Q: The title Dream Lives is powerful and intentional. What does it mean to you personally, and how does this year’s event bring that dream to life for the Columbus community?
AZ: For me, Dream Lives means the work did not end with the dreamers who came before us. It means the promise of justice, equity, and recognition is still alive—still breathing—and still demanding action, especially through culture.
Personally, Dream Lives represents my commitment to turning ideals into institutions. In Columbus, Georgia, it reflects how I have used music and the arts not just as expression, but as tools for justice and empowerment. Through the founding of the Music and Entertainment Council, I helped create a table where voices long overlooked could finally be heard. Through MaFest, we transformed the celebration of Ma Rainey from written history into visibility, opportunity, and a vision of Columbus as a destination city honoring the Mother of the Blues. Through the Georgia Broadcasting and Music Legend Awards—alongside Senator Ed Harbison—we ensured that legacy, excellence, and contribution are honored, not erased.
Dream Lives means:
- Justice is not abstract—it is cultural.
- Art is not just entertainment—it is testimony.
- Recognition is a form of equity.
- Community uplift is a responsibility, not a trend.
It also affirms that Dr. King’s vision is not a memory—it is a mandate. The Dream Lives Choir was created to give voice to hope, unity, love, and justice right here in Columbus. Each year, the event brings people together across differences to renew our collective commitment to fairness, dignity, and shared humanity…