Moments That Matter: Intention, Ministry, and Full Circle

The past season of performances has reminded me that the most powerful moments on stage are rarely accidental. They are intentional, prayerful, and deeply rooted in purpose.

Sacred Ministry Moments at Washington National Cathedral

In a weekend marked by violence, loss, and deeply troubling headlines from around the world, these moments of music feel especially sacred today – offered not as escape, but as a space for prayer, reflection, and collective breath.

At Washington National Cathedral, I had the profound honor of singing “Center of My Joy” by Richard Smallwood on his birthday, November 30, 2025. I was later told that he was watching the service virtually. To offer that song on that day, knowing the composer himself may have been listening, was humbling and deeply emotional. It felt like singing inside a living legacy.

Another full-circle moment came through “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.” This is a song I was first introduced to, and first sang at Ebenezer Baptist Church. To now continue being asked to sing it, this time at Washington National Cathedral, feels like quiet confirmation. The same song. A different sacred space. The same calling, still unfolding.

Eddie’s Attic: A Planned Surprise, A Shared Message

While these moments unfolded in sacred space, another equally meaningful chapter of this season took place in a more intimate setting.

My recent show at Eddie’s Attic was truly special – not only because the room was full of warmth and good energy, but because my family was there. I was deeply honored to share the stage with them, as well as my musical colleague and friend Emorja Roberson, a fellow Bass-Baritone, whose presence added depth, brotherhood, and musical richness to the moment.

I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge my friends and music collaborators Téja Veal, Keith Williams Jr., and Kris Goodall, whose musicianship, sensitivity, and shared commitment to the music continue to shape these moments on stage. While not every performance looks the same, their artistry and trust are an essential part of the musical language that makes this work possible.

Together, we offered “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, channeling Aretha Franklin–style soul with a Melvin Kindall Myles sensibility – rooted, expansive, and expressive. It was one of those moments where preparation met presence, and the room felt it.

Where It All Began: Family, Gospel, and the Delta

The moment was designed to be both joyful and meaningful – a reminder to always be prepared, and that music can carry conviction as well as love. What my family didn’t know was that I had planned something just for them.

I invited my family to join me on stage – without telling them in advance – and carefully selected the song for the moment.

The lyrics we sang say:

“There’s no need of standing up for the right,
unless you’re going to stand up against the wrong.
Tell me how you’re ever going to stop being weak,
unless you make your mind up to be strong.
You got to do right, walk in the light,
and it won’t be long.”

Those words matter to me. They speak to integrity, courage, and choosing light even when it costs something. To sing them with my family beside me, our voices blending, hearts open, was powerful beyond words.

I don’t take lightly what it meant to share that moment with my family. We were raised in Gospel music in the Mississippi Delta, where song was never just performance; it was testimony, survival, and prayer. Those roots shaped how we listen, how we harmonize, and how we understand music as something meant to serve a higher purpose.

To stand together on a stage years later, in a different setting, carrying those same musical and spiritual foundations, felt like honoring where we come from while affirming where the journey continues to lead.

Looking Ahead to 2026

These experiences, intentional artistry, family shared in purpose, and ministry grounded in sacred tradition, have left me deeply grateful.

Alongside these recent performances, I continue to develop projects that live at the intersection of music, ministry, and storytelling; work that is rooted in healing, truth, and shared humanity. Some of what’s coming will unfold on stage, some in sacred spaces, and some through new creative formats.

As I look toward 2026, I remain open, expectant, and deeply committed to following the work where it leads.

The journey continues.

To stay connected with upcoming performances, projects, and moments along the way, visit this space or follow along on social media.