Florida Memorial University

George Gadson is pleased to announce the completion of a work commissioned by Florida Memorial University (formerly Florida Memorial College) (FMU). FMU is one of Florida's oldest black academic centers, founded in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak, Florida.

The 6 ft. bronze sculpture titled "Lift Every Voice", depicts an elegantly adorned female in an evening gown, flanked by notes to the first five words of the National Negro Anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Written by James W. Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, the song was originally performed in 1900 by Florida Memorial's Glee Club.

The work is permanently installed in the front lobby of the university's Lou Rawls Performing Art Center.