‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’: Baylor student’s powerful performance highlights Juneteenth

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” — hymn #351 in the Baptist Hymnal — was written in 1900 and first performed at a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. A prayer of thanksgiving for faithfulness and freedom, the song quickly earned the nickname “the Black national anthem,” and over the years it became one of the most cherished songs of the Civil Rights Movement.

In celebration of Juneteenth, Baylor’s social media platforms shared this moving rendition of the song performed by Baylor junior Jada Holliday. Words don’t do justice to the power of Holliday’s performance — so just watch/listen for yourself:

In only four days, the video has been viewed more than 35,000 times across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram/IGTV and YouTube. Thank you for sharing this beauty with all of us in the Baylor Family, Jada.

Sic ’em, Bears!