100 Years of Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, "Black National Anthem"

Join Dr. Mychal Matsemela-Ali Odom for a discussion of Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing, a song poem first performed at a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday in 1900. Originally written in 1900 and set to music in 1905, Lift Ev'ry Voice is a very popular hymn at social gatherings including churches and a most cherished battle song in the struggle for civil rights, freedom and social justice. 

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Following the performance at the Lincoln celebration, Lift Ev'ry Voice quickly became a rallying cry for Black communities in the South, or as one observer noted at the time, “a collective prayer.” The song grew in popularity so much so quickly that in 1919, the NAACP made it its "official song" and dubbed it "The Negro National Anthem" for its power in voicing a cry for liberation and affirmation for African-Americans. When Beyoncé performed the song to wide acclaim in 2018 at Coachella, she joined a long list of Black performers and historical figures who have performed Lift Ev'ry Voice or recited the poem at key moments in the nation's history.

Professor Odom holds a doctorate in history from UC San Diego. His research emphasis is in the history of pan-African and Black internationalist social movements. He is currently working on a book manuscript titled From Southern California to Southern Africa: Translocal Black Internationalism in Los Angeles and San Diego from Civil Rights to Antiapartheid, 1960 to 1994.” Prof. Odom is currently a postdoctoral fellow in Interdisciplinary humanities at the University of San Diego.

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Parking is underground and free with 2-hour validation. The Central Library is one block from the Park & Market stop on the Trolley Blue and Orange lines.  Bus route 11 stops right in front of the library.

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