FROM THE FOUNDER

I couldn’t be more pleased than I am now to welcome you to this presentation of The Denyce Graves Foundation(DGF) Shared Voices initiative, year two, culminating project, Celebrating Women & Music. What we will share today, is our cohort participants’ work and talent, which both excites and thrills my heart. Shared Voices launched September 30, 2022, from the campus of Howard University at the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts here in Washington, D.C.

 

DGF is moving through a whirlwind in our first years and Shared Voices is a focal point. The students you will hear sing today are matriculating at America’s top conservatories and schools of music, and preeminent historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). DGF is pleased to be at the forefront of presenting these developing artists and it is especially poignant here at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).  

 

Our goal is to incite your curiosity and invite your interest as you enjoy what you hear. These young people may become the ‘stars’ of tomorrow; you will have been among the first to have enjoyed their work!

 

So many elements come together for events like this one to take place and our first BIG thank you is to the fabulous team at NMAAHC, Director Kevin Young, Musical Crossroads Curator, Dwandalyn Reece, Music and Performing Arts Curator, Steven Lewis, and Coordinator of Public Programs, Mychalene Giampaoli.

 

DGF was introduced to these esteemed professionals by one of America’s cultural giants, Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie G. Bunch III, to whom we offer heartfelt thanks for the fortuitous introduction. Working with the NMAAHC to curate community days presented opportunity for our Shared Voices Program led by Shared Voices Coordinator, Dr. Liana Valente. Today’s program presents emphasis on lesser-known female composers and artists in vocal arts history. We are proud to officially designate this offering in a place of preservation, which particularly focuses on the African American chronicle.

 

DGF regards our mission and work as necessary, believing, Educating is Activism. 

 

We join all advocates of truth and justice especially those who insist on full story-telling, so with unambiguous pride in today’s composers, their work, and our Shared Voices cohort artists, DGF invites you to learn more by going to our website www.thedenycegravesfoundation.org.   

 

Thank you for listening and joining DGF here today.