Historic school’s legacy honored through concert, new youth arts program & upcoming docuseries
PRESS RELEASE:
HISTORIC SCHOOL’S LEGACY HONORED THROUGH CONCERT, NEW YOUTH ARTS PROGRAM & UPCOMING DOCUSERIES
Local Performing Arts Director and Creative Parrish Rashad Headlines Event, Launches Youth Programming, and Inspires a New Generation
Lexington, TN – June 26, 2025
This Fall, a powerful convergence of history, talent, and community impact will unfold at the site of a beloved local landmark in Henderson County. The Alumni Board of the historic Montgomery School, now operating as a cultural and enrichment center in Lexington, TN, will host its Annual Gospel Concert: a tradition to raise funds for the restoration and future of the center while honoring cultural excellence and community pride.
Headlining the concert is recording artist and creative visionary Parrish Rashad, who was recently appointed as the very first Performing Arts Director of the center. Rashad returns to the very stage where he first performed at age five, now as a mentor, educator, and leader guiding the center’s new direction in youth programming.
ABOUT PARRISH RASHAD
Parrish Rashad is a multi-hyphenate creative force—recording artist/singer, model, actor, producer, and performing arts director/mentor. With deep roots in gospel and R&B, Parrish’s artistic journey spans TV/Film, music, directing/producing productions, and empowering youth through the arts. His return to the stage marks not only a comeback in music, but a personal story of healing from addiction, resilience, and purpose. Parrish has co-starred in “DreamGirls” as CC and was the costume director for “The Color Purple” at The Ned in Jackson, TN.
ABOUT THE VENUE
The concert and workshops are housed in the historic former all Black Montgomery School, now a cultural and enrichment center dedicated to education, culture, and legacy preservation. Long regarded as a cornerstone of local Black excellence, the site is being revitalized as a creative hub for new generations. This landmark is rich with legacy, it’s the very stage where Parrish first performed at 5 years old. Today, it stands as a symbol of community pride, resilience, and cultural preservation. “We are breathing fresh life back into this Historic place,” says Parrish.
The Montgomery Cultural and Enrichment Center was born from the resilience and vision of Lexington’s inner-city Black community. What began in the 1920s as the Lexington Colored School evolved through faith, family, and fierce dedication into Montgomery High School; a cornerstone of education, cultural pride, and opportunity.
Built between 1948 and 1950 with support from local families and Rosenwald funding, the school opened its doors as Montgomery High, serving Black students during segregation with dignity, academic excellence, and soul. It was more than a school, it was a village.
Over the years, this sacred space transformed again, growing from a place of learning into a beacon of legacy. Today, the Montgomery Cultural and Enrichment Center honors the elders who planted seeds of wisdom and the youth who now walk in their footsteps. This is not just history. It is a living story, still unfolding.
Visit our brand-new website: https://www.montgomeryalumni.org/
THE CONCERT: “Harmonies of Hope: Restoring the Legacy”
The annual concert will feature powerful performances featuring local vocalists from Jackson, TN, legacy honors, and a showcase of artistic excellence. Rashad’s performance marks a symbolic full-circle moment: from dreamer to rising star to steward of the arts. “Harmonies of Hope: Restoring the Legacy” is a live gospel concert event that brings Parrish home, featuring special guest performances, spiritual storytelling, and a tribute to legacy. The event will be filmed as part of a new reality series by PPOD MEDIA and will also spotlight a young performer making her debut under Parrish’s mentorship.
“To come back to the same stage that shaped me, and now help shape the next generation, is beyond meaningful,” says Parrish Rashad.
THE PROGRAM: YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS WORKSHOPS
THE TALENT WITHIN PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM
As Performing Arts Director, Rashad will launch a series of four-week youth intensives starting this fall, designed to uplift, cultivate, and develop young voices and talents in:
– Modeling – confidence, runway, and presentation
– Acting – performance, improv, and storytelling
– Vocal/Music – technique, vocal expression, and stage presence
– Leadership & Personal Development – self-esteem, communication, and life skills
These workshops are more than arts training; they’re a safe, creative space for self-expression, confidence building, communication/leadership skills, and community engagement. With the decline in arts programming across schools, this initiative is timely and necessary. Plus, we’re filming behind-the-scenes content for a new reality docu series spotlighting student growth and local talent
Workshops will culminate in live showcases and community engagement events. Enrollment will be open to youth and young adults, with scholarship and portfolio-building opportunities.
THE DOCUSERIES: CAPTURED BY PPOD MEDIA
Rashad’s journey, both personal and professional; is being documented for two upcoming reality mini-series produced by PPOD MEDIA: A Parrish Rashad Company:
– “Full Circle: Back to the Stage” chronicles the concert experience, Parrish’s personal journey, recovery from addiction, featuring vocalist from Jackson, TN, emotional reflections, and a special young performer’s debut.
– “From the Ground Up: The Talent Within” follows youth workshop participants as they grow, train, and prepare for their final showcase.
PPOD MEDIA focuses on stories of purpose, creativity, resilience, triumph and community transformation through a culturally grounded lens.
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