NW-SCC concert celebrates Black History Month

High spirited jazz notes made their way through the student center and out into the parking lot of Northwest-Shoals Community College, Phil Campbell campus, Feb. 22 as the jazz band opened the I Have a Dream Concert.

It was a concert filled with soulful music and a speech from Kenneth A. Brackins, a psychology professor and a member of the NW-SCC Cultural Affairs Committee who put the concert together.

Elizabeth Harris took the mic first and sang an acapella version of the song “You Know” before singing “Total Praise” with a background of soft music.

Music instructor George Crummie introduced the jazz band and shared a brief history of how jazz music was born. “It’s the first original American music that we have, and it’s in everything,” Crummie said.

The jazz band then played “Autumn Leaves,” which Crummie said is a classic with many renditions.

Jeff McAlister led the Chorale as they sang “Follow the Drinking Gourd” and “Wade in the Water.” He spoke of the meaning behind the spirituals and why he enjoys learning about them.

“They tell an incredible historical story of their lives and how they escaped slavery,” McAlister said.

Brackins shared his story of attending NW-SCC in 1976 and how different the times were back then. He said his grandmother had been concerned for him, but everything turned out well in the end.

“My years here were wonderful. I came in contact with some of the best people I’ve ever known,” Brackins said.

When it comes to Black History Month, Brackins spoke of situational attribution and legitimacy, encouraging his audience to things about how they see people and how they treat people.

“I set standards for myself. I try to deal with others the way I want to be dealt with,” Brackins said. He said it is important everyone works together to maintain American freedoms and to achieve a unified society.