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NEWorks Productions is inviting congregations, choirs and organizations nationwide to join us in a special hymn-sing project during February 2026. This project commemorates the 100th anniversary of Black History Month — founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson — by uniting churches and chapels in singing “Just Like Selma,” a new social justice hymn composed by Nolan Williams, Jr., chief music editor of the bestselling African American Heritage Hymnal. 

The struggle for voting rights that defined Selma sixty years ago is not ancient history—it’s a present reality. As new generations face renewed battles over democracy, access, and equality, Just Like Selma reminds us that the courage and strategy of those who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge remain urgently relevant. We stand at a crossroads once again, and the time to unite and act is now. 

Just Like Selma draws inspiration from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.— "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice"—and echoes the sounds of Black Church devotional songs and traditional Civil Rights anthems. 

To date, the movement includes 36 participants representing 19 states, the District of Columbia, and 11 denominations. 

  Abington, PA

• Salem Baptist Church

  Atlanta, GA

• Cascade United Methodist Church
• Friendship Baptist Church
• Oakhurst Presbyterian Church

  Beloit, WI

• Bethel AME Church

  Bridgeport, CN

• Mount Airy Baptist Church

  Charlotte, NC

• St Luke Missionary Baptist Church
• University Park Baptist Church [The Park]

  Charleston, SC

• St. James Presbyterian Church

  Chicago, IL

• Salem Baptist Church of Chicago
• Trinity United Church of Christ

  Cleveland, OH

• Olivet Institutional Baptist Church

  Dallas, TX

• St. Luke Community United Methodist Church

  Decatur, GA

• The Greater Traveler's Rest Baptist Church [House of Hope Atlanta]

  Englewood, NJ

• First Baptist Church of Englewood

  Harlem, NYC

• The Abyssinian Baptist Church

  Hillside, NJ

• First Baptist Church of Hillside

  Houston, TX

• Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church

  Humble, TX

• The Luke Church

  Little Rock, AK

• Second Baptist Church

  Louisville, KY

• Burnett Avenue Baptist Church
• Strathmoor Presbyterian Church 

  Memphis, TN

• Christ Missionary Baptist Church
• Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church

  Philadelphia, PA

• The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas

  Phoenix, AZ

• First Institutional Baptist Church 

  Pittsburgh, PA

• Mount Ararat Baptist Church

  Richmond, VA

• Cedar Street Baptist Church

  Silver Spring, MD

• People's Community Baptist Church

  St. Louis, MO

• New Life in Christ Church

  Stonecrest, GA

• New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

  Washington, D.C.

• Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church
• Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
• Trinity Episcopal Church

  Winston-Salem, NC

• Winston-Salem State University Choir

  Other

• Gospel Music Preservation Alliance

In collaboration with leading faith leaders, NEWorks Productions is inviting congregations, choirs and organizations nationwide to join the Just Like Selma Hymn-sing Project beginning February 1, 2026. This campaign aims to mobilize congregations and community institutions in all 50 states and more than 100 cities, drawing on the historic role of houses of worship as centers of education, advocacy, and moral leadership.      

The February launch also coincides with the centennial observance of Negro History Week, now recognized as Black History Month—founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The campaign honors that legacy by linking remembrance with action, building social justice awareness and expanding voter engagement efforts rooted in the faith-based organizing model that shaped the Civil Rights Movement.

At the heart of the campaign is Just Like Selma, a new social justice hymn composed by Nolan Williams, Jr., chief music editor of the bestselling African American Heritage Hymnal.

The struggle for voting rights that defined Selma sixty years ago is not ancient history—it’s a present reality. As new generations face renewed battles over democracy, access, and equality, Just Like Selma reminds us that the courage and strategy of those who marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge remain urgently relevant. We stand at a crossroads once again, and the time to unite and act is now. 

Just Like Selma draws inspiration from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.— "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice"—and echoes the sounds of Black Church devotional songs and traditional Civil Rights anthems. 

- Each participating organizational leader must complete the short online registration form below.

- Registration ensures that your organization is officially part of this nationwide initiative and that you receive appropriate resources, updates and recognition.

- After registration, you will receive:

• Audio reference (demonstration recording)
• Sheet music (PDF)
• Suggested introduction text for use in your presentation

- These materials are provided to support preparation and presentation.

- Additional support materials are available for purchase, including:

• Video reel (to enhance your presentation of the hymn)
• Vocal stem tracks (for small ensembles and large choirs to enhance live presentation) 
• Part reference tracks (to assist singers in learning the hymn arrangement)
• Instrumental track (for acoustic guitar presentation)

NOTE: Please check your spam folder to ensure our follow-up email has not landed there.

- You may schedule to sing the hymn on any day in March 2026 that best fits your organizational calendar. 

- Please notify NEWorks of your chosen date via the follow-up form or email (new@neworks.us) so we can track and amplify your participation.

- Incorporate the hymn into your worship service or concert event.

- When introducing the hymn, please credit the hymnwriter and mention this special NEWorks initiative (sample wording provided in welcome email).

- Be intentional about engaging congregants to sing along

- Please ensure that your organization’s video team captures the hymn presentation (if your service/event is recorded or streamed).

- By participating, you grant NEWorks permission to extract and post the video segment of your organization’s hymn presentation (with proper credit) to further amplify the impact of this project.

- Have your media team release the video of the hymn presentation (in whole or in part), using the hashtags: 

• #FreedomAdvances 
• #JustLikeSelma 
• #NEWorks

- Be sure to tag us on your social media posts.

**If you have question about matters not addressed above, check our FAQ section below or email us via the contact form on this website.