- November 28, 2024
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Gerri Wright-Gibson will never forget being 12 years old and attending the New York City Opera.
"It was a pivotal moment for me," she said. "I felt like I was coming into my own as an independent thinking person. My mom exposed me to a lot of different music growing up, but I always loved classical."
While her career was in social work as a licensed clinical social worker in New York, she maintained that love for music her whole life, and wanted to do more with it when she moved down to Ormond Beach. She got involved with the Daytona Beach Symphony Guild four years ago, and never thought that she would eventually become their first African American president.
"I'm extremely honored," she said. "I see this as a privilege and not something I take lightly."
For over 60 years, the guild has had primarily white presidents, and Wright-Gibson believes that's only because there are not a lot of African American members due to a lack of awareness in the community.
"We're trying to figure out why," she said. "It's a multi-layered question, but my hope is that the fact that I'm here and in a leadership role that is visible, will encourage more African Americans who enjoy classical music to join."
Visit new.dbss.org for more information.
Upcoming events
MAY 25
Ultimate Pampering
2 p.m. at Daytona International Wellness Center, 211 E. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Visit new.dbss.org.
