` ` ' Every Voice and Sing '' was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1921 . The spiritual song is recognized as the ` ` black national anthem '' HBCU President Timothy Askew believes a national anthem for one race is racially divisive and separatist .
`` Lift Every Voice and Sing '' was written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 . The spiritual hymn is recognized as the `` black national anthem '' HBCU Professor Timothy Askew claims a national anthem for one race is racially divisive and separatist .