Shall We Gather? Allyship, Music & The Power of Collective Voice

About Shall We Gather? Allyship, Music & The Power of Collective Voice

Come hang out for a night of music, allyship, and the magic that happens when voices come together.

Recreating the spirit and structure of the mass meetings that powered the Civil Rights Movement, March On! and Metropolitan AME Church, convene an evening of reflection, testimony, and collective action — centered on immigration, the responsibilities of allyship, and the ongoing struggle for freedom.

Grounded in the question of how we show up for immigrant communities with respect, humility, and courage, this gathering invites participants to move beyond intention toward meaningful, sustained action. The program begins with voices from the pulpit and the movement, then turns to a featured conversation — moderated by Robert Raben — with Rev. William H. Lamar IV, Bishop Mariann Budde and Rahiel Tesfamariamon on what meaningful allyship requires in this moment.

Music is woven throughout as a shared, participatory experience, featuring Mumu Fresh and Civil Rights icon Rutha Mae Harris, alongside an audience sing inspired by the Freedom Songs that once unified and galvanized a movement.

ASL interpretation will be available.



PARTNER

Metropolitan AME Church: Located in Washington, DC, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church is the national church of African Methodism. For generations it has served as both a sacred space for spiritual growth and a driving force in the civic, cultural, and intellectual life of African Americans and the broader community. Rev. William H. Lamar IV serves as pastor of this historic congregation.