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.

Mr. James Cole, Attorney at Law/ Former Senior Vice President General Counsel & Secretary at AutoNation, Inc.; Dr. Clifton Davis, Actor; Dr. Martha Kanter, Former United States Department of Education Undersecretary for Higher Education; Mrs. Brenda Lauderback, Board Chairman, Denny’s, Inc.; Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice, President and Dean, Morehouse School of Medicine; 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.

Presenting sponsors are Denny’s, Inc. and Belmond Charleston Place Hotel. Corporate and individual sponsorships are available. Donations of fifty dollars per person for the Sunday event are suggested. Proceeds from the event will be evenly distributed between Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church and the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project. Seating is limited! Contact Dr. Kim Long at ktravl411@aol.com to reserve seating.