‘GOSPEL’: Watch, listen, experience

In Feb., Henry Louis Gates Jr. returned with another four-part documentary, this time digging deep into the origin story of Black gospel music, coming out of slavery, blending with the blues tradition, and soaring to new heights during the Great Migration. From Chicago to Detroit and from California to the South, the story of GOSPEL unfolds over four parts, available to stream with the PBS App through the end of March.

In addition, thanks to a community engagement grant from WETA, Illinois Soul has created a pop-up gospel exhibit on the second floor of the Illinois Terminal, 45 E. University Ave. in downtown Champaign. This exhibit draws from the film’s story, highlighting the cultural, historical, and musical impacts of gospel music across the nation, alongside the history, the music, and the people here in central Illinois who make up gospel music's impacts. In particular, the exhibit expands on the first episode of the docuseries, "The Gospel Train." This first hour takes us for a ride on the gospel train north to Chicago, where southern migrants Thomas A. Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe blended the melodic sounds and instrumentation of blues and jazz with lyrics about God’s goodness. Like the blues, gospel would become a commodity, but one built by Black-owned publishing companies like Martin and Morris and sustained by Black audiences. Learn more about their stories and impacts on the genre, along with local musical forces like Willie Summerville.

We believe this space is a powerful choice. Illinois Terminal sees a variety of people each day. This location serves as a hub for people of all backgrounds and interests.

Illinois Soul was also thrilled to host two GOSPEL screening events across the viewing and listening area, one in Champaign-Urbana at the Virginia Theatre on Feb. 16 and another in Springfield at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Feb. 26. Make sure to follow Illinois Public Media and Illinois Soul on Facebook and bookmark this GOSPEL information page.