BIW shares lineup for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony

Since our beginning in 1971 at Macalester College, St Paul –  Jazz, Blues, Spirituals, Rock & Roll, R&B, Gospel, Hip-hop & Soul. These are The Sounds of Blackness!  

We’ve  performed for Kings, Queens, Presidents, Ambassadors at Concert Halls, Colleges, Schools, Corporations and Festivals all over the World.

Sounds of Blackness appearances include The Olympics, The World Cup, Ryder Cup, The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, World Figure Skating Championships The Grammys, The Super Bowl,  The Essence, SoulTrain, Stellar Billboard and Image Awards, Denver Summit of 8, The NAACP National Convention and The White House.

Sounds of Blackness has appeared with Quincy Jones, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Sting, Prince, Elton John, Maya Angelou, Usher, Dolly Parton, Harry Belafonte, Aloe Black, Common, John Legend & many more.

Sounds of Blackness has won Image, Soul Train, International Time For Peace, Stellar and 3 Grammy Awards! Their Life-Changing Top 10 Single & Video “ROYALTY” was Nominated for 2 Stellar and 2 NAACP Image Awards!

Sounds of Blackness Anthem Singles – 

“TIME FOR REPARATIONS” was Nominated for 2 Naacp Image Awards. “Juneteenth Celebration” Released on May 3, 2022 and is The Juneteenth Holiday Anthem.

Our Groundbreaking Singles 

“Hold Up Your Light” and  “So Thankful” in Honor of Amir Locke also debuted in 2022!

March 8, 2023 “URGONNAWIN” our highly acclaimed Single and Video is motivating and inspiring people all over the world!  Sounds of Blackness previous Single “Thankful” was Nominated for an NaacpImageAward!  

Our New Single “We’re Unstoppable”, is The Anthem of Today’s Movement for Racial Justice. 

Sounds of Blackness Glorify God by Educating and Inspiring All People Through Black Music!

NUR-D is a hip hop artist from Minneapolis. He performs all over the country with his hip-hop packed with personality, high-energy performances, and a kaleidoscopic mix of musical influences. He has performed alongside acts like Ludacris, Tyler the Creator, and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Nur-D couldn’t be more excited to be sharing the stage with the Grammy Award Winning Sounds of Blackness and performing for what is sure to be one of the most spectacular Special Olympics ever!

Founded in 1996, Interact was the first-and remain the only-organization in the US that provides professional level training in both theater and visual arts, professional performances and exhibitions, and a rich spectrum of community engagement for aspiring and experienced artists with disabilities.

“Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts’ mission is to create art that challenges society’s perception of disabilities and to build community connections. You will see performers throughout this ceremony from Interact’s performing arts department,” artistic direction Joe Price states. “Interact is incredibly excited and honored to partner on the Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics, helping create an unforgettable celebration that highlights our vibrant arts community.”

“All of us at Collide are excited to partner with artists from Interact and the fantastic Special Olympics creative team to bring the joy of dance to this extraordinary event,” shares founder Regina Peluso.

Regina Peluso is the founding Artistic Director of Collide Theatrical Dance Company and resident choreographer for the Guthrie Theater’s A Christmas Carol. A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, she spent over a decade performing in New York and Los Angeles before founding Collide in 2013. Under her leadership, the company has created more than 40 original dance theater productions and received numerous state and federal arts funding awards.

As world-renowned dancers, Lumhe and Samsoche Sampson (of the Mvskoke Creek and Seneca communities) strive to promote cultural pride, unity, and hope by setting a positive example through art, education, and dance. They’ve performed in more than half a dozen countries, 100s of universities, and demonstrated/educated 1000s of individuals around the world about their culture and Indigenous Hoop Dancing.

Marlana Van Hoose is an extraordinary young singer and recording artist, who has warmed the hearts of many throughout the world. She was born with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) which is believed to cause her to be totally blind and was only given one year to live. At the age of two, Marlana was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy. Even though she faces many challenges, she just sees it as a way of life.

Marlana is a three-time Heritage Award recipient through the Artist Music Guild. She has sung all over the United States at various events & churches. CBS evening news has aired her story, she has sung at 3 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Races, NCAA women’s basketball tournaments and at several NBA basketball games, including the 2015 NBA Playoffs, the 2015 NBA Finals – Game 6, as well as many other events & churches across the USA. ESPN-E-60 aired “Loud and Proud” a story about Marlana and the UK women’s basketball. Marlana also had the honor of singing at Carnegie Hall in NY City & Madison Square Garden for the NY Rangers.

Jim Papoulis is a globally celebrated, best-selling composer known for work that combines contemporary, classical and World sounds. His music has been featured at the 2008 Presidential Inauguration, The Pope’s visit to Yankee Stadium, the Beijing Olympic Games (2008), and the World Cup in Brazil. His original song Give Us Hope is on permanent exhibit at the 911 Memorial Museum in New York.

Jim’s compositions have been performed across more than 75 countries, and his recordings have sold over two million copies throughout the world. His choral work includes songwriting workshops with choirs from all walks of life, including Neuro-diverse and at-risk youth. He has been the musical director of events with the United Nations, CBS at Carnegie Hall, Carifest in Trinidad, International Choral festival in Brazil, and numerous concert events at Lincoln Center. He has worked with Beyonce, Celine Dion, Snoop Dogg, Jason Mraz, Joshua Bell, The New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony.

Jim is the founder of The Foundation for Small Voices, which raises money for music programs in need throughout the world. He firmly believes that music can heal, educate, celebrate, and empower the lives of children from all walks of life.

BT has been an original creative team member of a dozen Broadway shows, including the Tony-winning hits BILLY ELLIOT, CABARET, and SPAMALOT, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Brooke Shields, John Stamos, Morgan Freeman, Kristen Chenoweth, Nathan Lane, Alan Cumming, among others. He has been the Associate Director for Oscar-winners Sam Mendes and the legendary Mike Nichols, as well as Broadway icons Jerry Zaks, Stephen Daldry, David Hare, and Rob Marshall.

Internationally, BT has staged record-breaking runs of shows in Paris, Madrid, and Sydney, winning the Australian Tony Award (the Helpmann) for Best Direction and staging the European premiere of THE PRODUCERS for Mel Brooks. A BMI Award-winning writer, BT has created musicals that have played Off-Broadway, on national tours, and Madison Square Garden. Additionally, he has directed at the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall. He is currently the Executive Artistic Director for the Tony-nominated La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles.

ARDA Studio specializes in creative concepts and production design for Live Entertainment, Theatre, and Broadcast led by co-founders Anita LaScala and Rob Bissinger.

Their designs have been seen by millions of people worldwide. Highlights include: Magic Mike Live in Las Vegas, London, Berlin, Australia, and the National Tour; and the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Closing Ceremony. They contributed to the concept design for the Baku 2015 European Games Opening Ceremony in Azerbaijan and led the production design team for Russia’s Sochi 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony earning an Emmy nomination.

Trevor is a nationally renowned costume designer based in the Twin Cities whose work is known for its emotional intelligence, meticulous storytelling, and deeply collaborative spirit. A sought-after designer across both regional and national theater, he has created costumes for organizations including the Guthrie Theater, Arena Stage, Boston Lyric Opera, 5th Ave Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Children’s Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Minnesota Opera, Seattle Rep, and Theatre Latté Da.

Paul is a New York and Minneapolis-based Lighting and Production Designer.

In 2009 Paul led the lighting design team on the new Broadway musical FELA! and was nominated for the American Theater Wing’s Tony Award for their collaboration with distinguished American modern choreographer and director, Bill T. Jones. His design work for musical artists have included Beyonce, Tony Bennett, Gloria Estefan, Pearl Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Michael Bublé, Lady A, Jennifer Hudson, Elton John, Ricky Martin, Garth Brooks, Gwen Stefani, Katie Perry, Faith Hill, Shakira, Frankie Valle, James Taylor, Mylie Cyrus, Taylor Swift, John Mellencamp, and Reba McEntire.

Paul is on the faculty of the New York University Tisch School of the Arts Department of Design for Stage and Film in Production, Scenic, and Lighting Design.