Music that inspires and words that motivate will highlight the 25th “Silver Anniversary” Gospel Celebration Reunion Concert Saturday, May 4. Over the years, the annual celebration entertained and inspired more than 2,300 audience members and has become one of the largest multicultural events in Contra Costa County. The focus of this year’s event is on how to make a more socially just society. In the vein of this focus, Choir Director and Musical Professor Silvester Henderson said the theme of the event is “faith, Inspiration, and Resilience: A Pathway to Higher Education.”

Henderson, who organized the celebration 25 years ago, spoke of the event as a community unifier.

“The LMC Gospel Choir is committed to promoting Equality, Equity and Inclusion by using gospel music as an artistic academic and community unifier, to discuss issues regarding lack of the faculty diversity, inmate education, foster youth, and poor academic access for black and brown students within higher Education,” said Henderson sharing his goals for the event.

The celebration’s purpose is to inform the general community in the San Francisco Bay area of the excellence of LMC’s department of music, to support the arts and bring the community together. It will feature individuals to talk about important topics, specifically with regards to inequality and give students the chance to meet world famous artists.

This year the Vocal Artist, Kyla Jade from the TV Show “The Voice,” will be featured as special musical guest speaker. Dr. Kirk Anthony Jame of New York University will come as Motivational guest speaker.

Local guests include LMC Chamber Chorale Casey, Erica Pringle, Palma Ceia, Baptist Church Reunion Mass Choir, Faith Chorale, Angelo Luster and Ric Alexander    

Women of color will also be given awards for their contributions to society. The “Celebration of Women’s Diversity” Award Recipients are Guided Pathways Regional Coordinator Chelsea Esquibias, Vice President of the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges Pamela Haynes, Vice Provost of Diversity and Engagement Office of the President of UC Berkeley, Dr. Yvette Gullatt.

The event will be on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in LMC’s Recital Hall. Pre-ordered tickets cost $25 while tickets bought at the entrance will cost $27.  For more information, call (925) 565-6107 or email Silvester Henderson at [email protected].