The North Central College campus and community are invited to the 2022 Black History Month events, including a keynote address by Spencer Paysinger, and the 34th Annual Gospel Extravaganza.
Spencer Paysinger Black History Month Keynote
7PM Tues., Feb. 1, in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
For free ticket availability, click here.
Event also will be streamed live via the North Central College YouTube channel.
Brief Bio of Spencer Paysinger
A Super Bowl-champion linebacker turned Hollywood writer/producer, Spencer Paysinger brought his own poignant story of living in South Central Los Angeles and playing football at Beverly Hills High to the hit CW and Netflix series, All American. Like the “Spencer” character based on his life, Paysinger grew up amid the drugs, gangs, violence and poverty of South Central LA with education-focused parents and a dream of going to college. A promising athlete who played four sports but excelled in football, he was offered the opportunity to attend elite Beverly Hills High, going on to lead the football team as captain to an undefeated season.
A scholarship to the University of Oregon followed, where Paysinger also became team captain and was part of the team’s very first undefeated season. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics, he began his NFL career with the New York Giants, winning Super Bowl XLVI in his rookie season. Paysinger played seven seasons with the Giants, Dolphins and Panthers.
In 2017, a few months after pitching All American, he retired from football to pursue his dream of developing television and film concepts focused on the Black experience in America. Within four months of retiring, he was shooting the pilot for All American. Now a sought-after writer/producer, Paysinger has written and developed various concepts under his Moore Street Productions banner with Uninterrupted and Deviants Media. He is currently writing a film for Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment.
Committed to leveraging his success to create opportunities for young people, Paysinger serves on the board of KIPP Public Schools’ Black and Latino Leadership committee, with the goal of creating program’s for KIPP’s South Central youth. He also serves on the board of Lyft’s City Works Council, which dedicates $50 million a year to support locally-driven community initiatives. Paysinger is also a co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a fast-casual eatery with allegiance to underserved communities.
Annual Gospel Extravaganza Concert (Voices of Praise Gospel Choir)
3PM Fri., Feb. 19, in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Voices of Praise’s 34th annual event will feature Wheaton College and Lewis University Gospel Choirs as well as student performances. For ticket ($10) availability, click here.
Take 6
8PM Sat., Feb. 26, in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Take 6, heralded by Quincy Jones as the “baddest vocal cats on the planet!,” is the quintessential a cappella group and the model for vocal genius. Six virtuosic voices united in crystal clear harmony, against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B, and pop. With praise from such luminaries as Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Whitney Houston, the multi-platinum selling sextet has toured across the globe, collaborated across genres, and is recognized as the pre-eminent a cappella group in the world.
For ticket ($55 or $65) availability, click here.
North Central College’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week and Black History Month events are sponsored by BMO Harris Bank and Nicor Gas with arrangements by the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the College. For additional details about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week and Black History Month events or accommodation information, visit northcentralcollege.edu/diversity-inclusion/mlk-day/2022 or contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at mca@noctrl.edu.
