By Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor
Bowie State College’s Performing Arts Middle (PAC) now bears the title of internationally famend singer, Dionne Warwick. In a ceremony this previous week, the PAC theatre was formally renamed the Dionne Warwick Performing Arts Theatre.
Tons of gathered in attendance to have a good time with Warwick and the campus, together with Gospel Singer, BeBe Winans, who graced the viewers with an “impromptu” efficiency of Wonderful Grace, through the transferring tribute in honor of Warwick’s legendary 40-plus yr profession.
The six-time Grammy Award profitable artist takes her collaboration with Bowie State, the primary HBCU in Maryland, critically. Warwick instructed the viewers she rigorously chooses initiatives and partnerships.
“About this theatre bearing my title, you understand I don’t lend my title to every little thing,” Warwick mentioned.
That is one thing I’m extremely comfortable and proud to say “sure” to. I really feel exceptionally privileged to have my title on these doorways on the market,” Warwick continued.
Bowie State College President Aminta Breaux celebrated a partnership that developed over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This was three years within the making. Three years in the past, we had been privileged and honored to welcome Ms. Warwick right here,” Breaux mentioned.
“She embraced the imaginative and prescient. She didn’t waver. She’s devoted to our youth, Wilkins their schooling and the humanities,” Breaux mentioned.
NBC – 4 tv investigative reporter Tracee and nationwide radio discuss present host Joe Madison “the Black Eagle” Madison served as hosts for a tribute to Warwick that includes college students dance, instrumental and choral music from Bowie State College’s nice arts division.
Tewodross Williams, Chair of the Division of Tremendous and Performing Arts Program mirrored on the exceptional progress of the BSU Tremendous Arts program lately and thanked the organizations that supported the Theatre dedication together with Zeta Phi Beta sorority. The sorority of which Warwick is a member, supported Warwick and the occasion in giant numbers.
A number of celebrities, which included Phylicia Rashad, Debbie Allen, Tom Selleck and MJ the Musical’s lead actor, Myles Frost, honored Warwick via video messages that had been proven throughout this system.
Warwick is one in every of a rising variety of Black celebrities, enterprise leaders and political figures who’re turning to HBCU’s to put money into legacy initiatives that can serve future generations of scholars.
“To whom a lot is given, a lot is anticipated. I hope I can dwell as much as the expectation you all have of me,” Warwick mentioned.
“And now all of you might be my household,” Warwick mentioned over the last moments of this system. You may be seeing me.”
