Heritage Ensemble’s 26th consecutive Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Choral Celebration set for Jan. 18

WCBU | By Mae Gilliland Wright

Published January 7, 2026 at 11:26 AM CST

Promotional graphic for WCBU 89.9 FM’s NPR program Out and About, presented by PNC. The design features a portrait of Sharon Samuels Reed on the right, with text reading “featuring Sharon Samuels Reed.” On the left is the vertical text “Celebrating Through Song.” Logos for WCBU.org and NPR appear at the top. A small inset promotes the 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Choral Celebration, “Singing Songs of Our Heritage,” January 18, 2026, at Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center. At the bottom, “Listen Here” appears alongside podcast platform icons.

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks to Sharon Samuels Reed, founder and artistic director of The Heritage Ensemble. Sharon reflects on founding the Ensemble and the mission that continues to guide its work.

They chat about the Ensemble’s 26th consecutive Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Choral Celebration, taking place Jan. 18 at Illinois Central College, and why honoring Dr. King through music continues to matter. Sharon also discusses what has sustained her commitment to this work year after year.