Renowned International Artist and City of Charleston Ambassador for the Arts Announces World Premiere Event: Jonathan Green's "Requiem for Rice"

Charleston, SC – Celebrated international artist and City of Charleston Ambassador for the Arts, Jonathan Green is pleased to announce Jonathan Green’s “Requiem for Rice”, presented in collaboration with the International African American Museum.

Jonathan Green’s “Requiem for Rice” is a musical tribute to honor and recognize posthumously the scores of enslaved Africans upon whom the infrastructure of the United States was built and who were buried throughout the Lowcountry and across the United States without being recognized as citizens.

This inspired socio-anthropological memorial event will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at the historic Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church, 110 Calhoun St. Charleston, S.C.

Mrs. Brenda Lauderback, Board Chairman, Denny's, Inc.; Dr. Clifton Davis, Actor; Dr. Martha Kanter, Former United States Department of Education Undersecretary for Higher Education, Attorney Leroy Richie, Retired General Counsel, Chrysler Corporation; and, Mrs. Sandy Tecklenburg, 1st Lady of Charleston are Honorary Chairpersons for this event along with Mrs. Carol Alexander serving as Mistress of Ceremonies and Dr. Carlton Byrd, Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church and International Director of the Breath of Life television program serving as Eulogist. The proceedings will be directed under the auspices of representatives of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

Among the distinguished honorees are: Ms. Xernona Clayton, founder of the Trumpet Awards/President, Xernona Clayton Foundation; Judge Paul Brady, first African American Administrative Law Judge; Mrs. Zelma Redding, founder, Otis Redding Foundation; Ms. Cathy Hughes, founder, TV One; Ms. Julianna Richardson, founder, Historymakers; Dr. Howard Dodson, Executive Director Emeritus, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; Mr. Jay Barnett, Author and Youth Motivator.  The “Lifetime Legacy Award” will be bestowed upon Former Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley. Honors will be bestowed posthumously to The Charleston Nine (victims murdered at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church on June 17, 2015). Other program participants and performers include: Nikky Finney, Litany for Requiem for Rice; Dr. Lloyd Mallory and The Lloyd Mallory Singers; South Carolina State Orchestra. Earthbeat Films led by award winning, international film producer, Charlie Smith, will be creating a documentary based on the event.

As a prelude to the main Requiem for Rice event, the Grace Church Cathedral will present theLloyd Mallory singers as part of its concert series on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Grace Church Cathedral is located at 98 Wentworth St., Charleston SC 29401, (843) 723-4575. Tickets for this event will be announced on www.gracechurchcharleston.org.