Lift Every Voice And Sing 

Tomorrow I am honored to be a part of St. Louis history and black woman history. Tomorrow, I will be performing the Black National Anthem for the first black woman mayor of my city. Tomorrow my dreams come true along with the dreams of many...it’s been a long time coming.  

And to add to the spirit of St. Louis culture, my mom, an employee (graphic designer) of St. Louis City Hall for the past 30 years, created the beautiful program. She also used to sing for the mayor every year in the same hall that I will be performing in tomorrow for Mayor Tishaura’s Inauguration. I remember being a little kid, watching her bring tears to the eyes of everyone in the building as her voice rang throughout the acoustic filled hall. As I think of her story and Tishaura’s story, I realize how much this is such a full circle moment for me. Because now my voice will be doing the same, in honor of black excellence, black resilience, and black history. I am shook…