An evening for justice-minded Angelenos to gather, sing, connect, and be inspired
Fulfilling The Dream
For Our Beloved Community
Join the Mass Choir
Bring your ensemble or yourself to sing for Justice with singers from across L.A. See below for more information.
Watch the 2024 “Fulfilling The Dream” concert by clicking the link above.
Details about the 2025 Concert will be published here soon!
February 3, 2024
Kayo Anderson and Friends present
“A Love Letter To Skid Row”
6:30 Organ Concert 7:00 Feature Event
Proceeds benefit The Center For Peace & Healing
Every February for the past six years Angelinos have filled The Cathedral to sing, listen to one another, and recharge for the year ahead. These are people whose lives, work, and art feed on justice, equity, and inclusion. So often their work feels isolating. In the “Fulfilling The Dream” concert they find themselves among friends. They find a place for their voice to connect in song with others. They find the pleasure of like-minded purpose for the sake of community. As featured artist Kayo Anderson put it, “Come and recharge the love that flows from you like nature. Come renew yourself.”
The “Fulfilling The Dream” concert is an evening for justice-minded Angelinos to gather, sing, connect, and be inspired. This annual collaborative event, hosted by The Cathedral, partners each year with a local justice-minded organization whose members are on the ground, doing the work. This year The Cathedral will partner with The Skid Row Center For Peace and Healing.
The concert will premiere the new work “A Love Letter For Skid Row” written by Kayo Anderson and Skid Row community members. The "Love Letter" brings us close to the people of The Row through their stories. It is a multi-disciplinary work featuring music, spoken word, dance, the Mass Choir, and The Great Organs played by John West.
Event Director and Creator David Harris shares that “The Dream that Dr. King laid out for society-wide justice, equity, and inclusivity is far from fulfilled. Organizations across the city work tirelessly to chip away at the gross injustices still plaguing our communities. The Fulfilling The Dream concert was created so that these leaders can come together and share their load, plug in, and find new projects to support.” Each year features and financially supports the ongoing efforts of select organizations. To date the concerts have raised tens of thousands of dollars for local groups while strengthening ties across the L.A. justice community.
The Cathedral partners this year with the one of 8 centers that the city of Los Angeles sponsored across the city. The Peace and Healing Center in Skid Row is a place for the people of Skid Row to gather and rest from the struggles of street life. Kayo Anderson describes it as “a labor of love. It’s a community center that is based and built on love for the people. It’s a spot where community can come be loved, give love, display love, and create art. Skid Row is not the devastating area of Los Angeles, it’s the area of opportunity for Los Angeles, and we’ve got an opportunity to view it differently and put our love first.” The work of Anderson, Pastor Cue and others has led to instant community with depth and purpose. They are changing the flow of Skid Row by connecting to people where they are. They are leading in love, and opening themselves to the benefits of belonging to a vast and complicated community. They have a new initiative to purchase the Skid Row People’s Market to ensure food security for the people of The Row. The proceeds of the event will support this new effort.
The 2024 “Fulfilling The Dream For Our Beloved Community” Concert
Featuring Kayo Anderson and Friends presenting
“A Love Letter To Skid Row”
Kayo Anderson
Change Maker ~ Musician ~ Friend
Kenneth “Kayo” Anderson is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician and photographer who hails from Detroit, Michigan where he grew up being influenced by some of the greatest musicians in the world. Today Kayo uses his artistic and development tools in service of the incredible people of Skid Row in Los Angeles. As the development director of the Peace and Healing Center (Creatingjustice.la) he creates spaces that promote healing, musical and artistic experiences, and community connection. Kayo invites everyone reading this to join him in creating equity for all Angelinos.
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After studying Music Education at Jackson State University, Kayo founded the Mosaic Singers, the musical wing of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit (mosaicdetroit.org/). The troupe began with just 8 voices, but over the course of five years, they grew to an astounding 100 voices, and transformed into one of the most acclaimed and sought after youth choirs in the world. Under his direction, the student choir performed in 30 states, seven countries, and at prestigious venues such as the White House, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, La Salle Sia in Singapore, Le Maison De Sclaves in Senegal and the Millennium Dome in England, among others. He and the choir collaborated in various ways with amazing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Al Green, Sweet Honey In the Rock and many others. They were invited to give command performances for US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and for acclaimed author Maya Angelou, who remarked that the Mosaic Singers were "the most amazing youth troupe I've ever seen."
After relocating to Los Angeles in 2011 Kayo continued his legacy of ushering deep community involvement. He formed the Leimert Park Youth Choir under the umbrella of the Harmony Project, a world-renowned arts organization that provides free arts training to over 2000 at risk youth in Los Angeles. His personal life path in Los Angeles has fed his deepening compassion for all people. Having experienced the California housing crisis from multiple angles, he has devoted his time, talents and unique vantage to building community by being IN community; tackling the houselessness crisis with art, purpose and lived experience. During his advocacy work, he founded the LA CAN Freedom Singers who recently appeared on Americas Got Talent! He continues to lead music around the city, singing and guest teaching with the Episcopalian Society, serving as minister of music at St. Mark United Methodist Church, and as the Artistic and Development Director of Creating Justice, LA. In this role, and as Minister of Music at The Row: Church Without Walls, he serves to manage the Creating Justice Peace and Healing Center alongside Pastor Cue Jn Marie who has revolutionized ministry in skid row.
Kayo’s work has been featured in “The Wall Street Journal”, "The New York Times", “Swerve Magazine” and on Public Radio's and PBS "All Things Considered" and on NBC ‘s “The Today Show.” He was also one of the featured subjects of “And They Flew,” an Emmy award winning documentary. Kayo gives love to his family in Detroit, Spirit family, Creating Justice Family and you all: global family. WE ARE NOT SEPARATE! miss you mom! ❤️
Valerie Bailey has shared her multi-faceted vocal talent all over the world. Born in California, and raised in culturally rich Europe, Singer/Songwriter Valerie has toured and recorded with the best in the business. Sharing the stage with superstars like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Jazz standard crooner Steve Tyrell, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Rufus, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Labelle, Barry Manilow and Toni Braxton of the hit reality TV show “ Family Values,” to name a few.
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Traveling to Asia on a USO tour with lead singer Philip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire fame was a huge highlight in Valerie’s career. She was honored to visit and perform on different bases for the Armed Forces and to perform in Houston’s “Freedomfest” for the troops. Her diverse solo career includes a season singing in place of Marilyn McCoo with The 5th Dimension for a US tour.
An active songwriter, Valerie penned two Billboard Chart topping songs: “Till You Come Back To Me” performed by the eclectic jazz stylist Rachelle Ferrell, and the R&B tune “Typical Relationship” which was placed in the hit feature-film “Deep Cover” starring Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum. Both songs reached gold status. Valerie’s tune, “I Can’t Help Myself” grabbed a spot on the soundtrack of the hit film “Tru Loved” starring Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame. Valerie has also performed in Theatre and TV, appearing on the TV series, GLEE and in theatre work in Los Angeles including performing in the play HAIR. Valerie has worked with world renown music producers David Foster, Babyface, Jimmy Ham, and Terry Lewis. She continues to write for Film/TV, and for breakout solo artists.
Melida Skeete Smith is a singer, songwriter, arranger, instrumentalist and Award winning choral director. Her career has been laced with notable achievements, among them, a 1st place award in the 2003 McDonalds Gospelfest Los Angeles. Her recent album, “Change My Name” features gospel classics and originals carried on the soulful richness of her unforgettable voice. She is also Currently Continuity Director for Audacy Radio in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Melida is CEO of Uyoyo Peace a 501c3 for transitional housing in Los Angeles and Inglewood, California. Visit skeetemusic.com for more information.
Pastor Stephen "Cue" Jn-Marie is pastor of The Church Without Walls in Skid Row. Every Friday, for the last 17 years, he has led services, prayed with, and fed people in the heart of Skid Row, Los Angeles – America’s homeless capital. He is a former Virgin Records rapper who left the music industry in 1994 to become a preacher, activist and organizer. His persistent organizational, lobbying, and one-on-one efforts for the people of Los Angeles continue to create impact across the city, and for people of The Row.
Fulfilling the Dream For The Beloved Community
We partner this year with the Center for Peace and Healing in Skid Row. The Center is an L.A. organization creating community through compassion in the epicenter of L.A.’s housing crisis. They provide a place to belong, a home for curiosity and creativity, a business center, and free snacks and smoothies for all. Community lies at the center of peace and healing. Community not just for the Skid Row neighborhood, but for all Angelinos. The Center for Peace and Healing opens the daily opportunity for compassionate hearts to lift all of our neighbors toward equitable living. Healing LA’s housing wound will take everyone. Join the Center for Peace and Healing today to take the next step, and on February 3rd, 2024 to celebrate our unity toward equity.
This year’s concert will feature performers from the Center for Peace and Healing led by Kayo Anderson. Proceeds from the concert will support their efforts to bring equity and opportunity to those living without housing in L.A. In particular, we will be focused on helping them raise the capital to purchase Skid Row People’s Market in order to expand their impact and ensure food security for the Skid Row community.
Join the 2024 Mass Choir
One of the main goals of the “Fulfilling The Dream” annual concert is to bring justice-minded singers together from around the city to share their voices on music that has inspired movements. This evening of collaborative singing led by different conductors is a way for whole choirs and individual singers to gather with a large ensemble, celebrate, and meet other singers who want to contribute their voices to bringing justice, equity and inclusivity to Los Angeles. The choir rehearses on Saturday, February 3rd from 3:30-5:30 before the concert to sing a few well-known songs. A light dinner will be served after the rehearsal. No preparation is needed, but the music is available ahead of time for those who would like to prepare. Singers of all ages are welcome. Please email Music Director David Harris (dharris@fccla.org) with questions and to RSVP for yourself and your ensemble so we know how to plan for you.
“It was said that as Dr. King traveled to different towns and cities, and met the local leaders and foot soldiers on the ground, he knew that they were ready to truly participate in a non-violent movement when he heard them singing.”
~September Penn, The Power of Song, Inc. from the 2022 “Fulfilling The Dream” concert
2022 MLK Planning Committee
Judge Bob Ward (FCCLA), Rebecca Wink (VOX Femina LA), September Penn (Angeles Mesa Pres./The Power of Song Inc.), Bernard Brown (FCCLA), Rev. Michael Lehman (FCCLA), David Harris (FCCLA), Chester McCurry (FCCLA)
The 2024 Fulfilling The Dream Mass Choir Leadership
Youth and Teens are invited to sing in a special feature led by Kayo Anderson. Ensemble directors, email FCCLA Music and Arts Director David Harris (dharris@fccla.org) with questions and to reserve your place in the choir. Please note the number of singers you’ll be bringing. Rehearsal from 3:30-5:30pm on February 3rd. Music will be sent to you.
Organist, John West
International performing artist John West received his Master of Music degree with Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. West has toured extensively throughout the world. His performance credits include solo appearances with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and a featured artist of American Guild of Organists Region IX Convention. In the fall of 1995, John performed as a featured vocalist in New York with ‘Patti LuPone on Broadway’. He is a featured organist at Walt Disney Concert Hall on the DVD documentary about the Glatter-Götz/Rosales Organ, and for the last 14 years he has performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Hall on the Festival of Carols concerts in December.
John is also very active as a musician in film, television and recordings. He got his first professional industry job as a staff writer and producer with Motown Records eventually working directly with founder Berry Gordy, Jr. His songs have been recorded by Nancy Wilson and Jennifer Holiday. His uplifting spiritual song “Heaven’s Hands” was used to open the Vienna Music Festival, Austria in May of 2011, performed with a full symphonic orchestra, soloist and 100 voice choir. He became an in-demand vocalist for TV and film and has worked as vocal contractor for such blockbusters as “Hairspray” and “Godzilla”. His vocal performances are most recently heard in the soundtracks of “Black Panther: Wokanda Forever”, Jordan Peele’s “Nope” and “Spiderman- No Way Home”. Television appearances include “The Academy Awards” and his latest solo appearance in 2020 on the HBO series “Perry Mason”.
Currently John is Music/Choral Director and Organist at Hollywood United Methodist Church. He has two solo organ compact discs, and choral and organ works have been published by Lawson-Gould and Augsburg Fortress.
Event Director, David Harris
David Harris (DMA) specializes in new music, American music, and the intricacies of communication in singing, writing, and conducting. Through his "compassion-focused, artist-centered" rehearsal process, David opens vocalists into discovery spaces that prioritize each individual's experience. His filtered listening initiative elevates sensory/listening awareness as a central tool for engaging the voice. He is the Director of Music and Arts at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles where he directs professional, avocational and children's choirs. Through his work at FCCLA he has created several music/justice initiatives, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local charities by bringing music communities together. He has also led new initiatives to present classical choral masterworks with choirs and The Great Organs. He is an active performer and composer in L.A. As director of the professional ensemble Laude he recorded more than 300 tracks during quarantine including the premiere album and performance of Patrick Cassidy's "The Mass" in its organ/choir setting. He is also the Ensemble Director for the N.E.O. voice Festival, an annual festival that guides composers and vocalists to discover the vast potential of the human voice through the lens of science, compassion, and creation. David is the co-founder of VoiceScienceWorks, an organization helping vocalists learn to translate difficult voice science into immediately applicable tools.
Mass Choir Guest Conductor, Ernest H. Harrison
Dr. Ernest H. Harrison (Music Director & Conductor of GMCLA) joined GMCLA in December 2019 as Music Director and Head of Education and Outreach. Dr. Harrison received his Doctorate in choral music from the University of Southern California in May 2023. He is a former Associate Conductor of the National Children’s Chorus and Choir Director of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s Cantare Chamber Choir, and is also a member of the international choral ensemble Conspirare as well as a former Board Member of the Stonewall National Museum and Archives. In Fall 2023, Dr. Harrison began his tenure as Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology specializing in the music of the African Diaspora and Music and Social Justice at Cal State Polytechnic Pomona. His fields of study include early music, spirituals, gospel, jazz, and choral and vocal pedagogy. As an educator, Dr. Harrison is particularly passionate about the work he has done through community outreach, including choral clinics in the LAUSD school systems, presentations on healing through music, workshops through the AHJN network, and the Alive Music Project that provides free concerts to students all around the Southern California region. Dr. Harrison is a community minded educator who is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and on the stage, increasing musical representation of all marginalized voices, especially those belonging to the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, and creating and maintaining musical safe spaces for everyone who needs them.
