There are moments in live music when something magical happens—when individual voices become something greater, when separate worlds collide and create beauty. June 18th at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center was one of those moments.
The Clark Sisters brought five decades of gospel mastery to Project Unity’s fifth annual “Together We Sing” fundraiser, their legendary harmonies lifting the symphony hall into something approaching the sacred. Twinkie, Dorinda, Karen, and Jacky took the stage with the quiet confidence of women who have spent their lives moving souls, and for two hours, they did exactly that.
The classical strings didn’t compete with gospel royalty—they embraced it. The result was transcendent, each violin bow stroke supporting voices that have comforted congregations and inspired generations. Orchestral swells carrying familiar melodies into uncharted territory while honoring its roots, pure harmony.
Maestro Leon Lacey, who has conducted for Beyoncé and Usher, guided the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and 200-voice Unity Choir through arrangements that required both technical precision and spiritual sensitivity. The choir, drawn from churches across the metroplex, filled every corner of the hall with sound that ranged from hushed reverence to joyful thunder. When they joined the Clark Sisters for the evening’s climactic moments, the walls seemed to disappear.
The evening carried extra weight through its tribute to Shaun Martin, the Dallas-born jazz innovator whose death in 2023 left a hole in the city’s musical heart. In a venue where he once performed, his spirit felt present in every collaborative moment.
Dr. Linda Hall-Searight received recognition for her lifelong contributions to gospel music, her acknowledgment adding another layer of honor to an evening already rich with musical heritage. The crowd included Dallas music luminaries like American Idol‘s Canaan James Hill and soul singer Tommye Young-West, their presence reflecting the event’s ability to draw together the city’s diverse creative community.
But this was more than a concert—it was a manifestation of founder Richie Butler’s vision for Project Unity. His organization operates as a collaborative movement among Dallas-area religious, business, civic, philanthropic, grassroots and government organizations, built on the faith-driven belief that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Through dialogue, community-building events, education, and empowerment initiatives centered on the theme “Together We,” Project Unity has become a powerful force for connection in North Texas.
“Together We Sing is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of cultural richness, faith, and the unifying power of music,” Butler explained.
Anchoring the musical celebration were the Unity Awards, recognizing leaders and organizations creating real change across Dallas. The 2025 honorees included:
Corporate Unity Award
· Activism Award-Texas Health Resources
· Advocate Award-Williams Chicken
Organization Unity Award
· Activism Award-North Texas Commission
· Advocate Award-The Meadows Foundation
· Legacy Award-Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Individual Unity Award
· Activism Award-Almas Muscatwalla
· Advocate Award-Timothy Powers
· Legacy Award-Dr. Michael Hinojosa
The Distinguished Trailblazer Award was presented to 95th Linz Award recipient, Roland G. Parrish
This partnership between Project Unity and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has produced multiple collaborations since 2019, including a powerful 2020 Unity Concert honoring victims of racial violence. Each event builds on Butler’s conviction that music can create space for healing and connection.
As the evening concluded with every voice—Clark Sisters, symphony, choir, and audience—joining in harmony, something beautiful became clear. In a world that often feels fractured, gatherings like “Together We Sing” prove that unity isn’t just an ideal—it’s a choice communities can make when they decide to lift their voices together.
The success of this fifth annual fundraiser ensures Project Unity can continue building bridges across Dallas, one note at a time.
Gallery Photo Credit: Chloethecr8tive
