
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library hosted an evening of music and working toward equity in honor of the site’s namesake. Commemorating King’s legacy on what would have been his 96th birthday, speakers advocated for justice and Howard University’s “AfroBlue,” performed for the event “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” The show was made possible through the D.C. Public Library Foundation and introduced by Maryann James-Daily, director of the MLK Library.
“I can say that our libraries are the spaces to build community and where everyone can find an answer to this event’s question,” said James-Daily. “For those seeking justice, unity and hope amidst chaos, we are a space to connect and learn.”
Maryann James-Daily, director of the Martin Luther King Memorial Library, gives opening remarks for “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?,” a King birthday observance event held on Jan. 15 at the library. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)AfroBlue set the tone by opening with “Lift Every Voice,” followed by “Go Down Moses,” the traditional African American spiritual. Their blend of harmonies in the a cappella style and accompanied by a trio is similar to similar vocal ensembles like Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, The Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, and Take 6. The group was accompanied by a trio consisting of pianist Tony Walker, bassist Eliot Seppa, and drummer Samuel Prather.AfroBlue’s repertoire for the evening included jazz, blues, songs of faith, and Brazilian-Bossa Nova. The music represented what those working for justice heard in the background when advocating for equal justice, such as “You’ve Changed,” a classic from the American Songbook.
AfroBlue performs “One+One=We,” composed by member KayaZhanna, a Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate and a current senior majoring in Jazz Studies at Howard University. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)The group performed “One+One=We,” an original composition by AfroBlue member KayaZhanna, a native Washingtonian. She graduated from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and is currently a senior majoring in Jazz Studies at Howard University. Derrick Lewis, NAACP interim director for Youth and College, framed the program theme.“Where do we go from here? The truth is, not everyone gets to choose. Some are dealt a hand they did not ask for,” said Lewis. “But for those who can act, the choice is clear. Chaos represents division. Community offers unity, hope and the power to create lasting change.”
Source: Washington Informer