All about "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black national anthem
Singer Ledisi will perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which is widely known as the Black national anthem, at the start of the 2025 Super Bowl.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" has a short Super Bowl history, but the song itself has been around since 1900, when it was first performed by a choir of 500 schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida. It was written by James Weldon Johnson, who considered the piece a hymn.
What is the Black national anthem?
James Weldon Johnson's "Lift Every Voice and Sing," colloquially known as the Black national anthem, was originally written late in 1899, James Weldon Johnson Foundation president Rufus Jones said.
Johnson, a renowned author, educator, lawyer and civil rights activist, set out to write a poem to to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and the piece became a song. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson, composed the music.
James Weldon Johnson referred to the work as a "National Hymn," but his work spread and was later popularized as the Black national anthem.
"At the turn of the 20th century, Johnson's lyrics eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans," according to the NAACP, where Johnson was a leader. "Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s."
Calling the song the Black national anthem has led to some controversy. "America only has ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM. Why is the NFL trying to divide us by playing multiple!? Do football, not wokeness," Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican from Colorado, tweeted before it was performed at the 2023 Super Bowl.
Jones, however, emphasized that "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written and popularized decades before "The Star-Spangled Banner" became America's national anthem in 1931.
"In Jim Crow America, when everything was 'separate and equal,' so to speak, Black folk found their own sources of inspiration," Jones said.
In early 2021, Rep. James Clyburn filed a bill seeking to have "Lift Every Voice and Sing" honored as the national hymn.
Who is singing the Black national anthem at the 2025 Super Bowl?
Ledisi was selected to perform "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at the 2025 Super Bowl. Pregame performances will also include Jon Batiste singing the national anthem and Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle with "America the Beautiful."
"Honored," Ledisi wrote on social media about the news.
There will also be an American Sign Language performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by actor Stephanie Nogueras.
Who sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at past Super Bowls?
The song has been featured ahead of four previous Super Bowls.
Andra Day performed the song before the 2024 Super Bowl. And in 2023, Sheryl Lee Ralph did the honors, performing it on the field for the first time before the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
"It is no coincidence that I will be singing the Black National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing at the Super Bowl on the same date it was first publicly performed 123 years ago (February 12, 1900). Happy Black History Month," she shared on social media at the time.
Alicia Keys performed the song in a pre-recorded video before the 2021 Super Bowl. The following year, Mary Mary performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" from outside SoFi stadium at Super Bowl LVI.
In 2020, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was played before all 16 of the Week 1 games, according to the NFL. At the time, the league said it was working to "amplify work done by its players and the families who are trying to address social justice issues."
"[The song] has encouraged generations of Black people that God will lead us to the promises of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness," the NFL's Troy Vincent said at the time. "It's as pertinent in today's environment as it was when it was written."
Full lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.
Super Bowl LIX will air on FOX on Sunday, Feb.9, from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Search for plane that went missing off Alaska with 10 people on board
How a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win could make the NBA's Pat Riley a lot of money
Locals fight to keep polar bear hot-spot alive
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Georgetown County prepares for inaugural Juneteenth Festival
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)–Georgetown County is preparing to host its first-ever Juneteenth Festival this Saturday, an all-day event honoring freedom, culture, and Black excellence. Held at the Georgetown County Library, the celebration will feature storytelling, live music, games, food vendors, and more, all designed to spotlight local Black-owned businesses and cultural traditions. 'Juneteenth is excellence, power, resilience… just a whole lot of strength in the community highlighting Black excellence,' said Whitley Snipes, owner of Nobu Wellness. One of the main attractions will be the Black Business Expo, showcasing vendors from across the county. 'It'll feature all Black-owned businesses from Georgetown County, selling their products, sharing their stories, and showcasing their excellence,' said Jo'Vonna Davis, Social Media Manager for the library. Visitors can also enjoy performances from local bands, Legend Gullah Storytellers by Ron and Natalie Daise, and a hands-on sweetgrass basket workshop led by Jennifaye Singleton. Snipes says events like this are vital to building stronger communities. 'Sure, we've got big franchises—but being local means you connect more, build real relationships, and we all grow together. That's powerful.' Organizers say the festival is not only a celebration but also a chance to learn, connect, and support one another. 'I hope folks walk away understanding what Juneteenth truly means and maybe even discover a new favorite Black-owned business to support,' said Davis. The festival runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Georgetown County Library. It's free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Eva Longoria and More Speak Out Against Trump's LA ICE Raids: ‘Those Are Not Criminals'
Celebrities are making themselves known as vocal opponents of the ongoing ICE immigration raids as demonstrations continue in Los Angeles. 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' rapper Doechii said while accepting her BET Award at the show Monday. 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that people are being swept up and torn from their families?' She continued: 'And I feel it's my responsibility to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people, for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters against hate and we protest against it.' Elsewhere, celebs like Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, John Leguizamo and more also spoke out on social media. 'What's happening in Los Angeles and across the country is heartbreaking.' Lovato wrote. 'Immigrants are a vital part of our community and the fabric of our country. While I feel powerless, I stand with those living in fear and hope that these resources can help in some way. Let's please continue to show up for one another and support our neighbors.' Eva Longoria called the raids 'inhumane' and 'un-American' in a video posted to her Instagram. 'We all can agree, nobody wants criminals in our country, nobody wants rapists, nobody wants drug dealers, nobody wants bad actors in our country- that's not what's happening,' Longoria said. 'These roundups are happening in birthday parties, in elementary school graduations, Home Depot. Those are not criminals. I hope that everyone has more compassion for this issue and realizes we have industries dependent on immigrant labor.' Kardashian posted similar thoughts to her Instagram Stories. 'When we're told that ICE exists to keep our country safe and remove violent criminals- great,' she said. 'But when we witness innocent, hardworking people being ripped from their families in inhumane ways, we have to speak up. We have to do what's right.' She added: 'Growing up in LA, I've seen how deeply immigrants are woven into the fabric of this city. They are our neighbors, friends, classmates, coworkers, and family. No matter where you fall politically, it's clear that our communities thrive because of the contributions of immigrants. We can't turn a blind eye when fear and injustice keep people from living their lives freely and safely. There HAS to be a BETTER way.' Leguizamo posted a video encouraging the protestors to keep at it as the raids drew on. 'Your protests are beautiful,' the actor said. 'Protesting is as American as apple pie. But Trump wants to create a situation. He wants to be able to call on the Insurrection Act. He wants to create martial law so he can take over every government in every city and every state, so don't give him that,' the actor pleaded to his followers. 'Don't give him what he wants. I mean, he's trampling on all our democratic values of due process, of listening to courts and the judiciary. Just stay calm, stay peaceful. Don't let don't give him what he wants.' The raids began late last week and sparked protesting over the weekend. President Trump mobilized 2,000 members of the National Guard to quell the gatherings – without consulting Governor Gavin Newsom – and then added an additional 700 marines to the mix on Monday. The protesting reached the point that LA Mayor Karen Bass placed a curfew downtown beginning Tuesday night. The post Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Eva Longoria and More Speak Out Against Trump's LA ICE Raids: 'Those Are Not Criminals' appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
CAA Amplify Summit Tackles ICE Raids, DEI Rollback, Allyship and Our ‘New Chapter of Resistance'
Creative Artist Agency's annual CAA Amplify Summit urged its attendees to become allies while protesting injustices as the United States enters a 'new chapter of resistance' that's come with President Donald Trump's second term. 'This year, the struggle has a different level of complexity … The system is now dragging people from the streets … Women's bodies are on the line, wars rage on, children everywhere pay the price,' CAA's managing director Maha Dahkil said in her opening remarks for the summit, which took place on Tuesday at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, California. She emphasized the impact 'chaotically unleashed' voices of injustice have had in the nearly 200 days that Trump has been back in the White House, noting that protesting the DEIA crisis was the initial step in the fight for justice last year. 'In 2025, the road to justice, freedom and dignity somehow got harder,' Dahkil said. 'Nothing is worth the price of your humanity, and yet we see institutions, leaders, individuals who marched alongside us not so long ago fade away. The slippage of allies, the loss of pledges, the weaponization of words and three letters we don't say anymore … This is urgent.' Over the course of 15 live panels, spotlight interviews and speeches, the CAA Amplify Summit outlined how attendees can continue the fight for justice and equality as Hollywood, and the entire nation, pulls back on equity and inclusion initiatives. In the first portion of the summit, American Civil Liberties director Anthony Romero and NAACP president and director-counsel of the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Janai Nelson discussed the country's current political state, calling the Trump administration's actions in recent months 'an American agenda.' Romero said that he organizes what's happening in the country into three buckets: the targeting of institutions and individuals as political enemies, the targeting of the of politically weak groups ('The anti-DEI effort is just a way to score cheap political shots') and the targeting of institutions that 'undergird our democracy.' 'That's what's happening in our city right here. The idea of the military, the Marines, the National Guard, not being invited in by the governor,' Romero said. When it comes to what form of protest Americans should consider or perform, Nelson said 'every possible form,' whether it's peacefully protesting in the streets or refraining from spending money at stores or companies that have made controversial business decisions. 'It is important to be visible,' Nelson said. 'There are ways to push back against the erosion of programs and commitments that were made five years ago or even before.' Continuing the conversation around equity and inclusion, CAA's Brandon Lawrence spoke to Allen Media Group founder and CEO Byron Allen in a fireside chat, during which the business mogul shared his thoughts on the importance of ownership and how historically the Black community — despite being the second-largest consumer group in the country — has systemically never been afforded the opportunity for economic inclusion. 'As Black people, we own nothing, and we must own,' Allen said. 'That gives us a seat at the table in controlling the narrative, control how we're produced, control how we're depicted, how we're seen [and] we tell our stories. We don't let other people tell our stories. We control; that's what's important.' Woven throughout the program were spoken words and brief presentations, including a piece by 'Abbott Elementary' Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph that highlighted the need for 'joy' in the country in the midst of what some may feel are bleak times. 'This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me. The world did not give it to me,' Ralph said as she burst into song. 'And the world will not take it away!' In addition, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, Alberto M. Carvalho, shared his heartwarming journey of how his immigrant background shaped his career trajectory. He condemned schools being the target of ICE raids. 'I stand proudly in the face of abuse and oppression, intimidation and fear, for schools are places of education and inspiration and not fear and intimidation,' Carvalho said. 'That is why I have boldly declared to the nation that our schools, our places of inspiration, our temples of knowledge, are no place for immigration enforcement.' Another topic that was discussed at the summit was transphobia and rollback on protections and targeting of the LGBTQIA+ community. During a panel discussion, actress Laverne Cox and executive director of Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Melanie Willingham-Jaggers called for the re-humanization of the trans community. 'We are not an injured version of our previous selves. We're a new and different thing. And I want to tell you that, too,' Willingham-Jaggers said. 'We are not trying to go back to make America great again. We're not trying to go back to some previous, perfect time. We are a new thing.' As the event came to a close, Janelle James ('Abbott Elementary'), Sherry Cola ('Joy Ride') and Asif Ali ('Deli Boys') took the stage and discussed the power or authentic representation on screen. 'Representation is seriously everything,' Cola said. 'I definitely feel that impact, too. Asian girls, or queer girls hit me up and they feel like they've never seen a character like Alice on 'Good Trouble' before in their lives … I love being a role model in that way because that's what we were dying to see when we were growing up.' As the curtain came down for the evening, CAA's Natalie Tran bid farewell to guests, reiterating the event's desire for attendants to keep on moving in their fight for justice. 'Justice is not guaranteed; it must be fought for and it must be insisted upon, Tran said. 'We know that lives will change because of what we decide to do next, so let's commit to each other. Let's commit to each other and the work that lies ahead. Let this be our legacy, that in your moment of noise and erasure, we chose clarity, we chose each other, and we chose to redesign a collective future worthy of our stories.' The post CAA Amplify Summit Tackles ICE Raids, DEI Rollback, Allyship and Our 'New Chapter of Resistance' appeared first on TheWrap.