Our Faith Is How We Grow Our Courage

“We will support you, so take courage and do it.” – Ezra 10:4. 

When she was only six years old, Marian Anderson joined the junior choir at her church. She was so musically gifted that the choir nicknamed her "Baby Contralto."

But when Anderson’ was 12, her father died. 

Especially after losing her father, the church wanted Anderson to remember they had faith in her. She channeled her grief into her music.

The congregation raised $500 so Anderson could attend music school for a year. When she was 19, she spent another year taking lessons from Giuseppe Boghetti, a renowned tenor, who was so impressed with her that he taught her for free.

Anderson’s singing made her a national and international sensation. Her voice was described as one you heard "once in a hundred years."

And although her voice was part of the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement, she, like many Black performers, faced racism. 

In 1939 the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to allow Anderson to perform at their Constitution Hall because she was Black. However, she would not give up her singing career because of one setback, and she delivered a historic performance for over 75,000 supporters at the Lincoln Memorial. 

Where did she get her courage, especially in the face of hatred? 

Anderson drew her courage from her childhood church community. 

Nothing is more sacred than a Black child growing up knowing that their community has unshakable faith in them. And as they mature into adulthood, that faith becomes courage.