ListenIN: Val Gay and Allen Pinkney Jr.

Wednesday, November 6 at 6 pm

African American Museum in Philadelphia

701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA

Val Gay and Allen Pinkney Jr. convene for a brilliant exchange about the legacies of African American spirituals in resistance and revival. After a short performance from Allen, the vocalists will examine the cultural sensibilities that shape these traditions, and the indelible impact on their own artistic journeys.

About Val Gay

Valerie V. Gay is a Certified Financial Planner, non-profit administrator, performing artist and thought leader. Performances include operas, special events and solo concert recitals, including a solo performance at Carnegie Hall. Awarded First Prize at the Summit City Art Song Festival Competition, Val has performed with artists including Kathleen Battle, Opera Libera, Poor Richard’s Opera, Gospel artists Dottie Peoples and Walter Hawkins, and Jazz trumpeter and composer Hannibal Lokumbe (world premieres). As a keyboardist and conductor, Val has formed and director several Gospel choirs across Philadelphia.

Val is deputy director and chief experience officer for the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, serves on the boards of the Barra Foundation and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and is a member of the Arts + Business Council’s Advisory Board and the Mayor of Philadelphia’s Commission for the Arts. She has received a number of community awards and distinctions, including “101 Most Connected Leaders,” “Philadelphia’s Most Influential African American Leaders” and “XIX Most Fashionable Women”. In 2019, Val received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from St. Joseph’s University, and holds performance degrees from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance and the University of the Arts.

About Allen Pinkney Jr.

Singer Allen Pinkney is a native of New York, NY. Allen began his musical journey singing in his church at a very age. At age 9 he auditioned and became a member and a treble soloist for The Boys Choir of Harlem. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College. Allen has received several singing awards which include: the First Place Price for the Paul Robeson Vocal Competition, the Encouragement Award from the Marian Anderson Vocal Competition for Emerging Classical Artists, the Metropolitan Opera New England Regional Council Audition’s Encouragement Award and the Opera North Outstanding Young Artist Award. Allen has performed extensively as a classical concert soloist. He has also performed a wide range of operatic roles from Don José in Bizet’s Carmen to Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Allen currently expresses his art through ministry. In August of 2010 Allen graduated from the McCollough Theological Seminary and he currently serves as the pastor of the United House of Prayer for All People in New Castle, Delaware.

Directions and Parking

The Museum is located in the City's Historic District, on the corner of 7th and Arch Streets. Parking is available on Arch Street at the Parkway Parking Lot, located directly behind the Museum. There is also metered parking throughout the neighborhood surrounding the Museum.

The Museum is easily accessible via SEPTA. It is located one block from the Market-Frankford 8th Street Stop, and is accessible via bus routes 17, 33, 44, 47, 48, 61, and The Phlash.