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Discover more about the African and African Diaspora/Black heritage and its influences in Classical, Opera, Country/Folk, and 'Rock & Roll' music genres. From the spirituals to jazz, to soul/'rhythm & blues' to gospel, to rap/hip hop and international sounds (reggae, samba, calypso, rumba, Afrobeat) the African and African Diaspora influences are ever present. Use the Contact page to add to this list. Collectively and continuously, let us advocate for the visual, written, craft-artisan and performing arts!
Listen to the WSNC Radio, 90.5 FM broadcast audio link above, from the WSSU campus; special thanks to Jim Steele, Phil Allen, and Brian Anthony among the multitude of past affiliated others (Jo Daniels II and Darlene Vinson). Internationally, the Spirituals/Gospel, Jazz and Funk genres are Rooted in African-American Music Traditions:
Portia White https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=dyDDdzMnoZo
Go-Go is native to the Greater Washington, DC Metropolitan Area; it is rooted in West African, Reggae and African-Latinx music traditions. Master percussionist, TJ Wynn, has uploaded pertinent instructional videos. In Central America and South America, the African diaspora is prevalent (e.g., sounds of Aruba include 'tumba' and 'road march' which are styles often incorporating percussion instruments like wiri and drums). The Garifuna sounds are also significant. Vocal and Instrumental Meditation
2014-Archived the printed media related to the legacy of Maestra Womack: Washington Post, June 04th; Winston-Salem Chronicle, June 05th; Winston-Salem Journal, June 05th; Winston-Salem Chronicle, October 02nd; Winston-Salem Journal, October 26th; Winston-Salem Journal, October 29th; and Kernersville News, November 11th. 2015-First professional musician endorsement (Armenta Adams Hummings-Dumisani, Retired) Master Steinway Pianist, Master Violinist, and Founder of Gateways Music Festival; WSSU Gift Legacy E-newsletter, Winter Edition; Wake Forest University Magazine, Spring Edition; Book tribute published by Keep Music Alive and endorsed by the Music Teachers National Association, "88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life" (pg. 186) http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Music-Change-Your-Life/dp/0692456872/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8; Advertisement tribute published in the Official Program of the National Black Theatre Festival (pg. 67) 2016-First national online press release: http://www.blacknews.com/news/endowed-scholarship-fund-to-honor-music-teacher-belinda-staten-womack/#.Vy9VJq32apo 2017-First official WSSU Alumni endorsements: North Carolina native, Mr. Vonii Bristow (Actor) Community Organizer, the late Mr. Karim A. Sharif (Author) -Semi-annual community concerts moved from Rupert Bell Community Center to the Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center, featuring a collective of independent performing artists covering genres of music from classical to jazz to gospel and R&B as well as others 2018-Semi-annual community concerts were hosted on the campus of WSSU for the first time; an Impact Statement was received by the inaugural BSW Music Fund scholarship recipient (Nia Lewis, WSSU Class of 2019) 2019-Ms. Lewis' Senior Recital was a tremendous success under the aegis of Maestra D'walla Simmons-Burke. 2020-Semi-annual community concerts were hosted at Piedmont Music Center. 2021-Communication established with The Blackspace an award-winning and nationally recognized empowerment organization under the direction of Maestro Pierce Freelon in addition to establishing partnership with: Other Suns community business center and coffee shop for establishing the monthly open-mic night on first Fridays, as well as the Unity Wellness Center in support of its inaugural festival at Rupert Bell Park, in addition to staff at The Arts Council in support of its initiatives to support local visual, written, and performing artists. A future major gift commitment was established by Mr. Dennis Calvin of the revered Music Performance Group. Attending a live studio performance and recording of The Amber Ruffin Show was a magnificent display of improvisation that incorporates musical composition and choreography, comedy, and journalistic analysis of current events. 2022-Attending a concert performance by internationally renowned violinist, violist, and conductor Amadi Azikiwe was a tremendous display of musical virtuosity. Attending the Capital Jazz Festival was a marvelous way to enjoy the summer (time marker " 2:33 " in the promotional video for the 2023 30th anniversary festival). Joining the performing rights organization, ASCAP-American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers and registering the USA Copyright, regarding a forthcoming independent music project has been an awesome learning experience along with performance collaboration from Mr. Leath. 2023-Composing, recording, and publishing The H("i")pnotic and Chris Beatz Leath Experience brought endless joy. It is on major streaming platforms domestically and internationally. Too, it is available as a Limited Edition vinyl record version with liner notes, lyrics, and chord scores. Establishing communication with researcher and author, Dr. Mary Beth Gasman, was genuinely productive. Exchanging communication with phenomenal music entities, such as an award-winning academic music department in Canada and as well, a USA history-making #1 Billboard recording artist, was incredible. 2024-Promoting advocacy of public radio and independently operated media broadcasts was a tremendous experience while visiting the CKCU Carleton University Radio studio during its 50th anniversary programming. Too, the visit at WSNC Radio studio was endearing (audio file is above). 2025-Multiple downloads of Game Time (She Flows) occurred during the National Indoors USATF-Masters Championship in Gainesville, Florida. A follow up international visit to the BBC Affiliate CKCU 93.1 FM was especially meaningful.
Preserving the Legacy
In honor of Maestra Womack's musical legacy, memorial gift contributions were made in 2014 and 2015 with beneficiary funds, to institutions where she had an affiliation:
East Forsyth High School-in support of the choral music program; WSSU Music Department-in support of Music Education majors; National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (Eastern Region, Beta Chapter, and Beta Lambda Chapters)-each received a one-time stipend for Music Educators; UNC School of the Arts Foundation-in support of the Music Department; Union Baptist Church Music Ministry-in support of the Hand Bells Choir initiative; First Baptist Church Downtown Winston-Salem Music Ministry-for new Hand Chimes and to sponsor a string quartet performance during a special program (World Communion Sunday).
Gift contributions in her memory have been made to entities that represent some of her personal interests: Sacred Music Radio/Soothing Sounds, LLP to support general operating expenses; Living Arts College Discretionary Fund to support students; Washington Hospital Center Foundation/TAPP Program-to honor her dedication to empower youth by encouraging them to stay in school despite adverse circumstances.
Relatives, friends, clergy, and countless others displayed magnanimous support during Mother's terminal state and shared many acts of kindness upon her passing in 2014: attendance and participation at funeral, burial, memorial and repast services, prayers, well wishes, calls, cards, visits, flowers and gift baskets, sharing of provisions, and general contributions. Each act of kindness was humbly received and appreciated. Especially acknowledged are the organizations listed.
George Washington University Hospital National Multiple Sclerosis Society Capital Caring Hospice Capital Home Care Alegis Care Batesville Casket Company/ Batesville Casket Living Memorial Program Gasch’s Funeral Home Fort Lincoln Cemetery Springdale Community Church, Springdale, MD First Baptist Church-Downtown, Winston-Salem, NC Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC Winston Salem State University Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated (Eastern Region, Beta, and Beta Lambda Chapters) Chi Eta Phi National Sorority, Incorporated (Alpha Chapter) Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Duluth, GA Graduate Chapter) W-S/FC Schools East Forsyth High School District of Columbia Retirement Board Washington Hospital Center TAPP Advisory Board TNT International Racing Team Serenity Blue, LLC
