Benjamin Mertz was born in Hackensack, NJ, and has lived in California's SF Bay Area since 2008. He is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (BECI), on the board of directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, and the founder/director of the Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers.
Benjamin is a composer, performer, and song leader who specializes in music of the Black Spiritual tradition. He can often be found leading songs at benefit concerts, vigils, protest actions, sacred services, and workshops. Benjamin's most recent album of Black Spiritual music, called "Climbing Up the Mountain," which will be available on this website shortly.
Benjamin is a human rights and racial justice activist. When not performing music, he writes and speaks on issues of racial justice, economic justice, Black History, and works on creating interfaith and interracial alliances.
Benjamin lives in Richmond, CA.
​
​
​
Follow on social media:
