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African American Voices Spreads Ministry Through Music

By Ahleeya Nelson and Kimberly Hicks
Contributing Writers

African American Voices (AAV) is a diverse group of students at Ohio State, coming from all across the country and representing various religious backgrounds.

AAV strives to foster an environment where any student - black, white, Hispanic or Asian - can celebrate African-American music through gospel music. Currently, the entire choir is African-American.

"The choir welcomed me from the start and made me feel very comfortable," freshman Genevieve Easley said.

"Being in the choir has actually helped me balance my time and therefore has improved my grades," said Naghi Hollins, a sophomore and director of the choir. Participants in the choir must have a 2.0 grade point average or above.

Freshman Calvin Elkins joined AAV "so I could do something on campus that would lift up God's name. I couldn't leave God behind."

Since becoming an Ohio State organization in 1990, the 70-plus member choir has performed all across Ohio, in cities like Dayton, Cincinnati, and Athens. In Columbus, they have participated in the annual African-American Heritage Arts Festival and at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Most recently, they sang at the Yolanda King play in January, and the Tony Brown oration last month, both at the Ohio Union. Additionally, they will sing in Portsmouth, VA as a part of their annual tour later this year.

Membership is open throughout the school year and rehearsals are held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Hughes Hall, Room 100.

Ahleeya Nelson, a sophomore, is an agricultural communications major.
Kimberly Hicks, a sophomore, is a journalism major.