Liberian Women's Chorus for Change

Philadelphia Folklore Project

The Liberian Women's Chorus for Change at a pop-up concert. Blue Bell Triangle Park, Southwest Philadelphia, June 2014. Photo by Toni Shapiro-Phim. — The *Liberian Women's Chorus for Change* at a pop-up concert. Blue Bell Triangle Park, Southwest Philadelphia, June 2014. Photo by Toni Shapiro-Phim.

Marie Nyenabo (accompanied by Blamoh Doe and Fernon Flomo) of the Liberian Women's Chorus for Change at a pop-up concert. Blue Bell Triangle Park, Southwest Philadelphia, June 2014. Photo by Toni Shapiro-Phim. — Marie Nyenabo (accompanied by Blamoh Doe and Fernon Flomo) of the *Liberian Women's Chorus for Change* at a pop-up concert. Blue Bell Triangle Park, Southwest Philadelphia, June 2014. Photo by Toni Shapiro-Phim.

The Liberian Women's Chorus for Change at the Women Against Abuse Press Conference, Love Park, Philadelphia, October 2014. Photo by Leslie Macedo. — The *Liberian Women's Chorus for Change* at the Women Against Abuse Press Conference, Love Park, Philadelphia, October 2014. Photo by Leslie Macedo.

Recipient

Grant Year 2014

Grant Amount $200,000

Status Completed

Updated May 30, 2023

Led by 2014 Pew Fellow Fatu Gayflor, the Liberian Women's Chorus for Change addresses urgent issues of violence against women in Philadelphia's growing Liberian community. The members of the chorus will adapt existing folk songs and write new ones in traditional styles, in the hopes of subverting historical narratives in which women are blamed, stigmatized, or victimized. The Chorus' goals are to foster conversation through song, generate collective strength to act, and offer options and resources for change. The Philadelphia Folklore Project will present the Chorus in local Liberian neighborhoods as well as in concerts at World Cafe Live and other venues. The Philadelphia Folklore Project received a 2013 Discovery Grant to explore the impact of the Chorus' work.

*Additional unrestricted funds are added to each grant for general operating support.*

Primary EventsEvents & Exhibitions

The Liberian Women's Chorus for Change, 2013. Clockwise, from upper left: Fatu Gayflor, Marie Nyenabo, Zaye Tete and Tokay Tomah. Photo by Anna Mulé.

Liberian Women's Chorus for Change Pop-up Concert in Love Park

Oct 3, 2014
LOVE Park, Philadelphia

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Liberian Women's Chorus for Change Community Concert

Feb 8, 2015
Collingdale Agape Missionary Church of the Nazarene, 212 MacDade Blvd, Collingdale, PA

Liberian Women's Chorus for Change Performing at Liberian Independence Day Celebration

Jul 25, 2015
United German Hungarians Club 4666 Bristol Road, Trevose, PA

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The Liberian Women's Chorus for Change at the Peacebuilding Forum Performance, Philadelphia, March 2015. Photo by Ed Kennedy.

Liberian Women's Chorus for Change Performing at Liberian Community Gathering at Bartram's Garden

Jul 26, 2015
Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia

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Liberian Women's CHORUS FOR CHANGE: Fatu Gayflor, Marie Nyenabo, Zaye Tete, and Tokay Tomah, 2013. Photo by Anna Mule, courtesy of the Philadelphia Folklore Project.

For the Sake of Our Sisters: The Liberian Women's Chorus for Change in Concert

Nov 21, 2015
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

uestions of ractice

Tokay Tomah, 2016 Pew Fellow. Photo by Ryan Collerd.

Interview

Fellows Friday: Q&A with Vocalist and Composer Tokay Tomah

Recipient

Philadelphia Folklore Project

Since its founding in 1987, Philadelphia Folklore Project has documented, supported, and presented Philadelphia-area folk arts and culture to sustain living cultural heritage in communities. Annually, the Folklore Project offers exhibitions, concerts, and workshops to artists and communities. The organization conducts ongoing field research into community-based local arts, history, and culture, and preserves a record of Philadelphia's folklife in its archive.

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