Sweet Briar to host annual Gospel Fest on Saturday, Feb. 24

A solo singer performs at Gospel Fest 2016 at Sweet Briar. Photo by Kollin Kirven ’18


The Black Student Alliance at Sweet Briar is sponsoring the College’s annual Gospel Fest from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, in Memorial Chapel. The event is part of Sweet Briar’s Black History Month celebration.

Several local church choirs will perform at Gospel Fest. In addition, there will be a number of dance presentations by Sweet Briar students. As every year, the concert will culminate in a Soul Food Dinner at 6 p.m. in Prothro Dining Hall. Dinner rates for guests are $9.50 for adults and $5.50 for children 11 and younger.

Gospel Fest is the highlight of Sweet Briar’s Black History Month celebration, which features more events this year than ever before. The month kicked off with an “I Have a Dream” Vision Board party on Feb. 6. Each week, the College’s Black Student Alliance hosts a movie about the black experience in America, including “For Colored Girls,” “Loving,” “The Butler” and “The Great Debaters.” Most days during Black History Month will feature the opportunity for small group discussions about the life experiences of black students, as well as the lives of inspirational black Americans.

Daijhanara Jones ’19, president of the Black Student Alliance, says that the celebration of Black History Month at the College is important because it’s a chance to recognize and appreciate the people who have made a difference in the lives of black Americans. It’s also an opportunity to broaden everyone’s perspective. “I hope we can educate people,” Jones says. “I want to change the narrative from ‘I didn’t know’ to something different.”