Storytime…

 

My mother, the late Billie Kerl Roberts was a great musician and phenomenally loving human. She had five thousand and one music jobs, and I followed her to almost all of them. In the early 1980s, she and several of her music friends and colleagues including William Mitchell, Jowanda Jordan (late), and former National Second Vice President Serrita Lattimore (late) and others, started the Dallas Metroplex Musicians’ Association (DMMA). In its early days, DMMA flourished with concerts and various programs that honored Black music and musicians in Dallas like never before. I absorbed everything they taught me inside and outside of NANM, instilling a profound sense of pride and Black music excellence that has influenced me to become a 2024 candidate for the National President of NANM.

 

That NANM connection has followed me throughout my life. DMMA gave me several scholarships throughout my collegiate years that nurtured my musical growth. At Hampton University, my voice teacher, Marilyn Thompson (late) introduced me to Tidewater Area Musicians Geraldine Boone and Mrs. Noah Ryder (late), who guided me and afforded me many opportunities to sing during my tenure at Hampton. During graduate school, I competed for the Southern Region (now Southwestern and Southeastern Regions) and found new support and encouragement from Metropolitan Atlanta Musicians Association members Dr. Calvin Grimes (late) and Fredericka Hurley (late), who dared me to be the best musician I could be.  I studied with the legend William Warfield (late) during graduate school at Northwestern University. The stories and the practical knowledge I gained from that experience have been immeasurable. As my career bloomed, I started to work more with NANM at the local, regional, and national levels.  I was introduced to the indomitable Danellen Joseph (late), a literal angel (one of the baby angels from Green Pastures) and an energetic force to which I aspire now and certainly later in life!

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Throughout my life, I have been profoundly influenced by many talented NANM musicians, icons, and music educators from every region, and they have truly shaped the musician and leader I’ve become. The legacy my cloud of witnesses left alongside the impact of my musical village is a daily motivation.  I honor their artistry by continually striving for musical excellence while inspiring others across all generations to do the same.

 

Through every facet of my career, I have been encouraged and empowered to perform and educate audiences about the power of Black music. And now as a conductor and arts administrator, I program music by Black composers at every opportunity. Professionally, I served as the Interim General Director for Fort Worth Opera (FWO), Associate Artistic Director/Chorus Master as well as Adjunct Voice Professor at Texas Wesleyan University. Currently, I serve as the Director of Artistic Operations at Portland Opera and am one of two Black female opera administrators at major opera companies with casting authority in this country. In this role, I plan opera seasons, hire artists/creatives, create budgets, negotiate contracts, help identify funding, and help create marketing messaging/ campaigns for upcoming seasons. I also interface with national opera and orchestral administrators and have also been fortunate to build relationships with the nation’s leading composers, musicians, and artists. Combined with my arts expertise, I hope to leverage these relationships and others to benefit NANM, if elected National President.

 

Understanding that “I am because we are”, I know that activating our legacy can unlock a vibrant future for NANM. NANM belongs to all of us. And together, with a vision and a plan that respects and understands the power of our rich history and the uniqueness of our branches, we can catapult transformative, relevant growth with three principal tenets to guide us:

 

NANM Beyond 100

 Continuing to assess our identity is crucial for us to better nurture our members and ensure we remain relevant across this country, inevitably strengthening NANM and securing our place in history for the next 100 years.

 

Operational Assurance

Following established guidelines and procedures, and developing appropriate, relevant policies for our organization, is essential for maintaining a clear and transparent structure for leadership at local, regional, and national levels. This approach is key to our unity and success.

 

National Profile

Raising the national profile of NANM is a key goal. By working collaboratively with other national organizations, NANM can expand its influence, shaping its future identity and impact.

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For more details about this plan, visit https://ajrfornanm.com 

 

It has been my distinct pleasure to serve NANM over the last several years as Southwestern Regional Vice President, National Second Vice President, and National Convention Planner.

If allowed to continue to serve as your next National President, we will continue to make our founding foremothers/fathers proud as we strive to ensure that the core body of NANM is healthy, happy, and connected!

 

Vote for Alfrelynn Roberts because Together We Activate Our Legacy and Unlock A Vibrant Future for NANM!

 

 

Thank you…

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Alfrelynn
 

Alfrelynn J. Roberts