Building Bridges Through Singing

On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Delta Arts Center resonated with music, meaning, and unity as Building Bridges Through Singing (BBTS) partnered with the Center to present an unforgettable Juneteenth Celebration of Song and Spoken Word.

This community-centered event commemorated the emancipation of the last group of enslaved Africans in the United States—marking a powerful moment in American history through a blend of storytelling, spirituals, gospel, jazz, and communal singing. The evening served not only as a tribute to freedom but also as a vibrant reminder of music’s power to heal, educate, and unite.

The celebration featured a talented lineup of local vocalists and community leaders, including:

• Joshua Campbell, Director of Music and Arts at Wake Forest University School of Divinity and leader of the University Gospel Choir, whose arrangements stirred the audience to reflection and joy.

• Diana Tuffin, the soulful, multilingual jazz and blues vocalist, delivered moving performances steeped in the legacy of African American musical tradition.

• Donna Cooke, Music Director of the Yadkin Valley Singers and pianist at Sherwood Forest UMC, brought grace and strength to the evening’s musical offerings.

• Emory Jones, of the Twin City Choristers, shared vocal depth that honored the spiritual roots of the celebration.

• Deborah Daniels, Music Director for Voices of God's Children, uplifted the audience with her passionate leadership in song.

Throughout the evening, audience members were encouraged to participate in the music, joining voices in a collective act of remembrance and celebration. The result was an atmosphere of unity, reflection, and hope—bridging generations and backgrounds through shared song.

The Juneteenth Songfest was more than a concert—it was an educational and emotional journey, rooted in the enduring legacy of African American resilience, culture, and liberation.

As BBTS continues its mission to bring people together across divides through the power of music, events like this remind us that singing together is more than harmony—it’s community in action.

Thank you to all who attended, performed, and supported this beautiful tribute to freedom. Let us continue to sing, remember, and build bridges—together.