The Multicultural Genealogical Center will welcome Dr. Vibert Cambridge when he shares with us “The African American Presence in Guyanese Musical Life during the 20th Century”. 

Guyana is the only English-speaking nation state in South America. African American music—folk music, religious music, blues, ragtime, jazz, musical theater, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, hip hop, and rap—has had a special presence in Guyanese musical life and, by extension, Guyanese social and cultural life. 

Dr. Vibert Compton Cambridge is professor emeritus in the School of Media Arts and Studies, Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University. He has been a member of the Caribbean Scholars Association since 1986. During his career at Ohio University he has been Assistant and Associate Director, School of Telecommunication (now School of Media Arts), Director, Communication and Development Studies, Center for International Studies, and Chair, Department of African American Studies.  He has served as President of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.(2012 – 2022). In 2016, when Guyana celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence, Dr. Cambridge was awarded Guyana’s Golden Arrow of Achievement (A.A.), for his contributions to the study of Guyana’s social and cultural history. In 2013, he received the Award for Excellence in Global Engagement from Ohio University. Dr. Cambridge now serves as the Chair, History and Research Committee, Mount Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society (DBA Mount Zion Black Cultural Center).