Close
Current temperature in Boston - 62 °
BECOME A MEMBER
Get access to a personalized news feed, our newsletter and exclusive discounts on everything from shows to local restaurants, All for free.
Already a member? Sign in.
The Bay State Banner
BACK TO TOP
The Bay State Banner
POST AN AD SIGN IN

Trending Articles

Former 1090 WILD-AM director Elroy Smith to host reunion for some of Boston’s best radio personalities

Breaking new ground: Break dancing debuts as sport at 2024 Paris Olympics

Roxbury affordable housing development goes fully electric — even when the power goes out

READ PRINT EDITION

Roxbury Community College Hosts First Annual “Roxbury Rocks” Music Festival

(left to right) The Roxbury Rockers perform at RCC’s first annual “You Rock” award ceremony and concert: RCC President Valerie Roberson, Pamela Green, Lorita Williams, Edith Chears, Nancy Sheehan Curran, jazz vocalist Ron Murphy, Marshall Hughes, Myran Parker Brass
OrigiNation Dance Company
Dr. Valerie Roberson, RCC President, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson
Carmen Fields, Dr. Valerie Roberson, RCC President, Sheriff Steve Thompkins, Sarah Ann Shaw, Edith Chears
(left to right) Sarah Ann Shaw, Carmen Fields, Edith Chears
Roxbury Community College (RCC) hosted more than two hundred people at its first annual “Roxbury Rocks” Music Festival on the RCC campus at Roxbury Crossing. In addition to music and dance, the festival featured food trucks, free ice cream and face painting. Among the highlights were the presentation of the first “You Rock” awards to community leaders who have championed RCC and the Roxbury community. Honorees included: • Sonia Alleyne: Vice President and New England Regional Manager of Community Reinvestment & Santander Bank Foundation; • Judge Leslie Harris, a newly retired associate justice of the Suffolk County Juvenile Court; • Derek Lumpkins, executive director of Discover Roxbury; and • Beverly Morgan Welch, executive director of the Museum of African American History. Upon accepting his “You Rock” award, Judge Harris said “If we do not support our community institutions, then who will?” Dr. Valerie Roberson, president of RCC said, “It gives us great pleasure to welcome RCC’s friends and neighbors to our campus. The Music Festival is a fun way for us to come together as a community and share what RCC has to offer in the way of programs, services and facilities. We look forward to doing this again next year.” The performers included headliner Ron Murphy, a noted jazz singer, producer and actor. Murphy also writes jazz, rhythm and blues and gospel. Others on the roster included the John Kordalewski Trio, the pop group Alexi, the reggae band, King-i, and OrigiNation, a noted Boston dance company. Mistress of Ceremonies for the outdoor concert was Bonnie Johnson, producer and host of the WICN 90.5 FM radio program called Colors of Jazz. Carmen Fields, journalist and media professional, hosted the indoor jazz concert with Ron Murphy and the award ceremony. Festival partners included WICN 90.5 FM Radio, Ben & Jerry’s, Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, Wally’s Café and Slade’s Bar & Grill. (Phuong Tang photos)