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A resolution honoring the life of Bernice Johnson Reagon.
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WHEREAS, on July 16, 2024, civil rights activist and singer Bernice Johnson Reagon died at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Reagon was born in 1942 outside of Albany, Georgia and was the daughter of a Baptist minister. She grew up in a closely connected African American community and spent much of her childhood in a church rooted in spirituals and hymns; and
WHEREAS, in 1959, Reagon attended Albany State College, a historically Black public college in Georgia where she studied music. During her time at Albany State College, Reagon began to take an interest in activism and joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, during her time with the SNCC and NAACP, Reagon assisted in voter registration drives and anti-segregation protests, including singing at rallies and demonstrations; and
WHEREAS, in 1961, Reagon was jailed for her participation in a civil rights demonstration, later resulting in her expulsion from Albany State College. While imprisoned, Reagon sang and recognized the power music has in maintaining community, and credited this experience with guiding her throughout her career; and
WHEREAS, Reagon was later accepted to Spelman College and eventually went on to complete her undergraduate degree after taking a break to create the SNCC Freedom Singers with co-founder Cordell Reagon; and
WHEREAS, Bernice married Freedom Singers co-founder Cordell Reagon in 1963, and the couple had two children together before divorcing in 1967; and
WHEREAS, Reagon returned to academia and received the Ford Foundation Fellowship which enabled her to move to Washington, D.C. and earn her Ph.D. in History from Howard University; and
WHEREAS, during her time at Howard University, Reagon was the Vocal Director of the Black Repertory Theater in D.C. and created the all-female, all-Black acapella group, Honey in the Rock; and
WHEREAS, Honey in the Rock recorded numerous albums, toured nationally and internationally, and became world famous under Reagon’s leadership as director from 1973 to 2003; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Reagon’s activism grew and included the anti-apartheid movement, and she became a leading scholar of Black musical life; and
WHEREAS, Reagon received a music history appointment at the Smithsonian and worked at the institution for almost 20 years, successfully expanding the National Museum of American History’s mission to include a greater focus on minority contributions to American life; and
WHEREAS, Reagon also received a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” which enabled her to complete the Peabody award-winning 26-part NPR documentary called Wade in the Water; and
WHEREAS, later in recognition of her work in humanities, Reagon was awarded the Charles Frankel Prize and the Presidential Medal; and
WHEREAS, Bernice Johnson Reagon dedicated her life and career to social justice and protest through song, and her voice became a pivotal force in the fight for civil rights; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honor the life of Bernice Johnson Reagon and her dedication to freedom and justice through her powerful voice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as honoring the life of Bernice Johnson Reagon.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.