By Terri M. Bolds*
July in Cincinnati means it is Jazz Festival weekend, or Macy’s Festival or Cincinnati Music Festival time.
However you reference this undeniable great time in our city, it has been a staple since 1962 when it was originally called Ohio Valley Jazz Festival. It’s a time when some of the Black culture’s notable and talented artists visit the Queen City and have their fans in a musical frenzy for just a little while.
In a few weeks, downtown Cincinnati will be flooded with Black culture and Black people from surrounding cities and states celebrating the thing that has always brought us solace: music.
Music has healing properties. Music is calming. Music is inspirational. Music is our hype man. Music tells our stories — the good, the bad and indifferent. Music is freeing. Music is life.
Did you know music raises the serotonin and dopamine in our brains? Those are neurotransmitters responsible for elevated mood and pleasurable experiences. So basically, we are about to get a healing, a therapy session and mental break to keep us afloat, even if it is for a short time.
My favorite living artist is no stranger to our city and will grace us with her presence once again. I speak of no other than the soulful, Grammy winning, NAACP Award winning, Golden Globe nominee, “American Idol” season three winner Fantasia Barrino Taylor.
Not only am I a fan, but I’m also a ‘fan fan.’ So much so, I almost missed my surprise graduation party during the finale week in May 2004.
My friends knew when “American Idol” was on, nothing else mattered. One of them was trying hard to get me to their apartment. I was not an easy sell.
I needed to focus, especially during finale week. I finally agreed, and when I got to the apartment, surprise, they had chosen to have a surprise graduation party for all of us who would walk the stage and receive our bachelor’s degree just a few days later.
I mean that is a big deal — right? I was so grateful, overwhelmed and happy. They had food, music and a great set up; it was nice.
After saying thank you, I sat on the floor at their coffee table with my food, in front of the TV, so I could watch what I prayed was going to be a victory for “my girl.”
I socialized a little bit, but not too much because I needed to hear the program. As a mental health therapist, I look for inspiration in the least likely places. From the way a falling tree soars in the air, to the way rain hits the window, to the visible excitement of a child’s eyes when they experience their favorite person, Fantasia has been an inspiration even beyond 2004. She had no clue God was molding her to inspire more than High Point, North Carolina. Her story was much bigger than the small town from which she came.
Fantasia’s voice is vocal praise. Her voice is a cry of gratitude, brilliantly illuminating God’s grace and mercy over her life.
The world has scrutinized her from the moment she walked into the “American Idol” audition. She started the audition singing, Lauryn Hill’s “Killing Me Softly,” and at the judges’ request of a second song she solidified her spot with a few lines of one of Tina Turner’s most notable hits, “Proud Mary.” It was at that moment, the infamous Simon Cowell said, “I actually think you’re one of the best we’ve ever had.”
And her time on Idol proved his words to be true. Who can forget the moment when she sat on the floor in an orange dress singing “Summertime,” from the controversial opera written in the 1930s.
One of my favorite performances was when she returned to Idol to sing “Lose to Win” in all white, looking godly. Looking like the mercy and grace of God was shining on her.
Most recently in her stellar performance in “The Color Purple” movie, re-imagined, when she sang, “I am Here,” she was speaking beyond the lyrics. She was unlearning her hurts and speaking against the deconstructive voices that tore her down. She sang against the abuse, the betrayal and the loss. She spoke to every woman who feels stuck and worthless.
One thing the world doesn’t consider is the true life of a celebrity. Optics, supposedly everyone’s fantasy life, is what fans use as motivation; but fame, success and accomplishments can be to one’s demise.
Fantasia’s journey is God-breathed, and she makes no qualms about her faith. She is very open about her life. Many think she over shares, and I get the same mumbling about my platform.
To that I say, how will people know God, if no one talks about him? How would people know there was a man who talked to the woman at a well, even with all her discretions being known? How would people know about how God helped one get over?
I believe every experience is a lesson, a tool or vessel to glorify God. That’s called a testimony. So, if people keep secrets, not only does God not get the glory, but that person wondering if he or she is worthy might miss the opportunity to know we all fall short, EXCEPT GOD … I am a Christian and mental health therapist. I believe in the power of prayer, the word of God and the science of psychology.
Fantasia’s life continues to be a testament to the realness of the healing journey. These are some points I want to share of how she has not only been an inspiration, but a Bold Testimony:
Believer. She believed there was more to come. She didn’t allow herself to succumb to her trials and tribulations of life. She believed in the promises of God — Psalms 37:40.
Omnipresent. She knew no matter what was happening to her, God was always there.
She knew her outcomes could be different and would be one day. She understood she always had a choice to believe and how to carry herself, despite what she was going through. God is always watching; he’s always there, and in many ways that was a comfort even in her storms.
Live. She has continued to live her life, as difficult as it may have seemed. Part of the fight to live is continuing to live, continuing to find new ways to go on. It’s the walk of Job. Even with her losses, she lived and never cursed God.
Do-She is doing the work. Healing is a journey not a one and done. She has had to work for self-awareness and understanding her experiences and how they have influenced her choices.
Fantasia did an interview with CNN. The interviewer said people expected her to be the biggest “American Idol” winner ever and asked if her career was a disappointment because it was not as big as projected. Her response was this, “I’m not disappointed at all because my time’s not up, baby. I’m only 25 years old, and I don’t plan on going anywhere, anytime soon,” and I for one am so glad she didn’t give up.
*Terri M. Bolds Wilkinson-Hill, MS, LPC
Bold Visions Consulting, LLC, IG: Visionsbold, boldcounselor3@gmail.com
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary piece do not necessarily the express the opinions of The Cincinnati Herald.