Dr. Sharon J. Willis Talks African American Influence in Opera

BNC’s Bofta Yimam and Mike Hill sit down with Dr. Sharon J. Willis, executive director of the Americolor Opera Alliance, to discuss people of color in the opera world.

“I don’t think that opera is solely European. I just use it as a way of capturing our story and they’re so many classical trained African American singers who don’t get an opportunity to use their voices.”

Willis, the first woman to create an opera company, says that Americolor Opera Alliance is a “valuable platform” for African American opera singers.

Willis says that she writes about historical figures, such as Madam C.J. Walker, who would typically not have their stories told in opera.

All this and more on “Start Your Day.”

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