With the support of Drum Corps International, the African American Legacy Corps is moving from idea to reality.
The project, which is targeting a 2027 DCI World Championship Semifinals appearance, began as a series of conversations during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What, at that point, started as a way to reconnect and reflect on shared experiences in the activity quickly evolved into something more ambitious – an on-field celebration of African American contributions to drum corps history.
“It’s the African American Legacy Corps,” said Errick Prince, one of the corps’ founders and leaders. “We started this venture right about the time when COVID kicked in, and we started talking about how fortunate we are to be performance members and staff and instructors from the DCI activity.”
At its core, the initiative was first about honoring the remaining Hall of Fame figures — Prince noted Jim Prime, James Elvord, Ralph Hardimon, and Frank Williams — who helped shape the activity.
As conversations continued, though, the vision expanded beyond tribute. From the outset, organizers have emphasized that the effort is celebratory – and open.
“We said, ‘It would be great if we had an opportunity to get on the field and show how much we love DCI,’” Prince said, “‘and show reverence to the prior corps that existed once upon a time.’”
“It’s totally inclusionary,” he added. “It’s not exclusive.”
From there, planning began to take shape.
Organizers have since assembled a national leadership and design team, established a mission statement and begun laying the logistical groundwork for rehearsals and recruitment. Regional rehearsal sites are being explored in Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with the ensemble ultimately planning to culminate its preparation in Indianapolis ahead of the 2027 DCI World Championship events.
“We’ve got an org chart in place. We’ve got a whole mission statement,” Prince said. “We have a lot of people in place that are ready to make this thing happen.”
A key component of the production will be its historical storytelling element. Longtime historian Wayne Harris is expected to serve as a central voice in the program, helping trace the lineage of African American drum corps and the individuals who helped shape the activity across regions including the Midwest, Northeast and West Coast.
“He’s going to play a very vital role in this as an orator throughout the production, layering and taking us on an entire historical journey,” Prince said.
While rooted in paying tribute, the project is also focused on accessibility. Organizers are targeting a participant cost of approximately $450 – a deliberate effort to keep the experience attainable for performers and alumni.
Support from Drum Corps International has helped bring renewed momentum to the initiative, which was briefly tabled amid other pandemic-era challenges before being revived with a targeted 2027 timeline.
“DCI reaches the entire world,” Prince said. “We wanted something to be seen within our society that says, look at all of these different people from different demographics and everywhere, and how they come in with a focus and a dedication that’s something bigger than themselves.”
And for the ensemble’s organizers, ultimately, the goal extends beyond a single performance.
It’s about honoring legacy, amplifying powerful contributions, and ensuring those stories remain visible throughout the drum corps community.
“It started as a celebration to recognize our Hall of Famers, because they are our heroes,” Prince said. “We want to make sure we continue to give them their flowers while they’re still here.”
