musican Abby Dobson. 1 man playing a guitar.

Hostos was treated to a special performance and lecture by acclaimed singer-songwriter and musician, Abby Dobson, on March 30 in the Black Box Theater.

In a fitting finale to Women’s History Month, Dobson talked about the female vocal giants who inspired her, including Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, and Anita Baker. She also relayed how her own lyrics have been inspired by the words of Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, J. California Cooper, and more.

In addition to beautifully rendered jazz standards, accompanied by accomplished guitarist Wes Mingus, Dobson sang her own musical creations, such as the moving song, "Say Her Name" — a tribute to black women whose tragic stories must not be forgotten. 

Titled, “Sonic Legacies and Literary Way Makers: Coming to Voice through Letters and Song,” Dobson’s visit was both entertaining and meaningful and was the perfect ending to Hostos’ Women’s History Month celebration.

The performance was organized by Professor Jerilyn Fisher and co-sponsored by The Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique Student Success Coaching Unit provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.

Named one of the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.