This past week the Village of Harlem and the nation reflect upon the life and contributions of U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who made his transition last week at the age of 94.

It has been a distinct honor to know and collaborate with the Honorable Congressman and his staff on several community-based events, including re-establishing the Annual Christmas in Harlem Tree Lighting Celebration on the Adam Clayton Powell NY State Plaza after nearly a 20-year absence.  At that time, I was serving as President of the New York-New Jersey Fisk Alumni Club and at the event we ushered in seasonal music and home-grown holiday entertainment.

Congressman Rangel was always accessible; particularly when he believed a project was educationally or culturally beneficial to his constituents. When I extended the invitation for him join in welcoming the Fisk Jubilee Singers to Harlem, he graciously accepted my invitation. In good humor, I recall the Congressman smiled broadly after I reminded him that his Congressional colleagues, Representatives John Lewis (D)GA and Alcee Hastings (D)(FL) would be delighted to know that their esteemed colleague participated in the welcoming of our beloved Fisk Jubilee Singers to the Empire State and to Harlem in the “City that never sleeps. Each of those Congressmen was a proud Fisk graduate and has since transitioned.

The Proclamation proclaiming Fisk Jubilee Singers’ Day throughout the five boroughs was presented on behalf of the City of New York and the NYC City Council by Mayor Michael Bloomberg on March 5, 2005. The event was held in the Art Gallery of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in central Harlem. It was a truly joyous ceremony.

The young HBCU singers continue a hallowed tradition of sharing original African American songs birthed during slavery and originally introduced to the world by the original Fisk Jubilee Singers beginning in 1871. Their music of spiritual uplift and encouragement was their balm on plantations and within the confines of worship. The Singers are largely credited with introducing the world to Negro spirituals and work songs for over 150 years. They are widely known as having played a significant historical role in creating a path for broader international acclaim of other forms of Black Arts.

At the 2005 events, the Singers appeared to enjoy a welcomed respite from their busy touring schedule as they performed a special concert at the Apollo Theater for an audience of rambunctious NYC public school students who, after the first song, were calmed and attentive throughout the performance. They also were introduced to and sang before an appreciative Harlem community at Langston Hughes Theater located in the Schomberg Center for the Study and Research of Black History, and at the Riverside Church with special guest artist Ms. Leslie Uggams.

Pictured in 2005: Rev. Michel Faulkner, Pastor of Central Baptist Church; Congressman Charles B. Rangel; Dr. Paul T. Kwami, Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers; Dennis Day, Director of New York State Division of Housing Upper Manhattan Rent Administration;  New York State Senator William “Bill” Perkins.

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