Soul Sisters in Performance at Love Sound Benefit Concert for The Congo and WPFW

On Sunday, October 20th, 2024, the Westminster Presbyterian Church in SW Washington, DC will host a powerful evening of soulful music and solidarity at the Love Sound Benefit Concert for The Congo and WPFW, featuring an all-star lineup of talented soul sisters. Doors open at 4:30 PM for a show that runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with performances by acclaimed artists Deja Belle, Maimouna Youssef, Ayanna Gregory, Navasha Daya, Anna Mwalagho, Wayna, Free Benjamin, Laini Mataka, and the legendary Sweet Honey in the Rock.

This benefit concert is organized by the Friends of the Congo (FOTC), a Washington, DC-based advocacy group that has been working since 2004 to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and partner with Congolese communities to foster lasting change. The event aims to support both the Friends of the Congo’s efforts and WPFW, a beloved local radio station known for its focus on justice, music, and culture.

Deja Belle, a Congolese-American singer-songwriter and producer, is one of the evening’s standout performers. In a recent interview on the Afrobeat Orbit Radio Show on WOWD Takoma Park Radio, Belle reflected on her deep connection with the concert’s organizers, Friends of the Congo. She described the organization’s work as essential in raising awareness about the plight of the Congolese people, and she has long supported their mission of peace and empowerment. The benefit concert is particularly meaningful to Belle, whose roots in the Congo continue to shape her identity and music.

Belle’s 2019 song “Home” from her album U.N.I. reflects her longing for her ancestral home and the love of her grandparents in the Congo, a place she hopes she can always return to. This sense of belonging and hope runs through the heart of the Love Sound Benefit Concert, as artists come together to offer music that soothes and uplifts, just as it brings attention to urgent global struggles.

The lineup also includes the dynamic Maimouna Youssef, known for her powerful fusion of hip-hop, soul, and activism, and Ayanna Gregory, the daughter of civil rights legend Dick Gregory, whose work in music and theater continues his legacy of social justice. Navasha Daya, an acclaimed soul vocalist and cultural advocate, and Anna Mwalagho, a Kenyan-born spoken word artist and comedian, add depth and variety to the event, infusing it with both African and African-American traditions.

Rounding out the evening are performances by the Grammy-nominated Ethiopian-American singer Wayna, the soulful lyricist Free Benjamin, and renowned poet Laini Mataka. And in a special performance, the legendary vocal ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, whose a cappella harmonies and socially conscious lyrics have made them icons of the civil rights movement, will bring their signature blend of gospel, jazz, and African chants to the stage.

The Love Sound Benefit Concert promises to be an unforgettable evening, not only for its musical excellence but for the cause it supports. Every ticket sold contributes to the Friends of the Congo’s mission to alleviate suffering and bring hope to the people of the DRC, while also keeping WPFW’s vital voice on the air. It’s an opportunity to experience the power of music as a tool for healing and activism.

For those interested in attending, tickets are available now on Eventbrite: Love Sound Benefit Concert. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an evening of soul, strength, and solidarity.

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