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St. Louis-based Jazz artist Anita Jackson masterfully performed some favorite songs by noted artists on Friday, Feb. 28 during the closing ceremony of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Black Heritage Month program. 

Intertwined through Jackson’s melodic offerings such as Etta James’ “At Last,” Nina Simone’s “Four Women” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” were the performances of the SIUE Black Theatre Workshop (BTW). The BTW is coordinated by Kathryn Bentley, co-chair of the Black Heritage Month Committee, director of the SIUE Black Studies Program and associate professor in the Department of Theater and Dance.  

“For my people everywhere singing their slave songs repeatedly: their dirges and their ditties and their blues and jubilees, praying their prayers nightly to an unknown god, bending their knees humbly to an unseen power, …” read freshman Neshay Sanders from “For My People,” by poet and novelist Margaret Walker.  

“What happens to a dream deferred?” read sophomore Sadie Harvey from “Harlem,” by Langston Hughes. “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?” 

“I am truly grateful for those who attended the Black Heritage Month Closing Ceremony,” said Tarsha Moore, co-chair of the Black Heritage Month Committee and assistant director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion.  

“Anita Jackson is an amazing vocalist who captured the audience and took us through a musical journey of black history and heritage. Her voice was coupled with phenomenal performances by our Black Theatre Workshop students. Their poems were an amazing addition to the ceremony, and served as a great way to encourage participants to celebrate Black history and heritage every day of the year.” 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000. 

Photos:
St. Louis-based jazz singer Anita Jackson performs. 

The SIUE Black Theatre Workshop enjoys singing karaoke.