Prioritizing Black and Indigenous participation, the mission of the Ujima Singers is to bring musical and cultural collectivity to the Black community here in Western Mass! Founder Evelyn Harris specialized in music as activism, and aimed to create a space for intergenerational education through song, a torch that she passed to current director Indë Francis. Repertoire includes a variety of Negro Spirituals, blues music, and R&B.
In our sacred circle, Black and Indigenous community members are empowered, and our voices join in songs of justice and resilience. Ujima Singers have a unique responsibility; to learn Black American music and share it so that our BIPoC siblings throughout the region might be represented, educated, and empowered.
Most Ujima Singers are not performers. Most of us do not identify as "musicians." Yet we make music. Yes, we do! And when we share it, we perform. We perform to share. Ujima is a Swahili word that means "collective work and responsibility." Through confidence, love, and feeling, we can join in ujima and share our soul.
