To be televised across the United States on May 31, 'Remember and Shine' will commemorate one of the deadliest events of racist violence in the country's history.
- May 25, 2021
AceShowbiz - R&B star John Legend will join politician and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams at a special event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma's Tulsa Race Massacre.
"Remember & Rise" will be televised across the United States on May 31 to mark the tragic events of 1921, when a violent white mob descended on Tulsa's prominent Greenwood District, known as Black Wall Street, ransacking the booming neighbourhood and killing hundreds of black locals over two days.
The slaughter is one of the deadliest events of racist violence in U.S. history.
"Remember & Rise" will mark the centennial with a keynote speech from Abrams, and a performance from Legend at ONEOK Field in Tulsa. Additional speakers and artists will be announced by officials at the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission in the coming days.
About Legend headlining the nationally televised ceremony, centennial commission's project director Phil Armstrong told the Tulsa World, "When we sat back and asked ourselves who could really elevate this, who could take it to the next level, John Legend was obviously a great fit." He added, "Having him involved ensures a global audience will learn the history of what occurred here 100 years ago."
As for Abrams' keynote speech, Armstrong stated, "We are excited to hear from Stacey in person and apply her tenacity and dedication to the reconciliation of Greenwood beyond this year." He went on to say, "Her tireless efforts to create equity and access for Black Georgia voters has inspired the entire country to re-envision what inclusive structures, systems and communities should look like."
