Albany State University Commencement Address, December 10, 2011

…We, a new class of December 1961, were welcomed to come forward within a 21st century fold that had remembered that many of us might still be walking among the living.…

“Buses Are A-coming”

For the past year I have been blessed to attend a number of half-century observances of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, beginning in April 2010 at Shaw University, Raleigh NC where SNCC veterans joined with a cross-generational community; then to 2011: the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, Mississippi Civil Rights Veterans and Southwest Georgia Movement gathering in Albany, GA….

I was deeply moved by several projects that shared and taught us again about the Freedom Rides; beginning with Stanley Nelson’s documentary film, “Freedom Riders,” the Oprah Winfrey tribute show, and the Mississippi Reunion…. It was a very special honor to hear my rendition of “Buses Are A-coming” several times and I share it with you here….

Toshi Reagon at Freedom Riders Tribute

In a Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn Freedom Riders Tribute, Toshi Reagon established a line of singers and with orchestral support, created a special collective sonic moment reminding all within the sound of the singing that most of those who took the Freedom Ride half a century ago were under 20 and that there are those of us who remember their songs…

Celebrate Brooklyn Freedom Riders tribute.

Photo credit: YK Hong

I know your father, Cordell Hull Reagon (deceased) and his sister – your aunt – Joy Leonard, who took the trip and did the time in Mississippi Parchman Penitentiary were deeply moved to be held by the tribute you showered on us a half century later…
So very pleased to be your mom…

Statement to Shirley Sherrod

“I hold you in the highest esteem”

On the occasion of Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday

I met Pete Seeger during the Civil Rights Movement, I was a songleader from Albany, GA. Pete became a model for me of a working singer.

“LET IT SHINE” wordsong to Odetta (adapted from liner notes to her last CD “Gonna Let It Shine: A Concert for the Holidays”, MC Records)

“Civil Rights Movement,” in African American Music, an Introduction, editors: Mellonee V. Burnim and Portia K. Maultsby, Routledge Publishers, New York, 2006, pp 598-623.