Black History Month Canal & River Trust Gospel Event

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

Nottingham gospel experience

A wonderful gospel experience took place at the new Island Quarter Nottingham on a bright, cool and sunny Sunday afternoon 16th of October 2022 as part of the weekend Canal & River Trust Black History Month Canalside event. This outdoor event was situated in the new tucked away stylish complex of Binks Yard. Attendees could relax either in the plush restaurant or in the seating outside feasting on Caribbean food by Caribbean Flava with a great view of the canal and new stunning stage set up.

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

The Nottingham gospel experience section which had a fantastic line up of artist covering traditional, contemporary, modern, and original gospel singing performances. Carol Burrell, Community wellbeing coordinator opened the session about the purpose of the weekend and handed over to the first performers Chariots of Joy Gospel choir based at the Pilgrim church Queens Walk, The Meadows. The choir led by choir director Reverend Andrew Miller started out rocking with old-time church favourites such as Sing praises unto God sing praises, Hear My Cry Oh Lord and We’ve Got the Victory Hallelujah. Those watching on didn't hesitate to join in with the foot stomping and hand clapping renditions. Hand waving and hip swaying was the order of the day to the contemporary gospel classic Every praise is to our God written by Hezekiah Walker.

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

Next on stage was the Ivors Academy winner and MOBO nominee Freddie Kofi. A gifted singer songwriter born in Nottingham Freddie is an accomplished choir director and a much sort after artist. He has rich catalogue of original songs emanating from his inspirational gospel, folk and acoustic with heritage from Ghana has a unique and eclectic sound. It's soul roots which speak to social injustice has formed the soundtrack for many occasions in the UK and globally. On the day Freddie performed a superb acoustic version of the classic Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins. His second song which he wrote original called ‘Sing’ was inspired by looking through the retrospective lens of lockdown and racial injustice. The song aims to remind us of the past whilst bringing attention to our fight today: be that a past pandemic, lockdowns, racial injustice, mental health and financial impact on individuals, families and communities.

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

Next up was another home-grown Nottingham gospel artist Gemma-Dawn Shaw. Her singing talent was formed when singing in church at Full Gospel Revival Centre as a child and forming a popular girls gospel singing group with her friends. At the Canalside Gemma brought the audience into full worship mode with her joyful rendition of I Know Who I Am by Sinach and then a powerful and moving rendition of the classic Believe For It by Cece Winans

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

The day was truly representative of an eclectic mix of artists, and we were privileged to have some great young talent on show. This was exemplified by Emanuella Akwasi from The Dominion House Church Nottingham. Emaunella a talented keyboard player and singer was accompanied on cello and violin by Aminata Kanneh-Mason and Mariatu Kanneh-Mason the internationally renowned musical family from Nottingham – their brother Sheku Kanneh -Mason played cello at Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan. Emanuella sang a moving version of the song Neverland. Emanuella received much encouragement from the audience after navigating some technical issues and showed great strength of character and courage to persevere to sing a second song called Oceans by Hillsong. It was great to see young talent on show supported by family, friends and newcomers

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

Next enter on stage another bright young talent from Nottingham Rachel Divina Miller from the Pilgrim Church who brings her own brand of originality and style to gospel. Rachel quickly took control and called the audience to order quoted some scriptures and taught the audience how to participate in her song Father of lights – in which everyone obeyed! Her up tempo second song Focus on Me was also very well received by the audience.

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

Another young star of the day was Esther-Leah Davis from the New Testament Church of God Carlton Road Nottingham and Esther did a beautiful rendition of I am a Child of God, the calm and persuasive manner in which she delivered the song was received warmly by all.

Photo: Trevor Edinborough

Our finale artist was none other than local singing star Lisa Hendricks who performed a fantastic original song written by gospel singer songwriter Trevor Edinborough from the No Walls Project. The soulful song entitled Justice Love and Harmony written in the wake of racial injustice after George Floyds death was greatly received by the audience - the song also has extracts from the Dr Martin Luther King, I have a dream speech.

Photo: Ali Johnston www.alijphotography.com & Canal River Trust

The gospel session concluded with a preached message from Bishop Lincoln Davis of New Testament Church of God reminding of the great history black people have made in contributing positively to the world and the local heroes and heroines in our midst that have paved the way for us to be here today. It was a great experience in a great venue to celebrate Black History Month.

Huge thank you to Ben Hicklin Head of Events for opening up the space to local communities’ thanks also to Carol Burrell, Eba Sallah from Confetti and Jeremy Prince.