(ThyBlackMan.com) Dyana Williams, Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright founded Black Music Month in June 1979.  Also known as African American music Appreciation Month, it was first officially celebrated by President Jimmy Carter with a White House reception.  Carter created a platform to recognize and celebrate music, and many Black music ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) “Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored” (Proverbs 13:18) It is incredibly sad and very amazing at the same time to find out that throughout the ages some of the brightest and most evil people have coexisted in a world where no ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) Phyllis Hyman remains one of the most underappreciated yet undeniably powerful voices in the history of soul, R&B, and jazz-influenced music. Known for her unmistakable alto, emotional transparency, and commanding stage presence, Hyman carved a niche that defied industry trends. While commercial superstardom largely eluded her, her artistry has ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) However hard we try there is always a pestilential, nagging doubt that somehow we are missing the mark. It is not so much that we are second guessing ourselves about anything and everything we do or that we are not confident in our own skin. No, it seems to ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) This is the fourth time I’ve written about Sam Cooke—and fans still keep asking for more. And honestly, it makes perfect sense. Sam Cooke is one of those rare artists whose catalog runs so deep, even longtime listeners find themselves uncovering hidden treasures. His music isn’t just timeless—it’s alive. ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) President Donald Trump and many of his allies in Congress are making grand claims about the economic growth they say will result from the recently proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Trump has accused critics of not understanding the budget proposal, “especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming.” A closer ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) What is prayer? In simplest terms it is talking with God. Knowing how to pray, however, is not enough. We must learn to pray effectively. That means we must pray in such a way that we experience God’s intervention in the things we pray about. Effective prayer begets more ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) Shirley Horn was never one to chase the spotlight. Instead, she let the music whisper, sway, and ache on its own terms. A master of restraint, she redefined jazz vocal performance by doing less and saying more. Accompanying herself on the piano, Horn’s phrasing and timing could freeze time—each ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) When people think of Jimi Hendrix, they often picture the explosive stage presence, flaming guitars, and unforgettable hits like “Purple Haze” or “All Along the Watchtower.” But there’s another side to Hendrix—one that’s often overlooked. Beneath the rock icon exterior was an introspective artist, a composer of moods, and ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) When I first stumbled across Freddie Hubbard’s music, I didn’t expect it to hit so hard—emotionally, spiritually, and musically. But that’s the thing about Hubbard: his trumpet doesn’t just play notes, it tells stories. Whether you’re knee-deep in jazz already or just starting to explore the genre, Hubbard is ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) There is a term called the fog of war which was made popular following WWII. It pertained to the uncertainty of war; how often tactical decisions were made lacking the Information or intelligence required which led to uncertainty. In modern times it came to mean a covering or obscuring of truth. We ...

(ThyBlackMan.com) Many have a big problem conceiving God, but God does not have a problem defining man. Nowhere in the realm of intelligent, conclusive conceptions, not in religion, not in philosophy, and certainly not in science, is there a wholly acceptable and compelling definition of Almighty God. Maybe that is how ...