Sept 15, 1976, Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” premiered on Broadway for the first...
By Kimberly Peeler-Ringer When Aretha Franklin recorded her live “Amazing Grace” album with James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir at the New Temple...
By Andrea Plaid I’m not even sure who Rev. Jasper Williams was talking about in his eulogy. I know it wasn’t Mother Franklin. Not the...
By Candace Laughinghouse Unbreakable, unrestricted, understood by black women everywhere. A eulogy is a spoken “good word,” traditionally given at the final celebration of one...
By Crystal Rook The first rose I will give You will be the Prickly Wild Rose to commemorate the struggles, mountains, disappointments, battles, joys, freedom,...
By Aesha Adams-Roberts I first heard Aretha Franklin’s voice when I was just seven or eight-years-old, when she sang “Freeway of Love.” I’m almost certain...
By Rashod Grove With the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the world bid farewell to the greatest vocalist in the history of recorded American music....
By Kim Lett Aretha Louise Franklin invited us into her world, where she demanded “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” leaving a remarkable legacy. She, through her meaningful sounds and...
By Tiffany James Soul ties Soul touch Soul praise Soul in the midst of us Where we stand. Where we give life Where we give...
By Heather-Elizabeth Brown Queen Aretha Franklin. Her voice soars and floats, high above this world, transporting us to a place of ethereal oneness with God,...
By Rev. Hannah Hooks Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul was just that; a full grown woman of indomitable spirit and the embodiment of her...
By Nettrice Gaskins When Aretha sang, the birds, though they sang sweetly, hushed of their own accord. On August 31, the world witnessed a Celebration...
By Lyvonne “Proverbs” Picou The great elder ancestor Lucille Clifton wrote, “come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has...
By Maisha I. K. Handy I wonder if she knew. As she spun “Respect” on repeat time and time again, living vicariously through your voice. Longing...
By The Reverend Raedorah C. Stewart ©2018 On the occasion of her passing the baton to eternal womanhood Miss. Aretha. Franklin. ……….My southern sensibilities always put...
By Melanie C. Jones I first heard your voice. An indelible voice that needs no introduction. A voice that had the ability to sustain social...
By Rev. Lacette Cross So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36 (NRSV) “It ain’t necessarily so It...
By Marshata Caradine-Randall ARETHA lived, birthed, aborted, sang, played, gave ARETHA denied, forbade, led, taught, learned, was ARETHA chang’d, heal’d, mold’d, creat’d, reveal’d, contrl’d ARETHA...