If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times: the best way to prove your community is truly committed to inclusion is to place inspiring people on the big stage who do not look like everyone else.
It is not to perform some form of empty or fancy window dressing, which still happens much too often in our world, but to show a new generation that there is room for them on that big world stage, often in the form of a simple platform. To a person on the outside, this is huge.
The12th annual "Symphony with Soul" concert and Legacy Awards is an opportunity to showcase excellence in diversity in our African American community.
This annual event will begin with a reception followed by a sit-down dinner at the DeVos Place before the Legacy Awards Ceremony, which will honor Edye Evans Hyde, Rev. Nathaniel Moody, and the Baxter Community Center.
Each will be presented with the Dr. MaLinda P. Sapp Legacy Award, an honor presented to individuals and organizations for their ongoing efforts and accomplishments in diversity in our region.
Immediately following, guests will be escorted to the DeVos Performance Hall for a smorgasbord of rich musical treats in the genres of classical, gospel/spiritual, jazz, and blues and performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Community Chorus, a local youth chorus, and 2013 Grammy-nominated gospel artist Marvin Sapp. Sapp is a resident of Grand Rapids, but loved the world over for his inspiring presentations of song.
Admission: $125
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