These African-American girls are learning how to sing their way to a more empowered life

Many times, in the after-school hours at most community centers, the sounds you usually hear are the squeaking of rubber soles and the pounding of basketballs on pine gymnasium floors.

But twice a week at Bickford Community Center, you’ll hear soothing sounds. Soothing not just to the ears of onlookers, but to the lives of the girls creating them.

The girls, around 50 of them, are part of a choir organized by AngelStreet, a nonprofit organization that uses music as a conduit for mentoring African-American girls in North Memphis, where youths are more likely to get an education in the ways of the streets than in the ways of the arts.

Recently the girls, ages 8 to 18, cast off their backpacks and their inhibitions to launch into a rendition of “We Are the Light,” an inspirational song. Chick-A-Boom popcorn snacks and water awaited them for whenever they finished nailing the last notes.

“What’s unique about AngelStreet is its all-female focus,” said Jill Dyson, executive director and founder of AngelStreet. “Most of these gymnasiums and activities centers really are male focused with all the game play, so this really is a neat creative space that doesn’t exist.

“So, we are filling a void.”

The organization is filling more than just that.

For girls like Terrian Bass, 20, a North Memphis native who appeared on “American Idol,” and who is currently working on a musical career, being a part of AngelStreet helped her to hone her skills. She was one of the organization’s first students when it began in 2013.

“Terrian came to us during the first season of AngelStreet and she’s been involved ever since,” Dyson said. “What it shows the girls is that the sky is the limit.”

And for Jocelyn Clayton, 9, singing in the AngelStreet choir gives her a chance to use singing to learn about herself.

“I love to sing, because this is a great group for little girls to come out and show their talent,” Jocelyn said. “This is my second year here. My favorite song is ‘Carry the Light.’ It has great words in it, and I like it, and it’s telling me to carry the light and follow my dreams.”

Jocelyn’s enthusiasm is exactly what Dyson is aiming for.

While singing gets the girls into the choir — they must pass an audition to join — the focus is to boost their esteem and to help them realize their purpose, she said.

AngelStreet does that not only by having the girls perform throughout the city at places …

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