UMHB Celebrates Black History Month With 3rd Annual Evolution of Black Music in America Event on Campus

BELTON, Texas-In celebration of Black History Month, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's (UMHB) Kingdom Diversity Office is hosting the 3^rd Annual Evolution of Black Music in America. This year's theme, "Ole Time Religion," is a tribute to gospel church music. The night of worship will feature gospel performances and testimonies from Central Texas choirs, ensembles, soloists, and spoken-word poets. This powerful gospel fest will be held in the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

General admission tickets are $16.50 each for adults 18 and older, and $6.50 each for children under 18. UMHB faculty, staff, and students may pick up their free tickets by showing a valid CruCard at UMHB's Performing Arts Center box office. Special guests include Dr. Lillian L. Billie, Dr. Marcus Scott and His Sound Ministries, Prince Elven Camp, Jr., and Divine Messengers. To learn more about these special guests and for a link to purchase tickets, visit https://www.umhb.edu/kingdomdiversity.

"The unique soulful sound of Black music in America has been a cherished modality for expressing love, politics, and religion. The art of music is a conduit for giving praise to God and allowing those who hear it to feel the emotion evoked through Christian assembly and the worship of a loving God who is with us," explained Dr. Sanfrená Britt, director of UMHB's Kingdom Diversity Office. "I hope that our community, as a whole, will come and join us as we go back to the ole time way!"