Carolyn Sims Nesmith has an extensive history in the arts, which includes founder/director of the historic Freedom Choir of Philadelphia (FCOP). The choir was formed to represent the Philadelphia Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), (an organization whose leader was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). FCOP also participated in marches and demonstrations which eventually led to the inclusion of minority students at Girard College in Philadelphia. Other community and civic involvement included performances at Youth Study Center, Graterford Prison and Coatesville Treatment Center where the group also contributed clothes and toiletries; as well as our Annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive which fed families in need throughout the Philadelphia area. A highlight for the group was singing for the late President Nelson Mandela, when he was invited to Philadelphia to receive the Liberty Bell Medal.

The choir’s performances include: local television – the first – Mike Douglas Show, churches throughout the tri-state area; colleges; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Juneteeth; Black Family Reunion in Fairmount Park; WDAS Radio Unity Day, the Fourth of July Celebration at the Belmont Mansion  (the late Audrey Johnson Thornton, President,  named FCOP the “House Choir”); Welcome to America Events; Penn’s Landing Festivals; Odunde; Great Adventure, New Jersey; and the “Annual Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” with the Quakers of the Downingtown Friends Meeting House. The group joined the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Philadelphia Chapter, and toured as an independent choir sharing stages with Yolanda Adams; Kirk Franklin; and Donald Lawrence from Tampa Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana, Kansas City Missouri; Minnesota, Minneapolis; and Detroit, Michigan.

FCOP is unique in that it not only was a choir, but with members who included a choreographer, actors, and writers, developed performing arts productions. The group toured for ten years in an original musical written by Carolyn, with contributions from her sister, Dorothy entitled Believe.  This play was presented with rave reviews at venues that included but was not limited to: Winston-Salem State University and Greensboro Coliseum, North Carolina; Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Delaware; Atlantic City Highschool, New Jersey; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; and the Walnut Street and Prince Music Theaters; Temple and LaSalle Universities and the main stage of the historic Uptown Theatre in Philadelphia. She has also written and produced such plays as “Lost and Found”; “Heaven or Hell”; “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”; and “Reflections” – written with her Sister Dorothy – a historical journey through drama and music that highlights the origins of gospel music -this play included Philadelphia artists who represented historical gospel singers, from Mahalia Jackson to the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

In 2008, Carolyn was the Director of the successful Youth Arts in Action Program at the Prince Music Theater.  The group included a youth company that performed in the unique production, “Something’s Coming”, with outstanding sets; intricate choreography; colorful costumes; and awesome singing that mirrored a Broadway production. The play garnered the attention of officials from Philadelphia and New Jersey and local television and radio stations. The group represented various cultures and backgrounds. The Youth Arts in Actions reached across Philadelphia as these students toured public schools with the excerpts from the Festival of Plays and Something’s Coming.  The Festival of Plays was seen by over 1,000 students annually as they were bused into the Prince Music theater to see their competitive plays which spoke to their concerns.

In 2011 Carolyn founded CSN Productions. The company has presented plays, concerts, artists, and provided performing arts training for adults and children, off-site training for seniors, and space for events, rehearsals, and workshops.

Shortly thereafter, the musical, The Gate Called Straight was presented in Philadelphia with music by Bill Jolly and featured Stephanie Mills in her directorial debut.  Carolyn coached the singers and soloists; ran the singers’ rehearsals; and received accolades for her work on the project.

Under CSN, she is the founder of the Artist Collab, a group of very talented artist who are working together to provide quality instruction as well as maintain high standards in their individual artistic endeavors; and work with the collab to collectively ignite the arts in the Philadelphia community.

Carolyn understands her work is like a ministry.  People have expressed how their lives have changed through the various programs. Students have graduated from high school, one received scholarships and acceptance letters from nine colleges, against all odds; people started businesses, and some attendees expressed how they left concerts or plays lifted and inspired.