On Saturday, June 4, 2022, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was in attendance on Co-op City’s Greenway for the First Annual Bronx Gospel Concert which was organized and presented by her office. The event was co-hosted by journalist Cheryl Wills of Spectrum News and Elder Nitisha Moore. Wills, celebrating her 28th wedding anniversary, shared that she “had to” come to the Bronx to celebrate her gospel roots.
It was a sunny, balmy day as residents gathered to hear the uplifting strains of gospel music that soothed minds and spirts which have been bombarded by a spate of troubling news. While some residents walked around, danced, clapped and sang with gusto, others relaxed beneath attractive tents on lawn chairs, shielded by the sun’s rays, while savoring tasting dishes that were on sale.
Borough President Gibson interacted with the crowd, taking pictures and engaging in conversation during breaks in the performances. Some residents were overcome with excitement as they shook tambourines and expressed their pleasure with the show.
The performers who entertained the crowd included Denise Velez, Trina Mitchell, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Brie McDaniel, Rev. Jeffrey Crenshaw, Tony Smith, and Leticia Crawford. City Council Member Kevin Riley was also in attendance.
The concert was scheduled to run from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm but it was in full swing after 4:30 pm, wrapping up shortly after. No one was in any rush to leave and as the residents reluctantly folded up their lawn chairs and trekked home, echoes of singing and worshipping could be heard amid joyful chatter about the highlights of the show.
