Lula B. Sherman Church Hosts HBCU Experience Event
The annual concert and awards ceremony celebrated community leaders and highlighted music from the Fisk University Choir.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Cultural
Live Poll
Do community awards encourage local residents to become more involved in civic activities?
The Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church in Evanston hosted the 18th annual HBCU Experience concert and Isibani awards ceremony. More than 200 people attended the celebration, which featured a performance by the Fisk University Choir.
Why it matters
The event serves as a platform to recognize local contributions to community service, stewardship, education, and the arts. It reinforces the cultural connection between local institutions and the traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The 18th annual event drew over 200 attendees to Evanston. Among the honored, Jeffrey Hardy was recognized for his Arts Excellence after 32 years of service at Mount Zion and 12 years at Sherman Church.
The players
Fisk University Choir
This musical group is affiliated with the historically Black university located in Nashville and performs choral repertoire across the country.
Stephen Hagerty
He is a former mayor of Evanston who served the city for four years and received an award for community stewardship.
Derrick Blakley
He is a veteran journalist who served as the presenter for the award recipients during the ceremony.
Jeffrey Hardy
He is a long-serving community member recognized for his extensive tenure in local religious and musical leadership.
The details
The event featured musical performances by the Fisk University Choir, directed by Andrew Davis, and was hosted by Derrick Blakley who introduced the honorees. Awards were presented to individuals including Janet Alexander Davis, Lionel Jean-Baptiste, Eileen Wiviott, Stephen Hagerty, Lisa Altenbernd, Trina Haley McMillan, and the Fulce family.
Timeline
The 18th annual HBCU Experience concert and Isibani awards ceremony took place on October 16, 2026.
Stephen Hagerty served as mayor of Evanston from 2017 to 2021.
Clarence Fulce, honored as part of his family's recognition, died in 2025.
Industry Dynamics
This concert follows a pattern set by the historical tradition of HBCU alumni associations hosting cultural programming to maintain institutional ties. The event demonstrates how local community centers serve as vital hubs for maintaining these cultural networks outside of a university setting.
The public is invited to attend future iterations of this annual concert series hosted at the Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church. Information regarding ticket availability and upcoming programming is typically coordinated through the local church office.
The takeaway
Community-led events like the HBCU Experience provide important recognition for local leaders while preserving essential cultural connections. Residents interested in civic engagement can participate in these annual programs to support local educational and artistic initiatives.
Further reading
For more information on local celebrations, visit the Evanston Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
Live Poll
Do community awards encourage local residents to become more involved in civic activities?
