Thomas A. Dorsey (1899-1993)

Thomas A. Dorsey, known as The Father Of Gospel Music had two careers: composer of religious gospel songs, and a low down blues performer.

In 1908, the Thomas moved to Atlanta where he was exposed to all kind of secular music, including the urban blues of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. He grew up in Villa Rica, Georgia, in the musical wealth of the black church where his father was a preacher.

By 12 years old, Dorsey was a piano genius and in his late teens he went on his quest to the North; settling in Chicago in 1916. Thomas Dorsey studied music at Chicago's College of Composition, where he continued arranging while making music. Songs he was most famous for are, "If you don't believe I'm leaving, count the days until I'm gone", and gospel hymn "If I don't get there".

Dorsey gave his heart to Jesus a long time ago by promising not to sing urban blues, but the real money was in secular music so he stayed. Before long he worked with a band called, "The Whispering Syncopators".

Jazz musician Joe "King" Oliver recorded Dorsey's composition "Riverside Blues", which became his first single. The next two years he worked with legendary blues singer, Ma Rainey and the Wild Cat Jazz Band. Dorsey went on to write sexually suggestive songs titled, "Pat My Bread" and "It's Tight Like That" which sold 7 million copies.

When Dorsey was done with his tour, he settled back home and wrote a song that was inspired by the death of his wife and infant child. The song became nationally known as, "Precious Lord Take My hand".

In 1933, Dorsey co-founded the "National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses", therefore establishing the first Black gospel music publishing company named, "Dorsey House of Music". 

After the death of his family Dorsey, only composed religious songs for the rest of his life. He eventually married again and fathered another child. He continued his life of writing and promoting gospel music, until his death at the age of 93 years old.

Thank you Thomas A. Dorsey for your creative style and brilliant mind. You left a legacy of timeless songs still being heard in the 21st century. 

Question: Do you think the Black Church still has a strong influence on the music of certain Black artist's?

2008 LA

Unshackled

"There is in this world no such force, as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained.”
~ W.E.B. Du Bois ~ 


Moments in life aren't to be feared, they're to be conquered. Growing up life seemed to be as easy as breathing air, but when you become older and experiences become more prevalent, it's easy to see how self-doubt can settle in.

Children are usually less fearful than adults, as their little minds haven't caught up with the rest of their bodies in understanding all the complexities of the world. This in turn allows children to dream their biggest dreams, and more often then not, little ones know exactly what they want to be in life -- because their natural talents can shine bright at an early age. With age comes wisdom which makes you aware of your limitations, which doesn't make your big dreams seem smaller but instead inconceivable. 

As a result, we can limit ourselves due to the power of negative thoughts; and why? Because the funds aren't in place for college so why even apply; not knowing that you could easily qualify for grants and/or scholarships? Or is it our insecurities that make us feel that there is no hope, therefore, no effort should be put into it?

What was your passion when you were a kid? Was it playing basketball, singing, acting, writing, playing doctor, drawing? 

9x out of 10, what you loved doing then is exactly what you love doing now. You were able to tap into you talents at an early age, so when you became older you'd be well on your way. 

For many limited means is what holds us back; but let me tell you something money can't stop your voice from being heard if you're a singer, actress, teacher, or motivational speaker. Money can't stop your fingers from moving if you're a writer, photographer, or painter. And money sure can't stop you from being creative and intellectual to the best of your ability.

Yes, having money would make some things a lot easier, but having your natural gifts are priceless and is something that can be used to touch the world. So concentrate on your gifts and as they mature, watch yourself bloom like the flower you are.

2008 LA

Josephine Baker (1906-1975)

Growing up Josephine Baker always dreamed about the glamour of theater. Living in the slums of St. Louis made her obstacles seem harder to overcome, especially being pulled out of school before she was ten years old -- but she harboured the talent and courage to follow her dreams.

Baker joined a traveling dance troupe when she was 16 years old. In 1923, she earned a spot in the Broadway show "Shuffle Along". Then two years later in Paris she starred in, "La Revue Negre".

Paris loved Baker and she loved Paris in return, as she was often known for her exotic prowess, stage presence, voluptuous body, deep red lipstick, and her outrageous personality.

The talented dancer was rooted in politics, and found herself taking courageous stands against racism. She received the "Medal of the Resistance" and the "Legion of Honor" awards for her activism efforts.

2008 LA

Daniel A.P. Murray (1852-1925)

Daniel A. P. Murray was a librarian, historian, and businessman. Murray believed that "the true test of progress of a people is to be found in their literature."

He decided he wanted to do his part to preserve the written record of African American voices, so they wouldn't be lost among main stream American history.

Murray began his mission of devoting his life to collecting and documenting Black literature. He was employed by the Library of Congress, and there he developed his professional skills as a scholar and bibliographer.

A main office duty of Murray's was to secure a copy of every book and pamphlet in existence by a Black author, to exhibit at the Paris Exposition in 1900. 

Because of Murray's efforts there are now over 1,500 books and pamphlets apart of the library's holdings. The information contained provides strong documentation of African American life during the fifty years following emancipation.

Thank you Daniel A. P. Murray, because of you people have access to resources which reveals truth about African American people, the horrid struggles they endured, and the lives they led.

2008 LA

Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. (1929-1968)

Martin Luther King Jr., was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family of Baptist ministers. He lead some of the most important Civil Rights campaigns in the 1950s and 1960s. 

King spoke of American democracy and used Gandhian tactics, of non-violent resistance to minimize bloodshed. He tried very hard to break the institutionalized racial segregation and fought hard to support racial equality.

In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; the youngest person to ever receive this honor. King described his life long work, "as a creative battle to end the long night of racial injustice."

King was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, where he led six thousand protesters on a march in support of sanitation workers. MLK delivered his powerful speech "I've been to the Mountaintop", the day before his assassination.

James Earl Ray (seen above), is later captured and convicted of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray denied shooting Martin Luther King Jr., leaving it as a conspiracy surrounding the government.

King's birthday is now a national holiday, and history remembers him as an important American Civil Rights leader.

Why do you think Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated? 

2008 LA

RICHARD WRIGHT (1908-1960)

Richard Wright was born on a Mississippi plantation and was the son of a farm worker. His life was marked by poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice. These experiences he put into his writings.

'Uncle Tom's Children', 'Native Son', and 'Black Boy' are just a few of Richard Wright's writings that paved the way for African American writers to express freely their experiences.

In the words of biographer Robert Felger,  

"Richard Wright is the very first writer to give the white community explanations and themes, that cut through it's prejudices and forced it to look at the reality of black life in America."

2008 LA

FREDERICK DOUGLASS (1817-1895)

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery. He was an abolitionist, author, orator, and editor who spoke eloquently before audiences in America and abroad.

Douglass edited an anti-slavery journal from 1847 to 1860, helped to organize two regiments of Massachusetts Negroes during the Civil War, and had two sons serve in the Union army.nDouglass continued pushing for civil rights when the war was over. 

In the words of Frederick Douglass, "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."

2008 LA

PHILLIS WHEATLEY (1753-1784)

Phillis Wheatley, was kidnapped from West Africa as a child and shipped to Boston on a slave ship. 

In Boston, Massachusetts, Wheatley was fortunate to grow up in comfortable circumstances as she inherited a family that treated her well and encouraged her education. Phillis published her first poems in 1767, and was fluent in Greek and Latin.

Moreover, she was highly admired in the United States and England, and was idolized by many African Americans because she was living proof of black intellectual accomplishment.

2008 LA