The mission of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir is to inspire joy and unity among all people through Black gospel and spiritual music traditions.

WE ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION BY:

  • performing black gospel and spirituals with a diverse group of people

  • creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion

  • modeling and inspiring unity by the diversity of our membership and our joyful performance

  • providing young people with positive youth development opportunities rooted in spiritual and gospel music education

  • delivering a musical experience to institutionalized and underserved audiences, including performances at prisons, shelters, and schools

  • serving the general public with free and low-cost performances

  • performing at public, artistic, faith, and commercial events

  • assisting other nonprofit organizations in their outreach efforts

  • bringing together a culturally and ethnically diverse audience at self-produced outreach events

  • collaborating on cross-cultural musical projects

  • inspiring and educating the public about the cultural, historical, and political context of spirituals and gospel music

  • engaging in special projects, including the Biennial Music Workshop, recordings, and tours

  • touching hearts and minds through our performances

OIGC sees a world where all people, regardless of social biases, will tap into their own power of spirit and joy, be comfortable with each others’ differences, and celebrate those differences in harmony.

WE VALUE:

  • the power of the human spirit and its ability to transcend limitations and biases

  • the building and sustaining of a diverse and inclusive community that embraces all people

  • personal and organizational responsibility for modeling integrity, respect, and peace

  • our role as a positive example within the interfaith community

  • the black gospel and spiritual music traditions

  • music as a tool to educate and strengthen community

WE BELIEVE:

  • that song has the power to transform lives and to unite people across differences

  • that a culture of inclusion challenges each of us to be a positive agent of change

  • that in striving to be a culture of inclusion we serve as a model of a greater vision for the world

  • in the value of service to the community and the world

  • that everyone has a unique voice, and that every voice is important

  • that when communities take active responsibility for the struggles, as well as the successes, of all people, communities are more likely to thrive