Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist, Actress and Author
Dr. Joyce Finch Johnson, Organist
Dr. Patrice Turner and the Commemorative Choir, Ebenezer Baptist Church
YOUTH PRESENTATION:
Dr. Connie F. Lindsey
CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS:
Moderator– Nona Jones, Head of Faith-Based Partnerships, Facebook
Pastor Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Free Chapel
Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Pastor Sam Collier, Lead Pastor, Hillsong Atlanta
SPECIAL CONCERT FEATURING :
Jekalyn Carr, Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist, Actress and Author
Introduced by Kirk Franklin, 16-Time Grammy Award Winner
(Immediately Following the Service)
In partnership with KidsRights
www.kidsrights.org
The event will be live streamed on multiple platforms, including Facebook, The King Center web page, and other sources, as well as televised locally on Fox 5 Atlanta. To register, click HERE.
TV One has announced the premiere date of its two-part documentary special UNSUNG PRESENTS: MUSIC & THE MOVEMENT –remembering the artists and songs that have provided the soundtrack to the fight for justice and equality – airing part one on Monday, January 18, 2021, at 8 P.M. ET/7C immediately followed by part two at 9 P.M. ET/8C. On hand to provide commentary about the new musical genre that emerged during pivotal movements in Black Americans tumultuous past and troubling present are Erica Campbell, Big Gipp, Raheem DeVaughn, Rev. Al Sharpton, Isaac Hayes III, Ronda Racha Penrice, Headkrack, Shante Paige, DJ Kemit, Dyana Williams, Angie Ange, Colby Colb, Rickey Vincent, Steve Ivory, Delores Thompson, Dave Washington, Billy Johnson, Jr., Kenny Gamble, P. Frank Williams, Keith Murphy, DJ Yella, Battlecat, Soren Baker, and Felicia “Poetess” Morris.
“Music is the heart and soul of Black culture – giving life to our experiences, voice to our stories and growing power out of our pain,” said Cathy Hughes, Chairwoman, Urban One, Inc. “Every melody, lyric and rhythm artfully depicts the layers of Black diversity, scope of black creativity, and depths of the complexity of our people. TV One’s Music & the Movement special pays homage to the music and music makers whose talents created a soundtrack of Black music during moments of political and social unrest throughout our history. It is another opportunity for us to spotlight Black content.”
“Throughout history, Black music has been a clarion call to amplify the voice of our community and important social and political movements like the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matters Movements,” remarked Robyn Greene Arrington, Vice President of Programming and Production. “After an unprecedented year of social, economic, and political turmoil, we felt MLK Day was a great time to chronicle the ongoing struggles of Black Americans along with those who tirelessly lend their voices to protesting injustice and instigating positive changes for our community and social justice movements.”
Below is the trailer:
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day special incorporates first-hand accounts, interviews with artists and media, coupled with archival footage from memorable speeches, soul-stirring vocal performances, and more. Moments of Black auditory dissent featured in the special spans centuries and includes themes of Negro spirituals, like “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” which provided both a distraction from the harsh conditions of slavery and communication tools for the enslaved as they plotted their escape to freedom; to soul and funk anthems during the Black Power movement performed by Aretha Franklin (“Respect”) and Curtis Mayfield (“People Get Ready”) demanding an immediate change to the political landscape and that civil rights be upheld; to the heart-wrenching viral music videos by young, contemporary artists – like Keedron Bryant’s captivating single “I Just Want to Live” – creating rallying mixtapes for the current Black Lives Matter movement which, this past summer, saw a melting pot of cultures across the globe who marched in solidarity, to protest police brutality. The two one-hour specials serve as a re-examination of the power that music has had to transform a cultural moment into a movement.
Additionally, UNSUNG PRESENTS: MUSIC & THE MOVEMENT will feature the broadcast debut of the original track “KliKKK KlaKKK” by Sunny Dizzle and the group Steaksawse, recently announced as the winner of Reach Media’s “The Song” contest. Presented in partnership with Kevin Liles and 300 Entertainment, the contest was designed to provide an opportunity for an independent artist to create music that reflects the current climate, elevates the collective consciousness, and promotes hope and change. The single will have its global release on Friday, January 15, 2020 and will be featured across Reach Media radio stations.
UNSUNG PRESENTS: MUSIC & THE MOVEMENT is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions’ Arthur Smith and Frank Sinton with Executive Producers Mark Rowland and Co-Executive Producer Kysha Mounia and Co-Executive Producer P. Frank Williams. For TV One, Jason Ryan is Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting, and Robyn Greene Arrington is Vice President of Original Programming and Production.
For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtags #MUSICANDTHEMOVEMENT and #REPRESENT.
Hello World,