Piedmont Opera will present African Queens on June 18 at 7:30 PM at First Baptist on Fifth in Winston-Salem. This is a free concert experience conceived and curated by acclaimed soprano Karen Slack, made possible through the support of the John W. and Anna H. Hanes Foundation. Karen Slack brings new works by acclaimed composers Jasmine Barnes, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon and Joel Thompson and takes us on a powerful emotional journey through the lives of seven remarkable Queens.

The program will serve as the official opening event for Winston-Salem’s Juneteenth celebration and coincides with the return of the International Black Theatre Festival (July 27–August 1), which draws thousands of visitors to the city.

African Queens honors the legacy, artistry, and resilience of Black women through a program blending classical repertoire, spirituals, and contemporary works, shaped by narrative and cultural context. The performance is designed as both a musical event and a reflective public experience.

What makes this event particularly distinctive is the depth of collaboration behind it. Piedmont Opera is partnering with the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, the Delta Arts Center, and Triad Cultural Arts—organizations deeply rooted in Black artistic legacy and community engagement in North Carolina.

This ecosystem also connects to nationally significant developments in American theatre. The North Carolina Black Repertory Company continues to expand its national footprint, including Broadway activity connected to Phenomenal Woman, directed by Debbie Allen and inspired by the life and work of Dr. Maya Angelou, who lived and taught in Winston-Salem.