Bettye Franks Forbes Bettye Franks Forbes, Founder & Director, created The Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble in 1979. Her mission was to preserve, promote, and perform the music of the African-American religious experience. Mrs. Forbes was committed to keeping the cultural heritage of African-American music alive. She encouraged appreciation of musical excellence in the performance of spirituals, hymns, praise songs, gospels, and anthems of […]
Juneteenth Celebration
All American Freedom Day:
Renewing Passion for Freedom and Democracy
Monday, June 19 at 7 PM | Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Watch the 2023 Stream Now! […]
With a career that has spanned 31 Broadway seasons, LaChanze consistently brings women of complexity and triumph into the cultural lexicon. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Celie in The Color Purple, originated the role of Ti Moune in Once on This Island (Tony nomination), and upheld her commitment to artistic excellence […]
Rev. Dr. Iva E. Carruthers is General Secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. (SDPC), an interdenominational organization within the African American faith tradition focused on justice and equity issues. SDPC is both a 501c3 and United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). As founding CEO and trustee of SDPC, she has steered the organization as […]
Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. is the recipient of fourteen honorary degrees, including D.D. degrees from Princeton University, Trinity College, Colgate University, and University of Richmond. In 1996 Newsweek recognized Forbes as one of the twelve “most effective preachers” in the English-speaking world. Union Theological Seminary named Forbes the first Harry Emerson Fosdick Adjunct […]
Rev. Mark A. Thompson has spent most of his life as a political, civil rights & human rights activist and organizer. He has been a part of every major social justice movement & event over the past 40 years, and a media broadcaster and commentator for over three decades. Rev. Mark A. Thompson was raised […]