Freedom: A Gospel Celebration of Juneteenth

Bexar County and the Tobin Center culminate Juneteenth 2023 with a celebration of gospel music. The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) is proud to facilitate this event celebrating the emancipation of the enslaved here in Texas. SAAACAM is collaborating with the Gospel Haus and Museum to present the stories steeped in freedom and joy from San Antonio and Houston gospel music legends. 

The show opens with the San Antonio Gospel Heritage Choir. Their song selection is curated by J. C. Edwards, Gary Givens, Earl Jackson, Michael Potts and Dominique Jones. The Gospel Heritage Choir will perform songs by Jessy Dixon, Donnie Harper, the Walker Ford Singers and more! Featured soloist, Icy Monroe will sing “Order My Steps” in honor of Mimi Redd. Discover the contribution of San Antonio to the world of gospel music!

The renowned V. Michael McKay, Founder and Creative Director of the Gospel Music Haus and Museum brings the gospel music story to San Antonio with the Houston Legends Choir. Mr. McKay is the recipient of Dove Awards, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the author of many gospel hosts including The Battle Is The Lord’s and The Good Shepherd (both recorded by Yolanda Adams) , The Potter’s House (Tramaine Hawkins), Intercession (Kim McFarland), All In His Hand (Florida Mass Choir and Dr. Charles G Hayes’ Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir), Broken But I’m Healed (Byron Cage), The Corinthian Song
(Kathy Taylor and Micah Stampley), I’m Still Here (Albertina Walker), Oh Jesus (Dorothy Norwood) and Noise (Brian Courtney Wilson). 

The celebration concludes with Stellar Award winner Brian Courtney Wilson. The Motown Gospel artist brings the full measure of his singing and songwriting talents to every project and performance. His signature and impassioned vocals are an homage to the myriad of his musical influences, which include Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin L. Winans, and Fred Hammond, to name a few. Wilson’s music reflects on today’s culture of faith, community & social injustice and our relationship with God. Through a lens of hope, Wilson spreads the gospel message as a solo artist and with collaborations including Marvin Winans, Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and award-winning singers, Ledisi and Hilary Scott. 

GUEST CHEF COLLABORATION

Chef Mona Wilson was selected to co-create with the Tobin Center’s Executive Chef, Armando Lopez, Monday June 19 for the Juneteenth finale program, Freedom: A Gospel Celebration of Juneteenth. And Chef Mona has graciously extended her opportunity to include her mentee, Junior Chef sensation, Chef VickyV.