The Glide Ensemble sings at City Hall’s Black History Month Celebration
The Glide Ensemble performed at the closing ceremony of the 10th Black History Month Celebration at City Hall. The event, celebrating black community, black businesses and black artists, was hosted by California State Controller Malia Cohen, Mayor London Breed, Supervisor Shamann Walton and District Attorney Broke Jenkins. The event honored black San Franciscans, including famed poet and Glide Memorial Church member, Maya Angelou.
(from left to right) Miranda Wilson, Mayor London Breed, CA Controller Malia Cohen, Supervisor Shamann Walton and DA Broke Jenkins
Mayor London Breed noted the importance of the gathering, stating: “It’s about our ability for all of us to not only lead, but to come together and to work together and continue to build up our community in ways that lifts up everyone. Not just some of us. Not just ‘I got mine’ and ‘you worry about getting yours’. It is ‘we got ours together.’”
The Glide Ensemble at City Hall. Dr. Gina Fromer, GLIDE’s CEO and President is in the center wearing a blue jacket.
As the Glide Ensemble performed I Feel the Spirit, Vernon Bush the Ensemble’s Director, made a dramatic entrance into the event by singing his way down the grand stair case. Next, the Ensemble performed Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is known as the Black National Anthem. The room filled with voices as the crowd sang along to the soulful victory song.
Mayor London Breed was the first to rise and dance during their performance. The crowd cheered and celebrated throughout the Glide Ensembles performances. After their performance, Miranda Wilson the MC for the evening’s festivities, told the Ensemble, “You make us truly proud to sing that anthem.”
The event was broadcast live on GovTV and can be viewed here.