Recently I did a concert with some other wonderful artists honoring African American fathers. Statistics etc.. would have one believe that the state of the African American family and consequently the African American community is in a state of dismal disrepair and those stats have been around from the time that I was young (long ago). I see what they see but i also see many responsible loving fathers and mothers taking care of thier families with all their strength and ability. I cannot help but remember my own childhood and the constant feeling of love and security in our home because of the presence of parents. I am so very glad that my children did get to know thier grandfather before he passed away and recognize his character in me (when i am at my best). Whenever you see me mentor and nurture young people in our community understand that it comes from a legacy of nurturing and mentoring established by my parents they did not just look at the 7 of us as thier children but all the children in our community as thiers. I am so thrilled as i see my own children continue that same legacy. I watch my son help to develop young songwriters and watch my daughter gather high school girls and have them spend time with her on the college campus and feel so very blessed...
The attached song "RAINBOW CHILD" also called "CARRY ON" is a song by the artist Angela Bofill that i heard many years ago and have been performing since before I was married or had children but it is very much a part of me. I sang it to my children since the time they were born..