Q1: The Voices of Unity youth choir was named gold medalists and world champions at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand. Tell us about that experience and what it meant to you and your team.
The experience at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand, was truly extraordinary, almost beyond words. It was an opportunity of immense magnitude, one that I believe many in Fort Wayne may not fully grasp simply because there’s nothing in our country to compare it to. Being exposed to an international event with 42 nations, 250 choirs, and more than 11,000 singers competing in 49 categories in various traditional and nontraditional choral music genres is absolutely breathtaking. To represent our city, state and country on such a prestigious global stage is something that leaves me, our students and our team deeply humbled and incredibly grateful.
What made this journey even more remarkable was watching these young and inexperienced singers, who at first may not have seemed prepared for such a monumental challenge, rise to the occasion. They took on a project far bigger than themselves and devoted six months of intense preparation without a single complaint. Their commitment and resilience sent a powerful message to society — that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are capable of remarkable achievements. The experience itself was a reward that goes beyond the champion title and the gold medal; it was life-changing for all of us.
Q2: How do you best prepare and train for a competition of that size and stature?
I’ve been training choirs for over 40 years and my approach is a nontraditional method that has produced impactful choirs over the years. My methodology starts with developing the right mindset and understanding what soulful singing truly is. Singing is not just an artistic activity — it’s the art of transmitting a message from heart to heart, communicating lyrics with meaning and music with emotion.
This requires countless hours of attitude preparation, life lessons and lectures to help students understand the impact their singing needs to achieve. From there, we dive into the technical training, which includes intensive work on singing posture, pitch production, ear training, harmony and mastering coordination; such as clapping, swaying and singing at the same time.
I also integrate my unique choral directing techniques to establish the communication between the choir and myself. They learn to watch me closely, understanding my signals and messages so that we are completely in sync during performances. Additionally, we emphasize vocal training, stage presence and discipline — everything necessary to transform them into professional performers ready for competition at the highest level.
Q3: Next year UNITY will celebrate its 25th anniversary — congratulations! What do you attribute this program’s success to and how do you keep the positive momentum going?
Thank you! UNITY’s 25th anniversary is a major milestone and a testament to the vision and dedication that have driven our success. Our journey began in 1993 with four years spent drafting the vision, followed by three years of strategic planning before launching. That seven-year investment laid the foundation for where we are today.
Reaching 25 years is especially meaningful, given the challenges of starting from scratch in Fort Wayne. For an African-American man to build and grow an organization from nothing into something thriving and impactful is remarkable. The planning, focus and heart that went into UNITY made it clear from the start that success was inevitable.
Our momentum continues because we constantly communicate our vision to inspire new generations of members. Many UNITY alumni have gone on to successful careers, and our hope is that they will remember their pledge, reach back and give back. This continued commitment will ensure that UNITY expands and thrives for years to come. Looking ahead, we’re excited about our vision to build a downtown arts and youth development center, and replicate the UNITY model nationwide. This vision ensures that UNITY’s legacy will impact future generations long after I’m gone, leaving a lasting mark on our community and beyond.
Q4: Can you tell us a bit about your life outside of work? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My life outside of UNITY is wonderful. I truly enjoy spending time with my wife, Cindy, whether we’re traveling or simply enjoying the beauty of the world together. One of my greatest joys is being with my grandchildren — there’s nothing quite like their presence; they bring so much happiness to our lives. I’m also a big movie lover and enjoy going to the theater or relaxing in our own home theater, watching movies and enjoying Cindy’s incredible popcorn.
Beyond that, I love connecting with my professional friends outside of the city who are doing incredible things in their fields. Spending time with great leaders and visionaries inspires me to continue striving for excellence in my own work and community. It’s a privilege to be in the company of people who respect and value what you bring to the table, and I find great fulfillment in those relationships.
Q5: How does one get involved with UNITY? What are the range of programs offered?
UNITY has a unique model that offers a range of options for young people. First, it’s multifaceted, meaning we offer various artistic and youth development opportunities. Second, our artistic programming is non-traditional, meaning it’s not based on the conventional arts you typically see in traditional arts programming. Third, we focus heavily on youth development through what we call substance-based programming. Our aim is to empower young people so they grow into successful adults that becomes leaders and professionals.
Our programming includes choral music, creative writing, dance, public speaking, instrumental music-piano training and leadership development. We have something for every child and every family interested in fostering their child’s development. Anyone looking to get involved will hopefully find a program that fits their interests and aspirations, all while benefiting from an environment that cultivates diversity, personal and artistic growth. You can contact us at upaf.com or call (260) 481-6719.
Q6: As the new year approaches, what do you hope UNITY is able to accomplish in 2025?
As we approach 2025, we are entering the second season of our Rising with Purpose rebuilding initiative, which was designed to revitalize and breathe new life into UNITY after the challenges of COVID. In 2025, we plan to launch a public capital campaign, inviting the community, businesses and individuals to invest financial resources into UNITY’s future. We hope to see more families join the UNITY community, which has become a strong, diverse and versatile environment, open to all children and their families.
Additionally, we aim to attract more investors who see the value in UNITY’s mission to develop students into leaders and professionals. By empowering young people, we can ensure they become not only good citizens but also great parents, employees and strong leaders who will shape our cities and communities. Lastly, I hope to see more institutions, such as schools, churches and youth organizations, partner with UNITY. We want to provide more youth with the opportunity to experience the vital and transformative programs UNITY offers. Every child deserves the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves, and UNITY is here to provide that opportunity.
Q7: Are you a football or basketball fan? Who are you cheering for this season and why?
I’m a big football fan! During my time with UNITY, the Voices of Unity choir has had the honor of performing at several Indianapolis Colts games (about four or five times) which has made them my favorite football team. Although we haven’t performed there since 2016, I look forward to returning in the future. The Colts are definitely my number one team, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
