02/10/2026
On February 7, 2026, we came together to celebrate Black history with marimba/percussion and Spoken Word at the 100-year-old historic Leonard Reid House (2529 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL, USA). Our program, The Audacity of Hope, brought together poetry, history, and community.
PROGRAM
Introduction:
“Heart of the Drum” by Melanie Lavender and Tihda Vongkoth
“Invocation: Job 14:7-9” adapted by Melanie Lavender and Tihda Vongkoth
Part I. Revolutionary Hope:
“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson/ Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
“To S.M., a Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works” by Phillis Wheatley/ Music from “Summah Nights” from Four Negro Songs by Florence B. Price
“On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phyllis Wheatley/ Music from “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” (traditional)
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes/Music from “Lullaby” (For a Black Mother) by Florence B. Price
Part II. The Audacity of our Hope:
“The Poet” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
“Gulf of Mexico” by Melanie Lavender and Tihda Vongkoth
“God Bless the USA” by Melanie Lavender and Tihda Vongkoth
Part III. Yes, We Can Hope:
Excerpt from “Take Back America” by Barack Obama
“My Reply” by Melanie Lavender
Excerpt from “The Light We Carry” by Michelle Obama
This performance was made possible through a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund, which provided union wages and pension benefits to the musicians.
Your support helps create real pathways for artistic growth and financial stability—opportunities that are too often out of reach for Black (and brown) musicians. While marginalized artists continue to face barriers to economic mobility, investing in their work creates lasting impact. Supporting musicians economically strengthens the entire arts community and ensures that free, high-quality performances remain accessible to everyone.
Thank you to our supporters and partners: Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc., Music Performance Trust Fund, Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, AFM Local 427-721 Florida Gulf Coast Musicians, and the artists themselves for making this possible.
