International Black Theatre Festival Premiere Celebration & Mood Media Network Launch
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Hawthorne Inn
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Kick off an unforgettable weekend with Harlem Collective Opera at our Opening Night Reception, held at the Hawthorne Inn following the premiere performance of The Black Composer Project during the International Black Theatre Festival.
Join artists, patrons, educators, community leaders, and special guests for an evening of conversation, celebration, and connection as we commemorate the opening of this landmark production. The reception offers a unique opportunity to meet the creative team, network with fellow supporters of the arts, and celebrate Harlem Collective Opera’s mission to make classical music and opera more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring for audiences everywhere.
We invite you to Be a Part of the Story as we begin a weekend celebrating Black artistic excellence, innovation, and the transformative power of music.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Immediately Following the 8:00 PM Performance
Centenary United Methodist Church
646 W. Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Join Harlem Collective Opera and Mood Magazine for an unforgettable evening celebrating the premiere of The Black Composer Project during the International Black Theatre Festival while marking the official public launch of the Mood Media Network.
Following the performance, guests are invited to an elegant Gala & Reception that celebrates the enduring legacy of Black classical music while unveiling an exciting new vision for how these stories will be shared with audiences around the world through live performance, journalism, digital media, and innovative technology.
At the heart of the evening is The Black Composer Project, Harlem Collective Opera’s signature concert experience dedicated to discovering, preserving, performing, and promoting the extraordinary works of Black composers. Through the integration of live performance and AI-enhanced cinematic storytelling, audiences are immersed in the lives, music, poetry, and historical journeys of composers whose voices have too often gone unheard.
More than a performance, The Black Composer Project represents Harlem Collective Opera’s mission to make classical music and opera tangible, accessible, and welcoming to everyone. We believe these remarkable art forms should not be experienced as a privilege for the few, but as a cultural treasure that belongs to every community, every family, and every generation.
The Gala also marks the official public launch of the Mood Media Network, expanding Harlem Collective Opera’s mission beyond the concert hall through storytelling, journalism, broadcasting, and digital media.
Introducing WHRL Mood Radio Harlem
Experience WHRL Mood Radio Harlem, a 24-hour digital radio station featuring classical music throughout the day, with evening programming devoted to opera, jazz, arts and culture, wellness, literature, and conversations with artists, educators, and cultural leaders.
Introducing Mood TV
Guests will also celebrate the debut of Mood TV, a new streaming platform featuring artist interviews, live performances, documentaries, behind-the-scenes programming, educational content, original series, and inspiring stories highlighting the individuals and organizations shaping the future of Black arts and culture.
Together with Mood Magazine, these platforms create one seamless destination where audiences can read, listen, watch, and engage with inspiring stories celebrating Black excellence from Harlem to the world.
Honoring Dr. K. S. Tichina Vaughn
The evening will feature a special recognition of Dr. K. S. Tichina Vaughn—internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano, educator, scholar, and arts leader. As the featured cover artist of Mood Magazine, Dr. Vaughn will be honored for her extraordinary contributions to vocal performance, arts education, mentorship, and her lifelong commitment to advancing Black excellence in the performing arts.
Why This Evening Matters
In today’s world, we are surrounded by constant distractions and endless noise. Music gives us something different—it invites us to pause, breathe, reflect, and reconnect.
Classical music has the power to calm the mind, nourish the spirit, inspire creativity, and remind us of our shared humanity. Every performance, every article, every broadcast, and every story produced by Harlem Collective Opera and the Mood Media Network is designed to create meaningful moments of inspiration and connection.
That is why our organizations are guided by two simple promises:
Harlem Collective Opera
Be a Part of the Story.
Mood Media Network
Let Us Curate Your Mood.
Together, these guiding principles invite every person to experience the transformative power of music, culture, and storytelling.
The Evening Includes
- Premiere celebration of The Black Composer Project
- Official public launch of the Mood Media Network
- Introduction of WHRL Mood Radio Harlem
- Introduction of Mood TV
- AI-enhanced cinematic storytelling presentation
- Elegant Gala Reception immediately following the performance
- Special recognition honoring K. S. Tichina Vaughn
- Meet-and-greet with the artists and creative team
- Remarks from artistic, educational, civic, and community leaders
- Networking with producers, presenters, educators, philanthropists, donors, and arts advocates
- Celebration of future collaborations dedicated to expanding access to Black classical music and the performing arts
Proceeds from the Gala directly support Harlem Collective Opera’s mission to discover, preserve, perform, and promote the extraordinary works of Black composers while investing in arts education, affordable programming, community outreach, digital broadcasting, and the next generation of performers and cultural leaders.
We are honored to welcome distinguished guests from across the nation, including artists, producers, educators, patrons, community leaders, and invited celebrities attending the International Black Theatre Festival.
Join us for an unforgettable evening where music, media, technology, and community come together to celebrate Black artistic excellence and launch a new era of cultural storytelling.
Be a Part of the Story.
Let Us Curate Your Mood.