VOARC (VOA's Rainbow Coalition) is an initiative launched by me, Nana Baakan Agyiriwah, the Managing Director/Founder of The "Voices Of Africa" Choral & Percussion Ensemble.
The term "Rainbow Coalition" has been used over and over again for a variety of programs, organizations and movements. But in this instance it is used to represent the variety, the complete and unequivocal variety of people that we have met along the way.
So many times we were met with the unexpected warmth, love and appreciation from the most different of people across the expanse of the US and abroad, as in our travels to the Ghana, the UK, and Canada. All too often we leave their presence overwhelmed and filled up with the love, longing to return to see them again, and to maintain the friendships. Folks are kind enough to let us stay in their homes, feed us, transport us, sign our mailing lists; but it gets so hectic that it becomes very difficult to get back to everyone, including the managers of hotels and drivers and support staff at each venue. We have met so many different kinds of people. If you check out our website; www.voicesofafrica.net you can get an idea of where we have been, especially recently. Sometimes we would get a call to come to a place we would have never dreamed would have an interest in us, like say, North Dakota. We'd all say, now how many black folks is in North Dakota?? Nevertheless, we would get on the plane, go there, and find out that it just didn't matter how many black folks were there, the hospitality and sharing that went on far superseded color restraints and considerations. We felt loved, we loved them, and that was all that matter. These are the people we have met in the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western portions of this Country.
I know that it is the power in our music. It separates the divide and fills folks up with a healing and powerful energy. I am extremely proud of the impact we have on our audiences. I know that when we leave, physically, we will never leave their minds, hearts and spirits. Our presentation made an indelible mark on them for years and years to come. I am grateful to the Creator for giving me each moment that I am able to be the Servant and Vessel of Peace and Love through our music.
With this web site, I hope to re-connect to those folks we haven't touched base with in a long time, maintain the connection to the ones who we just left and open up new connections through a network of folks who extended themselves to us. Of course, they all had one thing in common, VOA, so I believe that certainly they can share their love among themselves as well. Isn't that what love is all about? Isn't it the most magical thing? We all believe in love and surely with more of it spreading around the globe we can get away from hatred, bigotry, racism and all the other "isms" that separate one human being from another. I always say, we are one family, sharing one home, the planet earth. So as long as we are here we might as well spread the love and appreciate each other. Take care of each other and our common home and make this place a better place for everyone to live in.
So I hope you got here because you are answering the invitation to come and check out this website. Read it over, tell me what you think. But more than anything, please, join. It is absolutely free to join, no hidden charges, just wanted to do something for you all out there, and let you know how important and special you are to me. Sometimes, when I am having a really challenging day, I think of your faces, your smiles, your wonderful comments, and I am uplifted, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Nana Akosua Baakan Agyiriwah
VOA's Rainbow Coalition includes people of all walks of life; of all ages; of all lifestyles, religious, spiritual, educational persuasions.
VOA's Rainbow Coalition is an eclectic group of folks who think outside of the box and have a deep appreciation for diversity, and particularly African Arts, Culture, Music, History & Customs.
VOA Rainbow Coalition Members, love VOA!!!! They listen to our music, dance to our music, tell their family and friends about our music, and can't wait to see us perform our music in their home town, school, place of business, etc.
If any or all of this terms apply to you, then you are ready to become a member of VOA's Rainbow Coalition.
