Little compares to the powerful spiritual force of joining voices to harmonize in songs of freedom. It's a transformative occasion when done with the fullness of our being that creates a sense of communal solidarity. We become part of something larger than ourselves. It plants the seeds of hope and compassion in the face of face of oppression and injustice. Benjamin Mertz is a bi-racial man who is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (BECI). He serves on the board of directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and is the founder and director of the Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers. He’s a composer, performer, and song leader who specializes in the music of the Black Spiritual tradition and is a human rights and racial justice activist. When not performing music he writes and speaks on issues of racial justice, economic justice and Black History, and he works on creating interfaith and interracial alliances. He can often be found leading songs at benefit concerts, vigils, protest actions, sacred services, and workshops. His albums include: Climbing Up the Mountain (Benjamin Mertz 2019) and I Dream: Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers (Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers 2020)

Interview Date: 5/13/2024.   Tags: Benjamin Mertz, Michael Cochran, Sir Roland Hanna, The Drinking Gourd, Ysaye Barnwell, AME Church in Charleston, Ilana Simmons, Dr. Cornel West, Confederate monuments, Michele Norris, Africa, Kumbaya, Music, Social Change/Politics