Photo by Evan Bevins

(Photo by Evan Bevins) Students in the Belpre Elementary School gifted program join members of the Zion Baptist Church choir doing the motions and singing “Father Abraham” during a program Thursday at the Parkersburg church focusing on African American spirituals and history, including slavery and the Underground Railroad.

(Photo by Evan Bevins) Zion Baptist Church Pastor Lisa Grays, right, leads choir members in singing “Oh Freedom!” during a program for students in the Belpre Elementary gifted program Thursday morning at the Parkersburg church. Grays, who is also a teacher at Belpre High School, linked the songs to American history and slaves’ efforts to escape to freedom in the North in the 19th century. It was part of the students’ focus this month on African American music in light of Martin Luither King Jr. Day earlier this week and Black History Month in February.

(Photo by Evan Bevins) Students in the Belpre Elementary School gifted program were invited to don stoles made from kente cloth and become honorary members of the Zion Baptist Church choir during a program Thursday at the Parkersburg church focusing on African American spirituals and history, including slavery and the Underground Railroad.

(Photo by Evan Bevins) Students in the Belpre Elementary School gifted program don stoles made from kente cloth to become honorary members of the Zion Baptist Church choir during a program Thursday at the Parkersburg church focusing on African American spirituals and history, including slavery and the Underground Railroad.

Photo by Evan Bevins Zion Baptist Church Pastor Lisa Grays leads members of the choir and students in the Belpre Elementary School gifted program in singing and performing the motions of the song “Father Abraham” Thursday morning at the Parkersburg church. Grays, who is also a teacher at Belpre High School, linked the songs to American history and slaves’ efforts to escape to freedom in the North in the 19th century. It was part of the students’ focus this month on African American music in light of Martin Luither King Jr. Day earlier this week and Black History Month in February.

(Photo provided) Belpre Elementary School students and teachers pose for a photo with members of the choir at Zion Baptist Church in Parkersburg Thursday following a program where kids in the school’s gifted program learned about African American spirituals and their connections to culture and history.