In 1977, a time of heavy racial tension both on Cornell University’'s  campus and across the United States, Rev. Samuel Perry, former pastor of Ithaca’s A.M.E Zion Church, and Rev. Jack Lewis, former director of Cornell United Religious Works (CURW), established a channel for unity using the universal appeal of Gospel music: The Festival of Black Gospel (FBG). The Festival also became the first program put on by Black Students at Cornell. Ithaca College

students, faculty, and staff have always been part of the Festival since its inception. Ithaca College’s Amani Gospel Singers were a featured guest choir at the Festival’'s 30th anniversary celebration. They officially joined the Cornell committee and became Festival partners in

2010.

 

37 years later, the Festival continues to serve as a vehicle for cohesion, uniting people of varying races and creeds throughout Cornell University, Ithaca College, the Greater Ithaca community and the Central New York region. Designed and implemented by a committee of students, staff advisors, and community members, FBG has brought many gospel greats to its Festival stage. These artists include:

 

Yolanda Adams

Richard Smallwood and VISION

The Clark Sisters

Hezekiah Walker

John P. Kee

Byron Cage

Karen Clark-Sheard

21:03

Da Truth

Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson

Kim Burrell

Shirley Caesar

Kierra Kiki Sheard

Jonathan McReynolds

Anita Wilson

and many more!

 

Various university and church choirs from across the state of New York have also participated in the Festival. Following the mission to promote cultural awareness while commemorating the inspirational and uplifting musical genre known as Gospel, we have continued to promote this legacy in an annual program that fosters and encourages spiritual, cultural, and intellectual awareness throughout the Cornell, Ithaca College, the Greater Ithaca community, Upstate, NY and beyond.