Written by Carl Hancock Rux
Directed by Carrie Mae Weems
Music by Meshell Ndegeocello 
Live Performance by Carl Hancock Rux, Christopher Bruce, and The Resistance Revival Chorus 

Featuring a screening of The Baptism  

To honor the one-year anniversary of the passing of the civil rights leaders John Lewis and C.T. Vivian this past July, this celebration of civic engagement begins with the poet-performer Carl Hancock Rux, guitarist Chris Bruce and The Resistance Revival Chorus performing Rux’s The Baptism live over a projection of director Carrie Mae Weems’ moving images. The Baptism is a Lincoln Center commission that Rux and Weems with songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello crafted to honor Lewis and Vivian. The event continues with a panel discussion considering the power and responsibilities of contemporary American citizenhood and the role of the arts in helping us grapple with critical issues and move our society forward.