Thurs. August 27, 2026 | 6 pm - 7:30 pm | 109 E Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601

EVENT OVERVIEW

Join the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR) on August 27 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. for a FREE, powerful and inspiring evening celebrating the life and legacy of Mahalia Jackson, widely considered the greatest gospel singer of her time and an often-overlooked leader in the American Civil Rights Movement.

This special program features Mary D. Williams, acclaimed gospel singer and scholar, and Tim Tyson, New York Times best-selling author, co-authors of the new book Mahalia Jackson, Moving On Up a Little Higher: The Story of an American Civil Rights Pioneer.

Through presentation, discussion, and moments of live performance, Williams and Tyson will discuss their groundbreaking portrait of Jackson, revealing not only her extraordinary musical gifts but also her essential influence within the Civil Rights Movement, a legacy that still resonates powerfully today.

Following their presentation, Dr. Darin Waters, Deputy Secretary for DNCR’s Office of Archives and History, will join the authors onstage for a conversation exploring Jackson’s enduring impact on music, social justice, and American history, with time reserved for audience questions.

We invite you to be part of this moving tribute to a woman whose voice and vision helped shape a nation.

BOOK SIGNING TO FOLLOW

• Released on Aug. 18, copies of Mahalia Jackson, Moving On Up a Little Higher: The Story of an American Civil Rights Pioneer will be available for purchase at the event, and the program will end with a book signing.
• K-12 teachers who are currently employed in a NC public school can sign up at the start of the event to win a copy of the book! Name and a school e-mail address will be necessary to enter. 10 copies will be awarded at the end of the evening. Teachers must be present to win.

RSVP & SEATING

PLEASE NOTE THAT SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. While filling out this form does not reserve seating, you are helping us plan ahead so we can welcome all guests comfortably in our 200‑seat auditorium for this complimentary event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

LOCATION & PARKING

• This event will take place in the DNCR Auditorium at 109 E Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601. 
• Parking is available in the Visitor's Lot directly across the street (free after 6:30 PM) or along the streets surrounding DNCR.

ACCOMODATIONS

If you need assistance or accommodations to participate in this event, please reach out at EducationOutreach@dncr.nc.gov so our staff can help.

SPONSORS

This event is provided by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources (DNCR) Office of K-12 Education and the Come Hear NC Music Office, a program of DNCR's NC Arts Council.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Mary D. Williams
Mary D. Williams is a renowned gospel singer, historian, and educator from North Carolina who brings African American spirituals and Civil Rights–era anthems to life, highlighting the connections between music and social change. Born in Garner and rooted in community storytelling, she performs widely across the US, while weaving history into her art. As a powerful voice in arts and culture, she builds community and fosters intergenerational understanding through performance and scholarship. She is the co-author of the new book Mahalia Jackson, Moving On Up a Little Higher: The Story of an American Civil Rights Pioneer.

Timothy B. Tyson 
Tim Tyson is a senior research scholar at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies and adjunct professor of American Studies at UNC, specializing in the intersections of race, religion, and the Civil Rights Movement. A prize winning historian and author, his books (including Blood Done Sign My Name and The Blood of Emmett Till) have earned national acclaim and major literary awards. He is the co-author of the new book Mahalia Jackson, Moving On Up a Little Higher: The Story of an American Civil Rights Pioneer.

Dr. Darin J. Waters
Dr. Darin Waters is the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Archives and History at DNCR, overseeing the operations of the divisions of State History and Maritime Museums, State Historic Sites, Archives and Records, and Historical Resources. He is also the secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission and the State Historic Preservation Officer. An accomplished historian and educator, he formerly served as Associate Professor at UNC Asheville and was Executive Director of UNCA’s Office of Community Engagement. With a PhD from UNC Chapel Hill, Waters has blended academic expertise with public service throughout his career.