Fisk University to Commemorate Jubilee Day with Events at NMAAM and Convocation Featuring Alumna Dr. Shirley J. Bailey ’58

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 23, 2025) – Fisk University will celebrate Jubilee Day 2025 with two cornerstone events honoring the legacy of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers® and the achievements of distinguished alumni. The commemorations will include a partnership program at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) on Saturday, October 4, 2025, followed by Jubilee Day Convocation on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Fisk Memorial Chapel.

Jubilee Day at NMAAM – Saturday, October 4, 2025
In collaboration with NMAAM and SAG-AFTRA, the current Fisk Jubilee Singers will gather at NMAAM for an immersive day centered on the history and living legacy of the ensemble.

Schedule of Events (All times Central):

  • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Jubilation Exhibition Private Viewing
    Exclusive access for the Fisk Jubilee Singers to experience artifacts, ambassador panels, and immersive storytelling on the original ensemble.
  • 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. | Orientation and Welcome
    Led by NMAAM staff, including a Fisk Jubilee Singer soloist.
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Fisk Jubilee Singers Performance
    Performance of traditional spirituals in the Jubilation Exhibition gallery with reflections from Dr. G. Preston Wilson. Open to museum visitors and the public.
  • 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | PBS Documentary Screening
    Screening of The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory in NMAAM’s Roots Theater, followed by Q&A. Open to the public with museum admission.

Jubilee Day Convocation – Monday, October 6, 2025, 10 a.m.
On campus, Fisk will mark Jubilee Day with its annual Convocation in Fisk Memorial Chapel. The University will welcome Dr. Shirley J. Bailey ’58 as keynote speaker.

Dr. Bailey, a pioneer in dentistry and community leadership, is the founder of theAssociation of Black Women Dentists, past President of the California State Board of Dental Examiners, and a nationally recognized advocate for equity in healthcare. Her career and commitment to excellence exemplify the values of service and leadership that define the Fisk experience.

“These events – one held in the heart of downtown Nashville and the other in our own historic chapel – show how the legacy of the Jubilee Singers continues to inspire new generations,” said Dr. G. Preston Wilson, Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. “From the voices of today’s students to the achievements of alumni like Dr. Shirley Bailey, the spirit of Jubilee remains alive and powerful.”

Event Information

  • Jubilee Day at NMAAM: Saturday, October 4, 2025 – National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
  • Jubilee Day Convocation: Monday, October 6, 2025, 10 a.m. – Fisk Memorial Chapel, Fisk University Campus

If you wish to attend the exhibition, please visit the National Museum of African American Music.

About Fisk University
Fisk University is a highly-ranked historically Black university, according to U.S. News and World Report, and is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville, Tennessee. Fisk’s outstanding faculty and students continue to enhance the University’s international reputation for academic excellence. Fisk’s scholars continue to make strides in all areas of the industry from Social Justice to the sciences. A Fisk education prepares students to become beacons in servicing the community and well-rounded leaders and scholars in their respective fields. Fisk offers more than 20+ undergraduate and graduate programs in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Clinical Psychology with a bridge Masters to Ph.D. program through a partnership with Vanderbilt University.