The very first Peace Ball happened in Washington, D.C. at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Jan 19th. The event was an alternative Inaugural Ball, highlighting "the accomplishments and successes of the past four years and the vow to continue to be the change we want to see in the world." And the distinguished guest list was full of nothing but people who represent a change for so many of us in our community, every day. 

Angela Davis, Alice Walker, Van Jones, Melissa Harris-Perry, Senator Cory Booker, DeRay Mckesson and Danny Glover are just a few of the many public figures and political activists who came to be counted at the Bus Boys and Poets' Peace Ball. And while there were so many amazing speakers there in that one building at the very same time, it seems as though the biggest highlight of the night came in the variety of musical performance. Music is the universal language that speaks to us all in a way that we can always understand. And that's exactly what both musicians Esperanza Spalding and Solange Knowles did for that crowd at the Smithsonian – and it was all the way lit.

Esperanza performed with the help of Howard University's award-winning jazz vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and Angela Davis introduced Solange by referring to her as the "one who will help us produce the anthems for our resistance." Can it really get any better than that?  

The 2017 Busboys and Poets' Peace Ball was a demonstration and celebration of the powerful work that so many have been doing to create positive change in the country we live in. Our community has always banded together in order to fight for the progress we deserve in an impactful way that inspires others to do the same. Now that the very first one is in the books, it's safe to be sure that it was not the last. And, these performances by Solange and Esperanza Spalding were just icing on top of the cake. You can get a taste of both performances via NyMag and watch Solange below. 

Solange singing "Mad"


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