Crossroads News

Alumni, Upper Schoolers Unite for Black History Concert

Black Student Union pays tribute to influential black musicians during Alley showcase.
In honor of Black History Month, Crossroads’ Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a concert on Feb. 9 in the Alley paying homage to black musicians and their songs that have resonated with Americans throughout the years.
 
“BSU Presents ... A Mini History of Black American Music” featured gospel, jazz, blues, soul, R&B and rap selections from students past and present, and was hosted by Dean of Alumni Tom Nolan. Maiya Sykes ’96 kicked the event off by singing the “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” also known as the “Black National Anthem,” and later Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.”
 
Raya Yarbrough ’98 performed a few tunes alongside her father Martin, who befriended Earth, Wind & Fire during the group’s formative years and regaled the audience with memories of the band’s founder, Maurice White, who passed away a few days prior on Feb. 4.
 
Security Officer Larry Sheffield sang “It’s a Miracle,” accompanied on the piano by 11th-grader Alec Schulman. Other student vocalists included 12th-grader Destin Christopher, who rapped Tupac’s “Dear Mama,” and 10th-graders Anaiya Martin, who sang India.Arie’s “Ready for Love,” and Koyan Sidibe, who performed Amy Winehouse’s “Love Is a Losing Game.”
 
Watch their stirring performances in this video, filmed and edited by 10th-grader Jared Press.

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