Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey Comes to Louisville, Celebrating the Legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers

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Kentucky Center for African American Heritage to host national traveling exhibition September 18, 2026 –
February 28, 2027

LOUISVILLE, KY. [August 10, 2026] Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey, the traveling exhibition
celebrating the Fisk Jubilee Singers, will open at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage on Friday,
September 18, 2026, and run through Sunday, February 28, 2027.

Organized by students at Fisk University in 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers set out on tour to raise money to
save their financially struggling school. Their performances of spirituals — songs born out of slavery and
passed down through oral tradition — introduced the world to a uniquely American musical form and secured
the university’s survival. The ensemble went on to perform for U.S. presidents and heads of state and remains
an active choir today.

The exhibition, created by the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in partnership with Fisk
University, guides visitors through the origins, history, and lasting influence of the Fisk Jubilee Singers through
immersive audio-visual displays, archival recordings, and personal stories of the group’s original members.

Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Honorary Co-Chair, Fisk University, Class of 1972 says, “I’m so elated that Louisville
has the wonderful opportunity to host the Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey, the travelling exhibit.
It tells the story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. As a proud alumnus and an honorary co-chair for the Louisville
exhibit, it’s more than a choir. The Jubilee Singers hold the history of resilience, and the amazing story of why
Nashville was named the ‘Music City’. I carry the spirit of my school with me, and now, with every step of this
exhibit, I feel it is a history lesson that comes alive with this interactive exhibit for everyone to experience. I
encourage everyone to come, take the tour, and come back often for other planned events and live
performances during the stay of the exhibit.”

Louisville’s stop carries a distinct local resonance: Simmons College of Kentucky, the Commonwealth’s only
Historically Black College and University in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was founded in 1879 — just eight
years after the Fisk Jubilee Singers’ first tour, and out of the same post-Civil War push for Black higher
education.

“Jubilation! Ambassadors on a Sacred Journey is more than an exhibit — it is a living classroom. As a Fisk
alum, I know the transformative power of seeing our history honored with truth and brilliance.
This experience invites every student, every family, and every community to learn, reflect, and rise. It
strengthens the mind, affirms the spirit, and ensures that our heritage continues to educate generations yet to
come” says Rev. Dr. Daniel Corrie Shull, Honorary Co-Chair Fisk University, Class of 2009.

This exhibit tells the story of their journey, of their spirit, pride in culture and their remarkable creativity and
vocal skill.

“The Fisk Jubilee Singers demonstrated how faith, education, perseverance, and music could change the
course of history,” said Aukram Burton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Center for African American
Heritage. “Their voices preserved an invaluable cultural legacy while opening doors for future generations of
African American artists. We are honored to bring this nationally significant exhibition to Kentucky and share
their remarkable story with audiences throughout the Commonwealth.”

Jubilation! is $15 per person and open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am-4 pm at the Kentucky Center
for African American Heritage’s 17th Street entrance. Additional community programming will be announced
throughout the exhibition’s run.

About the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage:
The Kentucky Center for African American Heritage is a 68,000-square-foot cultural campus dedicated to
preserving, interpreting, and celebrating African American history, heritage, and cultural contributions in
Kentucky and throughout the African Diaspora through exhibitions, education, performances, and community

Media Inquiries: Contact VIPP Communications at jubilationkcaah at vippcommunications dot com.

The VIPP Report: LCCC will raise the roof in a ceremony for a new theater

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PREPARING AREA YOUTH TO BE THE GREATEST IN THE ARTS ARENA WITH A NEW THEATER ALONG THE MUHAMMAD ALI ARTS, CULTURE AND INNOVATION DISTRICT

LCCC

LCCC RAISES ROOF FOR GRAND LYRIC THEATER   

Louisville Central Community Centers, the developer of the Muhammad Ali Boulevard Arts, Culture and Innovation District, is constructing a performing arts facility to support its Kids Art Academy and the continued development of the district at its’ Old Walnut Street Development at 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

On Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10:00 am there will be a roof raising ceremony with key stakeholders in the community, LCCC and advocators to bring Muhammad Ali Blvd back to life will be in attendance to lend their support.  Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, an arts enthusiast, former Councilman David Tandy, Fund for the Arts’ CEO, Christen Boone, and representatives of the Norton Foundation and the Gheens Foundation all have confirmed their participation in the ceremony.  Representatives of the LCCC Kids Art Academy, the Tiny Tykes Theater Troupe and the Youth Repertory Theater Troupe of Louisville will perform to celebrate this achievement.

During the era between 1940-60’s, there was a theatre that was considered the hub where artists showcased their talents, which many went on to become professional entertainers performing alongside entertainment legends like Helen Hune, the jazz and blues singer with Count Basie’s band.  So, in 2019 we will revitalize the name The Grand Theater and Lyric Theater on historic Old Walnut Street in Louisville, KY in hopes of bringing life back into the arts and the community with a rich history in arts and entertainment.

The 300-seat Grand Lyric Theater will be home to LCCC’s Kids Art Academy (KAA), a youth arts education program with a focus on all facets of performing arts for over three decades.  KAA currently serves hundreds of school-age youth annually and has produced theater troupe sell-out productions of “Broadway-quality” musicals as “Beauty and The Beast”, “Black Nativity”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Once On This Island” and the nationally acclaimed show, “The Wiz.”. This state-of-the art facility will also serve as another venue for community groups to use for training, rehearsals and performances.

National experts from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Washington, DC endorsed LCCC’s economic revitalization vision by recommending to our community that Muhammad Ali Blvd. between 6th to 21st Streets be transformed into a cultural arts commercial district to help create a vibrant corridor that supports economic development and job creation west of Ninth Street.  This plan aligns itself with what used to be the historic Walnut Street (now known as Muhammad Ali Blvd.) between 6th to 15th Streets, an area once the commercial heart of the black community that contained thriving businesses, professional offices, restaurants and entertainment venues prior to the razing of the commercial district by an urban renewal plan in the 1960s. This plan has been included with support of Louisville Metro and Louisville Metro Housing Authority as an important part of the transformation of Russell.

Partial funding has been provided by U. S. Housing & Urban Development through its community development block grant to the city of Louisville and a number of private sources.  To complete the theater, additional sponsorship and naming opportunities are available to support:

  • lighting, sound and recording systems – $265,000
  • main stage, staging area and loading dock area – $140,000
  • rehearsal, restrooms and dressing rooms – $270,000
  • lobby, vestibule and restrooms – $250,000
  • seating, coat check and storage – $280,000

To setup an interview to discuss the Grand Lyric Theater and/or to setup a tour after the roof raising contact VIPP Communications at booking@vippcommunications.com.  We will see you on Friday, February 15th for the ceremony.  Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance so you can be in position to get everything you need for your stories.

 Louisville Central Community Centers Inc. is celebrating its 70th year of service to residents of the Russell neighborhood and west Louisville community.  As an anchor institution, LCCC provides an array of services including early childhood education, youth development, workforce development training, small business and neighborhood development activities.

The VIPP Report: Preparing area youth to be the greatest in the arts arena

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LCCC

A NEW THEATER ALONG THE MUHAMMAD ALI ARTS, CULTURE & INNOVATION DISTRICT
LCCC RAISES ROOF FOR GRAND LYRIC THEATER            

Louisville Central Community Centers, the developer of the Muhammad Ali Arts, Culture and Innovation District, is constructing a performing arts facility to support its Kids Art Academy and the continued development of the district at its’ Old Walnut Street Development at 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.

On Friday, February 15, 2019 at 10:00 am there will be a roof raising ceremony with key stakeholders in the community, LCCC and advocators to bring Muhammad Ali Blvd back to life will be in attendance to lend their support.  Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith, an arts enthusiast, former Councilman David Tandy, Fund for the Arts’ CEO, Christen Boone, and representatives of the Norton Foundation and the Gheens Foundation all have confirmed their participation in the ceremony.  Representatives of the LCCC Kids Art Academy, the Tiny Tykes Theater Troupe and the Youth Repertory Theater Troupe of Louisville will perform to celebrate this achievement.

During the era between 1940-60’s, there was a theatre that was considered the hub where artists showcased their talents, which many went on to become professional entertainers performing alongside entertainment legends.  So, in 2019 we will revitalize the name The Grand Theater and Lyric Theater on historic Old Walnut Street in Louisville, KY in hopes of bringing life back into the arts and the community with a rich history in arts and entertainment.

The Grand Lyric Theater will consist of 300 seats and will be home to LCCC’s Kids Art Academy, a youth arts education program with a focus on all facets of performing arts.  It currently serves hundreds of school-age youth annually and has produced theater troupe sell-out productions of “Broadway-quality” musicals as “Beauty and The Beast”, “Black Nativity”, “A Christmas Carol”, “Once On This Island” and the nationally acclaimed show, “The Wiz.”. This state-of-the art facility will also service as another venue that community groups will use the facility for training, rehearsals and performances.

National experts from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) of Washington, DC endorsed LCCC’s economic revitalization vision by recommending to our community that Muhammad Ali Blvd. between 6th to 21st Streets be transformed into a cultural arts commercial district to help create a vibrant corridor that supports economic development and job creation west of Ninth Street.  This plan aligns itself with what use to be the historic Walnut Street (now known as Muhammad Ali Blvd.) between 6th to 15th Streets, which was once the commercial heart of the black community that contained thriving businesses, professional offices, restaurants and entertainment venues prior to the razing of the commercial district by an urban renewal plan in the 1960s. This plan has been included with support of Louisville Metro and Louisville Metro Housing Authority as an important part of the transformation of Russell.

Partial funding has been provided by U. S. Housing & Urban Development through its community development block grant to the city of Louisville and a number of private sources.  To complete the theater, additional sponsors are needed to support:

  • lighting, sound and recording systems – $265,000
  • main stage, staging area and loading dock area – $140,000
  • rehearsal, restrooms and dressing rooms – $270,000
  • lobby, vestibule and restrooms – $250,000
  • seating, coat check and storage – $280,000

To setup an interview to discuss the Grand Lyric Theater and/or to setup a tour after the roof raising contact VIPP Communications at booking@vippcommunications.com.  We will see you on Friday, February 15th for the ceremony.  Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance so you can be in position to get everything you need for your stories.

Louisville Central Community Centers Inc. is celebrating its 70th year of service to residents of the Russell neighborhood and west Louisville community.  As an anchor institution, It provides an array of services including early childhood education, youth development, workforce development training, small business and neighborhood development activities.

#CreateGrandThings

The VIPP Report: Oaks Day is the start of a Kentucky “Holiday” and LCCC welcomes the artist with the same name to kickoff the celebration

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JHolidayPromoPic

(Louisville, KY) Louisville Central Community Center, (LCCC) in collaboration with VIPP Communications announces their inaugural Kentucky Derby event.  On Friday, May 4th from 10 am to 2 pm at Old Walnut Street, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, it’s the Oaks Day Derby Brunch. This year’s theme: Songs in the Key of Life, a Stevie Wonder Tribute starring R & B/Soul artist J. Holiday.

The Derby Brunch hosted by Sherlene Shanklin is from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.  Some of Louisville’s top artists will open for Holiday.  Ade’, Sheryl Rouse and Junior J will perform some of Wonder’s greatest hits.  The Youth Repertory Theater Troupe will showcase their talents after LCCC’s leadership and performing arts department prepared a curriculum giving the youth a history and music lesson on the humble beginnings of Stevie Wonder.  The youth studied the multi-Grammy Award winning artist and his long span career in the entertainment industry.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.  You can purchase them at louisvilletickets.com.  Doors open at 10 a.m. and guests are asked to wear their Oaks Day attire including your fascinator and/or hat to the brunch.  There’s will be vendors with your last-minute items needed for Derby.  If you would like to reserve a booth contact Erica Bledsaw, Oaks Day Coordinator at Erica.bledsaw@lcccnews.org or by calling LCCC at (502) 583-8821 ext. 130.  Proceeds benefit LCCC youth programs.

The Louisville Central Community Centers is a 501c(3), private, non-profit community-based organizations.  We offer a variety of programs and services in support of children and families.  Early childhood, education, youth development, arts education and other after school programs, employment services and job training for adults, money management, and homeownership are just some of the services provided

We would like to thank the following who made our inaugural event successful: JIGGA MCC Ent., Erica Denise, VIPP Communications, Passport Health Plan, Manhattan on Broadway and WoodForest National Bank.

If you would like to be a sponsor, request media credentials and/or request interviews, please contact us at please contact VIPP Communications at  info at vippcommunications dot com.

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VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele ranges from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.

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