The Memphis HUD Office had the privilege of seeing and hearing the Yo! Memphis Show Choir perform "Many Thousand Gone," a musical drama that depicted slavery in a historical context. The production graphically described the experiences of Africans who were taken from their homes and forced into slavery. In a moving representation of the auction block, the audience experienced the pain, suffering and humiliation, and was equally enthralled by the joyous celebrations of freedom at the end.

The performers attend the Yo! Memphis Academy of Visual and Performing Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. The Yo! Memphis program targets youth from 14 to 21 years of age in designated communities in Memphis. The choir is under the artistic direction of Ms. Chris Chandler and the musical direction of Mr. Derek Gasque. Mr. Gedeon McKinney, a 17 year old senior and valedictorian at the school, was one of the final 24 contestants on American Idol this year.

Since its inception in the Summer of 2002, Yo! Memphis Show Choir has sung its way into the hearts of many audiences including President Bill Clinton, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, U.S. Department of Labor, the Appollo Theater in New York, and Oprah Winfrey. They certainly sang their way into the hearts of the Federal employees attending the Black History performance. Those in attendance included the Memphis HUD staff, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court employees, and other employees that work at One Memphis Place.

Marjorie George, Supervisory Housing Program Specialist, Program Support Division, Memphis Office, arranged this performance as one of the Black History Events for 2006 for the Memphis HUD Office.