Raising her voice, honoring history

Nevaeh “Vivi” Vilella stood before the camera, her shimmering dress catching the light, her voice carrying through the room. As the first notes of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” rang out, she wasn’t just performing – she was telling a story, delivering a message that had echoed through generations.

Written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, the hymn became known as the Black national anthem, a song of perseverance, unity, and hope in the face of oppression. It has been performed at civil rights marches, churches, and national sporting events, carrying profound significance for many African Americans.

For Nevaeh, a 12-year-old singer who dreams of blending gospel and hip-hop music, the opportunity was as emotional as it was empowering.

“I hope people don’t just listen to the song but really understand where it’s coming from,” she said. “It’s about our history – how we’ve risen and moved forward.”

Her 90-second performance, recorded in advance and produced with multiple takes, was part of a Black History Month video project at Central Middle School (CMS). The initiative was led by African American Cultural Liaison Laquita Davis, with support from other CMS staff, to elevate student voices and foster cultural appreciation.

From an idea to the spotlight

The project began with a simple question. Late last year, Davis called Nevaeh into her office and asked, “Do you have any talents?”

Nevaeh’s response was immediate: “I can sing.”

Davis asked for a quick demonstration. Nevaeh sang “Emotional Rollercoaster” by Vivian Green. Impressed, Davis asked if she knew “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Nevaeh said she was familiar with the song but didn’t know all the lyrics.

“I had to go home and learn them,” Nevaeh said. “I practiced a lot.”

Davis, who developed the Black History Month video series, coordinated the performance. She secured a dress, tights, and shoes for Nevaeh. CMS choir teacher Adam Petroski provided piano accompaniment, and media specialist Lu Vue recorded the video from multiple angles.

“We started planning late last year,” Davis said. “I told (Vue) my vision for how I wanted the video to look. Nevaeh had to sing about 10 times so we could capture the best audio. Then, once we had the best take, she had to lip-sync to match the final audio.”

The video was played during school announcements.

An emotional experience

The experience became more than just a performance for Nevaeh.

“It was really fun and exciting at first,” she said. “But as we went on, I realized how deep and meaningful the song is. That made it a little emotional, but I was still proud because our history is so rich and powerful.”

Davis recalled a particularly emotional moment during filming.

“Not to interrupt her, but she did cry,” Davis said.

“I did cry,” Nevaeh confirmed.

“It’s such a heavy song, really emotional,” Davis added. “We actually had to stop for a bit – like 15 minutes – just to take a break, get some water and reset.”

A community’s response

When the video was shared on Eden Prairie School District’s social media on Feb. 1, the response was immediate.

“I got so many emails saying, ‘Oh, you did so good!’” Nevaeh said. “One teacher told me their whole class got goosebumps when I was singing. My friends were really supportive – they sent me lots of emails. Even my neighbors, who go here too, stop me in the hallways and say, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s the girl from the announcements!’ They joke that they need my autograph.”

Nevaeh’s aunt, Tamba Gordon, who has guided her musical journey, wasn’t surprised by the reaction.

“She first realized she could sing because she loved Selena,” Gordon said. “She taught herself to sing in Spanish, even though she didn’t understand the lyrics. Selena was her first favorite artist, then she got into Amy Winehouse. So I told her, ‘Let’s explore different genres, expand your vocals, and see where your range can go.’”

Bigger dreams, bigger stages

Since the video’s release, Nevaeh has landed the lead role in CMS’s upcoming spring production of “Descendants: The Musical.” The casting surprised some students; typically, lead roles go to older students.

“The other students were in eighth and seventh grade; it usually goes by seniority,” Davis said. “But after they saw that video, they were like, ‘Who is this girl from the announcements? We need her!’ So she beat out the older students.”

“I want to be a singer when I grow up,” said Nevaeh, who’s been singing since she was 5. “I just really want to thank God for my voice. I want to sing gospel, but I also love hip-hop, so I want to infuse the two and make hip-hop gospel songs. I think that would be really cool.”

And while “Lift Every Voice and Sing” may have been her first major public performance, it likely won’t be her last.

“I feel like I can make music that moves people – not just people, but also God, myself and my friends,” Nevaeh said.

Expanding Black History Month videos

Davis’s Black History Month initiative at CMS didn’t stop with Nevaeh’s performance. The project expanded beyond CMS, reaching Prairie View and another school. The videos, which played during school announcements, featured a variety of student-driven segments, including:

• A piece on Black hair and its cultural significance.

• A feature on former University of Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray, highlighting the challenges African American athletes face in securing leadership positions.

• A music-themed segment where students and staff were asked to recognize legendary Black artists like Whitney Houston and Beyoncé – many students didn’t.

Davis said the goal was to foster a sense of community and pride.

“I want them to feel comfortable in their own skin,” she said. “I want them to know it’s okay to celebrate who they are and their culture. It’s not always about slavery and hardships. No – we’ve done so much, we’ve contributed so much to America, and I want them to show that in different ways, whether it’s through singing, inventions, or just bringing a positive light to our history.”

She hopes to expand the initiative next year to include even more schools, possibly across the district.

“I’d love for it to become a community-wide initiative, something that all schools can participate in during the month,” she said. “I’d love to get parents involved too. Hopefully, they’ll want to contribute their own videos.”

A moment that matters

For Nevaeh, the experience was more than just a performance – it was a moment of self-discovery.

“At first, I was really shy – I didn’t even want to sing in front of my own family,” she said. “But then I thought, who cares? As long as I know I’m good and God tells me I am, I don’t have to worry about anything else.”