I have experienced quite a lot within the last year. I am amazed at all the interesting people that I have met and the stories they have to tell. Imagine being in a room talking to people and no one is listening. Now imagine the people in that room are screaming at the top of their lungs, but I start to whisper and people turn to hear where it is coming from. The whisper gets louder and ends up being the voices of unheard people that have never been able to experience the things around them. Now they can hear, and see, and understand. Now imagine yourself as one of those people.
The story you are about to read is about what has occurred over the last year and the people who’ve play a part in it. This could not have been possible without Metro Arts believing in our idea for the Nashville Voices of Resilience Homeless Choir, an idea that would change our lives forever.
In December we were asked by Trinity Community Commons and Open Table Nashville to sing at the Annual Homeless Memorial. We were also asked to sing, “Our Lives Are As An Unwritten Song” at the national memorial. The performance was recorded and put on Facebook by Daybreak Arts. In March we preformed at DRKMTTR with a gentleman named Sunny who has sang in over 60 countries. His music is amazing and his organization is called Afrokokoroot.
Nashville Voices of Resilience Homeless Choir was asked to sing at the Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) press conference ahead of the Mayor’s State of Nashville Address. Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the city government announced they would allocate $22 million dollars to the Barnes Fund in this year’s budget.
We also performed at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints of Green Hills. They helped with greeting and seating arrangements. They served a meal and all the food that was left over was given to the surrounding neighbors with a religious message. They are doing God’s will and we could all take a lesson from their show of the love.
Now we have done over 15 concerts, the last one taking place at Edgehill United Methodist Church. On June 13, we hosted a fundraiser at Edgehill United Methodist Church. Lindsey Longoria from The Contributor curated an art sale and 50 percent of all art sales went to The Contributor. We were also joined by Amy Barnes, with her band that sang Kirtan music beautifully and the audience participated. The show ran over which did not allow for our singer Sunny of Afrokokoroot to sing. We do apologize for this, and he will be performing on Sept. 26, 2026. The Barbecue Chef Terry cooked from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. and received many compliments on his cooking. Edwin Lockridge was also a blessing in helping to keep things running smoothly.
Eric Mayle, Pastor of Edgehill United Methodist Church did the opening prayer, and ran the live feed to Facebook and YouTube. Pastor Riley Baxter 111 of The Church of the Living God who announced his churches feeding and activities. I am grateful for the life lessons he offered those at the Help Center. Derrick McCloud of Saint Peter’s AME Church spoke the prayer leading into lunch, which he served to the long assembly line of missionaries and women. We also had representatives of the Muslim faith in attendance who said it was a wonderful thing to see so many faiths and religions under one roof. Music is a constant reminder that we can all agree that love is a binding thread, or as it says in the Bible, “Blessed Be the Tie that Binds.” Welcome Home.
None of this would be possible without the support of Metro Arts to whom we are eternally grateful. They have given the homeless new faith and opportunities.
If you want to join our choir we practice at Claiborne Family Church on Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m. Some of the members of the choir come from this church. Thank you Austin Pollack for airing our story on News Channel 5. We will always remember your kindness and patience as that is a rare commodity in our world today. If you wish to follow us we are on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram: Nashville Homeless Choir. For our art please go to, morningcoffeeartist.myshopify.com