What Does It Mean to Back Black Belonging?
The tenet of belonging has anchored Hued Songs since our inception in South Florida. Now, we're honored to expand our roots to Tulsa – a city where Black excellence, entrepreneurship, artistry, and community-building have flourished for generations. Too often, we find Black history reduced to moments of tragedy, but we know that Tulsa is a city of cultural richness, creative resilience, and ongoing renaissance.
Backing Black Belonging emerged from one simple, but critical statement: I want to belong EVERYWHERE. This series exists as both declaration and invitation – a deliberate claiming of spaces where Black artists have historically been underrepresented. It challenges the notion that Black creativity belongs only in certain venues or art forms.
Tonight's performance unfolds in four sections: To Wonder, To Love, To Dream, To Pray. Each illuminates the multifaceted nature of Black culture. Across TWO Steinways, we'll fill this space with sounds of Black classical composers, original R&B, and gospel –celebrating the breadth of Black artistry in a space not traditionally known for its diversity.
We extend our gratitude to everyone joining us tonight. While this performance centers Black artistry, its message of belonging is universal. Thank you for being part of this journey – not as spectators, but as essential participants in building a community where belonging isn't just a hope, but a reality we create together.
Kunya C Rowley, Executive Artistic Director
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THE PERFORMANCE
i.To Wonder My People, Jasmine Williams | Words by Langston Hughes, Music by Ricky Ian Gordon 1. Plenty, Tea Rush | Lyrics & Music by Tea Rush 2. Someday We’ll All Be Free, J’von Brown | Words by Edward Howard & Donny Hathaway, Music by Donny Hathaway
ii. To Love
Give Me Nobody Without Your Soul from the opera Blue Steel, Jasmine Williams | Composed by William Grant Still 1. Genius Child, J’von Brown | Words by Langston Hughes, Music by Robert Owens 2. More, Tea Rush | Lyrics & Music by Tea Rush 3.
iii. To Dream Dream Variations, Kunya Rowley | Lyrics by Langston Hughes, Music by Brandon Spencer 1. No Chances, Tea Rush | Lyrics & Music by Tea Rush 2. I Dream a World, J’von Brown | Lyrics by Langston Hughes, Music by Rosephanye Powell 3. Hold Fast to Dreams, Jasmine Williams | Lyrics by Langston Hughes, Music by Florence Price 4.
iv. To Pray
Prayer, J’von Brown | Lyrics by Langston Hughes, Music by Leslie Adams 1. Witness, Kunya Rowley | Arranged by Hall Johnson 2. His Eye is on the Sparrow, Jasmine Williams 3.
v. Closing: To Hope
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A B O U T H U E D S O N G S
Hued Songs creates experiences that amplify Black joy, creativity, and Belonging, operating under three central tenets
1) To provide a platform on which Black and Brown artists can be seen, heard, & paid
2) The arts are a right- not a privilege. Thus we work to remove barriers to performanes associated with cost, location, and perception.
3) To build community through culturallyaffirming experiences and performances. For more, visit huedsongs.org.