SummerStage’s SummerStage Anywhere digital series has announced a livestream event in partnership with VOICES, a nonprofit arts, education and social justice organization. Dubbed ‘The People Speak,’ the event will take place on June 12 at 7 p.m. ET, streamed on the SummerStage YouTube channel.

According to a press release, the event will see artists “performing excerpts by Malcom X, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou, Nina Simone, James Baldwin.” Those participating include: spoken word poet, performance artist, and an LGBTQ rights and political activist Staceyann Chin; Golden Globe nominee actor Michael Ealy; actor Megalyn Echikunwoke, also known as Megalyn E.K.; singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Celisse Henderson; poet and the Vice President and Artistic Director of Social Impact at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Marc Bamuthi Joseph; and actor and dancer Ryan Jamaal Swain. 

“For over 30 years, SummerStage has provided a platform to bring communities together. We believe deeply that we cannot change the future if we do not have an understanding of our past,” said Erika Elliott, Executive Artistic Director of SummerStage via press release. “The historical texts within Howards Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States give voice to timely and poignant information that is as important to today’s dialog as it was when the words were first spoken. SummerStage stands in solidarity with our fellow New Yorkers who are pushing for necessary change. We hope this performance will provide some inspiration to help initiate that change and help us rebuild a stronger city and country.”

For more information and to tune in, click here.