Last updated: January 8, 2025
Article
Sweet Honey in the Rock (Silver Spring, Maryland)
African American Civil Rights Network
Sweet Honey in the Rock is widely-acclaimed acapella ensemble comprised of African American women founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon, an original member of the Freedom Singers, a musical quartet associated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
In 1973, Bernice Johnson Reagon formed Sweet Honey in the Rock with Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Mie Fredericks as part of the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. Members and alumni of Sweet Honey in the Rock arrange and compose songs to produce the group’s signature sound which blends contemporary sounds with music of the African diaspora and African-American church. Through its music, the group has “triumvirate missions of empowerment, education and entertainment.” Its songs have addressed themes ranging from social and political issues to spiritual and environmental concerns.
Since its founding, the women of Sweet Honey in the Rock have recorded over 25 albums. Their music has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and the group has also performed across the U.S. and around the world. The group has performed at the White House and they embarked on U.S. Embassy tours with performances and community outreach in Ethiopia, Peru, Jamaica, and Swaziland.
Sweet Honey in the Rock became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
Sweet Honey in the Rock is widely-acclaimed acapella ensemble comprised of African American women founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon, an original member of the Freedom Singers, a musical quartet associated with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
In 1973, Bernice Johnson Reagon formed Sweet Honey in the Rock with Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Mie Fredericks as part of the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. Members and alumni of Sweet Honey in the Rock arrange and compose songs to produce the group’s signature sound which blends contemporary sounds with music of the African diaspora and African-American church. Through its music, the group has “triumvirate missions of empowerment, education and entertainment.” Its songs have addressed themes ranging from social and political issues to spiritual and environmental concerns.
Since its founding, the women of Sweet Honey in the Rock have recorded over 25 albums. Their music has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and the group has also performed across the U.S. and around the world. The group has performed at the White House and they embarked on U.S. Embassy tours with performances and community outreach in Ethiopia, Peru, Jamaica, and Swaziland.
Sweet Honey in the Rock became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.