Before Avionne Steele could find a student organization, the University of Alabama Afro American Gospel Choir found her.
The daughter of a church choir leader, Avionne grew up harmonizing gospel music in her hometown of McDonough, Georgia. Gospel is more than her favorite musical genre. It’s a ministry and a chance to celebrate her faith and spread positivity in her community.
Since enrolling at The University of Alabama four years ago, gospel music has also served as a piece of home while providing a community that has fueled her personal growth. That journey began with a discovery from her mother, followed by a series of constant reminders during her freshman year.
Searching for a student organization for her daughter, Avionne’s mother stumbled upon the Afro American Gospel Choir (AAGC). Established in 1971, the choir has rich heritage on campus and appeared as a natural fit for Avionne’s interests and upbringing.
A call from mom put the choir on Avionne’s radar. Then fate pursued.
“After she told me about them, I started seeing different things about them everywhere, on flyers in the hall on my way to class,” Avionne said. “I was like, ‘Dang, I’m kind of haunted by them.’ I remember I was in the Student Center, and they were having their back-to-school concert that same day at that same time. I went there, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is really special.’”
From there, Avionne was hooked.
Since joining the AAGC during her sophomore year, the choir has been a constant in her college experience, providing both a space to celebrate success as well as an outlet to overcome adversity.
“The Afros are definitely a rock when it comes to the transition between coming into college and finding your way,” Avionne said. “Having that group of supportive people beside you is so important. Not only that, but the music, just how uplifting and encouraging it is. You never know what someone is going through. To be singing songs about continuing to fight on and not giving up, it’s very impactful for somebody dealing with academic stress or financial stress.”
For Avionne, the AAGC serves as a family away from home.
Along with the choir’s historical significance, the aspect that sets it apart from other student organizations on campus is its strong alumni base.
The AAGC’s origin began in 1971 when a group of 12 UA students looked to join a campus talent show. That spurred a 55-year musical tradition, as the group traveled around campus and the Tuscaloosa community, ministering to the community through performances.
While today’s choir consists of active UA students, the group’s founding members and alumni still maintain a presence in the organization.
“It’s like a whole bunch of aunties and uncles everywhere,” Avionne said. “They are always telling us to connect with them, to network with them. … It makes everything feel more connected. It’s as if they never left.”
The AAGC’s long-lasting heritage will be showcased on April 25, as the choir will celebrate its 55th anniversary with a concert at 4 p.m. inside Weeping Mary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The concert will be highlighted by a performance from the choir’s 12 founding members. It will also feature performances from the current choir, the reunited alumni choir and the praise dance team, His Instruments of Praise.
“We’re all very excited about that because this is the first time in a long time that the founders have come back and sung together,” Avionne said. “It’s going to be a really special event. Fifty-five years of music, praise, heritage and harmony – that’s a huge thing.”
Along with celebrating its 55th anniversary, AAGC is a finalist for the 2026 Sound Award for “Best University Gospel Choir.” The choir passed three rounds of voting and has advanced to the final top five for the category. The winner is set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Avionne will graduate in May with a degree in creative media from the College of Communication & Information Sciences. While her time in the active choir is coming to a close, she encourages anyone interested in joining the choir to join and take the next step in continuing the program’s legacy at UA. The Afro American Gospel Choir is open to all students, regardless of race or ethnicity.
“If you’re thinking about it, you should definitely try it,” Avionne said. “It’s an experience that you cannot really find at any other organization at The University of Alabama. It’s so special because not only is it for the four years that you’re here at The University of Alabama, it’s forever. You’re going to keep in contact with those alumni forever. You’re going to keep in contact with your choir members forever because we’re all so close-knit and we’re friends. We welcome anybody with open arms, and everybody is a part of our family once you’re an Afro.”
The AAGC is one of more than 650 registered student organizations at UA. The department of Student Involvement connects students with organizations and activities that align with their unique goals and passions, whether intellectual, social, recreational, cultural, or spiritual.
