28 Days of Black Excellence


28 Days of Black Excellence with G. Phillip Shoultz, III

VocalEssence is celebrating 28 Days of Black Excellence this February. VocalEssence will showcase Black achievement in the arts and beyond each day of Black History Month as part of its daily pandemic show, Take 5 with GPS.

Sponsor Black Excellence

Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or even a week of these amazing entrepreneurs. Episodes will be included in the FREE online WITNESS Portal for teachers around the world. Sponsors will be named in the blog posts on the VocalEssence website. You are encouraged to sponsor in honor of a loved one or a beloved organization. Just add their name in the Dedication section of the donation form.

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Sojourner Truth | Women’s History Month with GPS

GPS highlights the life and legacy of Sojourner Truth for this Sunday edition of Take 5. In addition, we take a look at the traditional Negro spiritual, “Plenty Good Room.” Learn More https://sojournertruthmemorial.org/sojourner-truth/her-history/ https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sojourner-truth https://www.nps.gov/people/sojourner-truth.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/sojourner-truth.htm?fbclid=IwAR3AMCWZhp8tbIx8mjKWkza0pHyzVthADFVhfwRogfSv5QjGR_U6mrCeq0M Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day or…  Read More

Judith Jameson | Women’s History Month with GPS

For this Saturday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the artistic and administrative accomplishments of dancer, Judith Jamison, and also shares a terrific Duke Ellington standard, “I’m Beginning to See the Light.” Learn More https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/judith-jamison http://pressroom.alvinailey.org/album?c=25045&t=video&p=24&s=order https://www.ted.com/speakers/judith_jamison Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring a day…  Read More

Elizabeth Catlett | Women’s History Month with GPS

On today’s edition of Take 5, GPS celebrates acclaimed printmaker and sculptor, Elizabeth Catlett, whose work reflects her interest in African art and social issues in the United States and Mexico. Our musical pairing is “I’ll Come Back To You,” as performed by Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers. Learn More https://www.elizabethcatlettart.com/bio https://nmwa.org/art/artists/elizabeth-catlett/ https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/artist-focus-elizabeth-catlett https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/elizabeth-catlett-41…  Read More

Ann Lowe | Women’s History Month with GPS

It’s Wednesday and GPS is getting ready for another Wednesday edition of Take 5. Today he’ll be sharing about Wilma Rudolph, the first woman to win 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games. Our musical pairing is “Git On Board, Little Children,” a traditional Negro Spiritual. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph https://usopm.org/wilma-rudolph/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each…  Read More

Ann Lowe | Women’s History Month with GPS

On this Tuesday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Ann Lowe, first African American to be recognized as a fashion designer. Lowe’s one-of-a-kind designs were a favorite among high society matrons from the 1920s to the 1960s. Our musical pairing is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.…  Read More

Dorothy Irene Height | Women’s History Month with GPS

On this Sunday edition of Take 5, GPS highlights the contributions of Dorothy Irene Height, whose organizational and operational skills were unmatched leading to her prominent role in the movement for Civil Rights and her opportunities to consult with US Presidents and First Ladies. We revisit the Black church for our musical inspiration as we…  Read More

Barbara Jordan | Women’s History Month with GPS

Today, GPS highlights the trailblazing career of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, whose work as an activist and scholar paved the way for many woman that have followed her in public service. We revisit the inspirational and well-known Ben E. King song, “Stand By Me” for our musical inspiration. Learn More https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/16031 https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/barbara-jordan https://www.kff.org/about-barbara-jordan/ Sponsor Black Excellence…  Read More

Althea Gibson | Women’s History Month with GPS

We kick off our weekend with inspiration, song, and a time to recognize the contributions of Althea Gibson, a professional athlete who broke racial barriers in a variety of ways. The Supremes and “Got You Back in My Arms Again” will provide our musical inspiration. Learn More https://www.biography.com/athlete/althea-gibson https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/26/sports/tennis/althea-gibson-statue-us-open.html https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014035.html https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/althea-gibson-is-first-african-american-to-win-wimbledon Sponsor Black Excellence Each…  Read More

Bessie Coleman | Women’s History Month with GPS

Join GPS for another Thursday edition of Take 5 as he shares about pilot Bessie Coleman, 1st African American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot’s license. Our musical pairing is “Baby I Need Your Lovin’,” by Brian and Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, as performed by the Four Tops. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman…  Read More

Misty Copeland | Women’s History Month with GPS

On this Wednesday episode of Take 5 with GPS, we feature Misty Copeland, 1st African American to be named principal ballerina for the American Ballet Theatre. Our musical pairing is South African Anti-Apartheid Song, “We Shall Not Give Up the Fight.” Learn More https://mistycopeland.com/ https://www.abt.org/people/misty-copeland/ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/misty%20copeland Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take…  Read More

Mary McCleod Bethune | Women’s History Month with GPS

Join GPS for a Tuesday edition of Take 5, as he shares about educator and civil rights advocate Mary McCleod Bethune and sings a classic made popular by Marvin Gaye, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by Edward and Brian Holland, and Lamont Dozier. Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune https://www.cookman.edu/about_BCU/history/our_founder.html https://www.nps.gov/mamc/learn/historyculture/mary-mcleod-bethune.htm https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/mary-mcleod-bethune-vanguard-more-than-50-years-black-progress-180975202/ Sponsor Black…  Read More

Ida B. Wells | Women’s History Month with GPS

On this Saturday edition highlighting Black Excellence in Women’s HERstory, GPS highlights the contributions of educator and journalist, Ida B. Wells. Our musical inspiration comes in the form of the Temptations legendary, “My Girl.” Learn More https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ida-b-wells-barnett https://www.nps.gov/people/idabwells.htm https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/barnett-ida-wells-1862-1931/ Sponsor Black Excellence Each episode and blog post take $250 to create and produce. Consider sponsoring…  Read More