

A Night of Black Excellence:
Past, Present, and Future
ENCORE
About
This inspiring event sponsored by Tarrant County Pearls Chapter, The Society, Incorporated and hosted by WFAA's Tashara Parker, includes internationally renowned opera singers Nicole Heaston, Latonia Moore, Kenneth Overton, Karen Slack, Kevin Thompson, and many more phenomenal Black artists within and beyond the world of classical music. Produced by Charles W. Bush (Founder of Appointed Productions) and directed by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton (FWO Manager of Education & Community Engagement) this virtual benefit concert will be one of the highlights of the 2021 season.
“Fort Worth Opera’s celebration of Black History Month is long overdue and appropriate in this time. We are overjoyed to have a line-up of A+, international Black classical and non-classical artists, living both locally in the DFW metroplex and throughout the county. It is my distinct joy and pleasure to introduce, many for the first time, this roster of Black Excellence.”
-Afton Battle
General Director
Fort Worth Opera
Encore Tickets $10
March 5-7, 2021
Encore Performance
CREATIVE TEAM
Sheran Goodspeed Keyton
Virtual Producer/Director
FWO Manager of Education & Community Engagement
Tyrinika Marie
Virtual Production Manager
FWO Development and Production Administrative Coordinator
Charles W. Bush
Video Production
Founder of Appointed Productions
Event Program
Meet the Host

Tashara Parker, M.A.
Daybreak Ensemble Anchor | Community & Traffic Storyteller
Tashara Parker is an award-winning anchor and reporter at WFAA News 8 in Dallas, Texas covering traffic, breaking news and inspirational stories. Featured as one of WFAA's preeminent voices, the Daybreak anchor brings experience, vibrancy and authenticity -- capturing the attention of DFW viewers in an engaging and informative way, all the while creating loyalty.
Coined as a "community-focused storyteller", Tashara is the go-to source for all things "community", as she blends her passion for underserved people and organizations with an unwavering spirit of empathy. As one of Dallas' influential voices, Tashara utilizes her platform to volunteer hundreds of hours to many organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
With a dedicated following both on and off the air, the journalist is described by viewers as "someone who truly cares about people and this community", recently earning her the honor of "Best Broadcast Journalist" by the Dallas Weekly. With this powerful mantra lighting her path, Tashara continues to carve her slate within the industry -- bringing both DFW and the best in community storytelling to the forefront.
Artists

Baldwin Brown

Latonia Moore
Photo by Jeffery Salter for The New York Times

Adam Richardson

Patrice P. Eaton

Nicole Heaston

Cameo Humes

Keron Jackson

NaGuanda Nobles

Kenneth Overton

Chivonne Perkins

Leslie N. Polk

Audra Scott

Karen Slack
Photo by Kia Caldwell

Darius Thomas

Russell Thomas
Photo by Fay Fox

Takesha Meshé Kizart-Thomas

Kevin Thompson
Photo by Kevin Steele

Jorell Williams
The Amp'd Quartet Presented by DIVISI

Bandan Koro African Drum & Dance Ensemble

Mondo Drummers featuring Eddie Dunlap

Amphibian: Tad-Poles Stilt Walkers

Tutt ²

Proudly supported by:

