The Freedom Singers

The Freedom Singers emerged in Albany, Georgia, in December 1962, out of the civil rights movement and the work of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. The original quartet, led by Cordell Reagon, included Bernice Johnson, Rutha Mae Harris and Charles Neblett.

Their performances carried freedom songs from the meetings and churches of the American South to audiences in other regions, while raising funds for SNCC campaigns. The original group disbanded in 1963, although members kept the tradition alive in later performances.