I'm Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958-1981 - Louisville Story Program

In partnership with the Filson Historical Society, the Louisville Story Program presents a gospel music event to commemorate Black Music Month. Moderated by Darby Thompson, Executive Director of the Louisville Story Program, the program will feature a panel of contributors discussing their experience working on content for the book, I'm Glad About It: The Legacy of Gospel Music in Louisville, 1958-1981. This book documents the history of the communities that produced Louisville's Black gospel music. The panelists for this event are community members who provided content for the book include:

Wilma W. Clayborn is a noted gospel music historian, pianist, choir director, radio personality, and gospel music promoter. She was the CEO of Grace Gospel Music and Recording Company, a record store and record label that released recordings by many of Louisville's finest gospel artists. She serves on the national board of directors of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses Inc.

Raoul Cunningham capped a life dedicated to fighting for civil rights by serving as the President of the Louisville Branch of the NAACP from 2004 to 2024. He was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2003. For many years, he was also a church musician and youth choir director at Green Street Baptist Church.

Rev. Della Porter is a retired pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and is a member of First Congregational Methodist Church, where she is Pastor Emerita. She was deeply involved in gospel music in Louisville for many years, singing in the renowned groups The Traveling Notes and The Gospel Chanteurs and has toured with the likes of Shirley Caesar.