As a gospel choir, Black Voices has a long and illustrious history at
the University of Kentucky. Founded in 1970, the choir had its beginnings
when a small group of African American students came together based on
their mutual love of gospel music. After meeting over several months,
the idea was proposed to formally organize as a gospel choir and to seek
official recognition as a UK student organization. A constitution was
developed and ratified, in addition to the choir gaining official University
recognition later that year. The choir, directed by Mrs. Lutischa Coleman-Morton,
was formally established in 1970, with the assistance of Minority Student
Affairs Office now known as The African American Student Affairs Office.
There have been many highlights in the long history of the choir. The choir has performed in the National Collegiate Gospel Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, the “Bobby Jones Gospel Explosion”, the Gospel Praise Company Workshop, and they were hosted by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The UK Black Voices have two recordings to their credit, “God Is”, which was recorded in 1974, and “Victory Shall be Mine”, recorded in 1975. More recently, the UK Black Voices won the first “Battle of the Choirs”, held in Lexington, Ky featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and they were blessed to lead the worship service for the Mississippi Mass Choir (June 2000). In March 2000, the UK Black Voices held the first campus-wide Gospel revival entitled “Even Me? Even You!”; they were awarded the “Outstanding African American Student Organization” (April 2000), and held their first campus-wide Holiday Program (December 2001).
From its origin to the present, the UK Black Voices has continued to play a vital role in the recruitment of African American students to the UK campus and enriching their lives while attending the University of Kentucky. Since its 26th anniversary year, UK Black Voices receive academic credit for class participation, while continuing to carry on a fine tradition of promoting good will through music. As the University of Kentucky Black Voices continue their work and long tradition of excellence, it is with a spirit of optimism and enthusiasm to rededicate themselves to the mission of advancing the rich tradition of African American Spiritual and Gospel Music.
BLACK VOICES MISSION
The purpose and mission of the UK Black Voices Gospel Choir is to be an
outlet for any student, at the University of Kentucky, to musically express
themselves through gospel music and to positively act as a means of public
relations toward recruitment for the University.
Psalm 118:23 “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in
our eyes.”
