Landmarks

Awards and Recognition

It is humbling and restorative to receive recognition for work that is your passion – work that comes as breath. We live in a compartmentalized society and in order to evidence existence, one has to have more than a name to show worthiness. We not only need to name what we do but are asked to identify the organizational unit under which that work is done. Being a cultural historian, singer, composer, producer, teacher, writer, activist... really too much to compute. Imagine my surprise when I began to get awards that collected my offerings across three institutions into one sentence as work worthy of support. I remember being warmed by the notion of “making sense as a unified whole” to more than myself.

Introduction of Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon by Rick Spalding, Chaplain at Williams College, Berkshire Institute for Student Activism: November 11, 2006 closing presentation to a conference of students, faculty and Community activists exploring ways to have student led organizing linked with issues in the community hosting the campuses. The event began with Reagon leading the Williams Gospel choir in two freedom songs: Coalition Building and the Power of Song.
Read the text.
1989 MacArthur Fellowship: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
“The Fellows Award is given in recognition of your accomplishments in Music and African American Culture which demonstrate your originality, dedication to creative pursuits, and capacity for self direction.”
“In all of her areas, Dr. Reagon’s contribution in the field of Black music and culture is unique; she (alone) has achieved the synthesis of serious, scholarly, analytical endeavor, combining it with creative songwriting, stylistic analysis of performances and creation of new performing genres, styles and programs... In each area of endeavor, she has ploughed new ground, drawing on her knowledge of Black history and cultural style, to provide perceptive analysis in galvanizing new creative productions. Thus in all honesty, it is not possible to compare Dr. Reagon with others becaus she has created her own field and those who follow her are far behind.”
The 2003 Heinz Award for Arts and Humanities: “Dr. Reagon has brought passion, intelligence, and eloquence to her every endeavor, and our nation has been ennobled by her groundbreaking contributions.”
—Teresa Heinz
complete 2003 Heinz Award Acceptance Speech
1995 Presidential Medal and the Charles E Frankel Prize for contributions to the public understanding of the Humanities: “For nearly 35 years, Bernice Johnson Reagon has helped preserve, celebrate and illuminate the rich heritage of African American music and culture in a variety of ways; as a civil rights activist, as a singer-composer, as a historian and museum curator. Her multiple career works are linked by an unswerving dedication to recovering, recording, and interpreting African American vocal music for the appreciation of all Americans.”
2000 First National Leeway Laurel Award, Leeway Foundation of Philadelphia: Philadelphia artist Linda Lee Alter established the Leeway Foundation in 1993 to promote female artists in the five-county Philadelphia area. The Leeway Laurel is a new national grant established by the foundation to recognize an outstanding and inspirational American woman artist for her contributions to the arts and to her community. The award honors a woman of exceptional talent who inspires others, both as an artist and a person. Bernice Johnson Reagon is “perfect example of what we are aiming to find,” said foundation president Alter.

Songtalk Publishing Organized 1978

Management of the Music and Works of Bernice Johnson Reagon

Music licensing: contact Kathy Ostien

Booking: Jodi F. Solomon Speakers Bureau

Music Commissions and other information: e-mail or write to: Songtalk Publishing, PO Box 56482, Washington, DC 20040-6482