This is the FCB Podcast Network.

In 1866, at the height of Reconstruction, Fisk University was born.

Fisk was established in Nashville, Tennessee, as an elite school for Black Americans

and has gone on to solidify itself as one of the top

educational institutions in the country. But it almost wasn't to be. Fisk had been struggling

with finances upon its opening, and by 1871, they were almost out of money. Enter George L. White,

the school's music teacher and treasurer. White organized a choir tour of

his program's top singers and the group traveled the country to rave reviews. Up until that point,

most Americans had only really seen black performers in minstrel shows. That first Fisk Jubilee

Singer's tour is credited with introducing America to the beauty

of Negro spirituals and black faith tradition. The Fisk Jubilee singers weren't simply singing

students. Many of them were former slaves. Their introduction to the nation at large helped to serve

as a window into the humanity and dignity of the victims of one of the worst human rights abuses in our nation's history.

They performed with grace and class and audiences responded enthusiastically.

The tour was so successful, Fisk was able to purchase the land it was built on,

and it remains one of the most successful HBCUs in history. The choir recently celebrated 150 years

of melody and has won numerous state and national awards over the years. We can still listen to recordings from the group all the way back to their earliest days.

Role, God and rule.

Role, joy and grow.

I want to go to heaven when I die

to God to heaven when I die to his joy

and rule This black history and growth

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