Click below to make a credit card donation to support future programming of Motor City Sings, including Boa Me: A Community Songwriting Project
Boa Me: A Community Songwriting Project is our newest and most ambitious program to date. “BOA ME” is an abbreviation of the West African Adinkra Symbol/Phrase “BOA ME NAA ME MOA WOA” which translates to mean "Help Me, and Let Me Help You". Within Boa Me, three musical collectives composed of a singer/songwriter, music producer, and mental health professional served as facilitators/observers of focus groups composed of Black Detroiters ages 18 and up. Within the focus groups, community participants were asked questions such as:
After the focus groups, our musical collectives coded the collected data to then use the findings as source material to produce new music that was debuted at a public concert celebration on Saturday September 10th, the final day of National Suicide Prevention Week. Through Boa Me, our efforts are to connect the Black community to manifest collective power for healing ourselves from both systemic trauma as well as grief brought on by the current pandemic and social isolation.
- "What has been your greatest challenge in the pandemic?"
- "In what ways have you experienced joy in the last 2 years while navigating the pandemic?"
- "What would you say you’ve learned the most about yourself while processing grief in the pandemic?"
After the focus groups, our musical collectives coded the collected data to then use the findings as source material to produce new music that was debuted at a public concert celebration on Saturday September 10th, the final day of National Suicide Prevention Week. Through Boa Me, our efforts are to connect the Black community to manifest collective power for healing ourselves from both systemic trauma as well as grief brought on by the current pandemic and social isolation.
Over 40 artists applied to join this year’s program for one of the commissioned roles to make music in a collective. This year’s selected artists are:
Angela Davis, a native Detroit vocalist and songwriter who has shared stages with The Temptations, Damien Escobar, and Regina Bell. Angela has been the featured singer at The Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, The Ford Fireworks, and America's Thanksgiving Parade.
James Shelton, an international pianist, producer, and music director, who has worked with Alexander O’Neal, Angela Winbush, and The Clark Sisters.
Dr. Monique Tucker is a clinical psychologist in private practice who uses various strategies to encourage personal growth through the transformation of the mind. She is passionate and committed to helping others gain wisdom to achieve success beyond their own strength.
James Shelton, an international pianist, producer, and music director, who has worked with Alexander O’Neal, Angela Winbush, and The Clark Sisters.
Dr. Monique Tucker is a clinical psychologist in private practice who uses various strategies to encourage personal growth through the transformation of the mind. She is passionate and committed to helping others gain wisdom to achieve success beyond their own strength.
CHECK OUT MUSIC FROM COLLECTIVE #1 BELOW
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gracesgreatgrandson, a medaled U.S. Army combat veteran and grandson to the late Pervis Jackson of The Spinners. His approach to music is a mesh of soul, rock, jazz/blues, and funk alternative.
Hir-O, a Detroit based producer, who blends hip-hop, and electronic music through an Afrofuturist lens. Hir-O has worked with Kazzy The Gypsy, Sheffy McFly and many more.
Wanda Olugbala is Licensed Master of Social Work, Associate Clinical Social Worker, and Social Service Worker with nearly 3 decades as a helping professional. She is the proprietor and founder of That Social Work Lady; a Black Woman Owned enterprise focused on supporting the authentic healing of community helpers by giving them the tools to wage their personal revolution for self care.
Hir-O, a Detroit based producer, who blends hip-hop, and electronic music through an Afrofuturist lens. Hir-O has worked with Kazzy The Gypsy, Sheffy McFly and many more.
Wanda Olugbala is Licensed Master of Social Work, Associate Clinical Social Worker, and Social Service Worker with nearly 3 decades as a helping professional. She is the proprietor and founder of That Social Work Lady; a Black Woman Owned enterprise focused on supporting the authentic healing of community helpers by giving them the tools to wage their personal revolution for self care.
CHECK OUT MUSIC FROM COLLECTIVE #2 BELOW
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Larry Duren, a Detroit based, studio and live recording background vocalist. Larry has sang background for Dorinda Clark-Cole, L’Renee, and many more.
Jason ‘Jazz’ Lugo, a music maker who describes his production style as Hip Hop soul with a dash of “yes yes y’all!”
Brittany Lewis LCMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her Bachelors degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Brittany’s work experiences include providing therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families. As well as group therapy, individual, and couples counseling.
Jason ‘Jazz’ Lugo, a music maker who describes his production style as Hip Hop soul with a dash of “yes yes y’all!”
Brittany Lewis LCMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who earned her Bachelors degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Brittany’s work experiences include providing therapy for children, adolescents, adults and families. As well as group therapy, individual, and couples counseling.
CHECK OUT MUSIC FROM COLLECTIVE #3 BELOW
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BONUS SONG:
Boa Me Theme Song
Boa Me Theme Song
“Boa Me” is an abbreviation of the West African adinkra symbol BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO, which translates to English as “Help Me, and Let Me Help You”. The symbol encompasses the principles of healthy interdependence, connection, and healing.
The overall goal of this project has been tp help Detroiters, (and specifically black Detroiters) reconnect and create agency as we develop new music that encompasses the shared sentiments, stories, and emotions of surviving a global pandemic.
This project ran over the course of 5 months from May - September 2022. This provided us with the opportunity to begin the project in Mental Health Awareness Month during May and end during National Suicide Prevention Week in September.
Over the course of the entire project there have been multiple opportunities for partnership with singer/songwriters, music producers, mental health professionals, and community members.
The overall goal of this project has been tp help Detroiters, (and specifically black Detroiters) reconnect and create agency as we develop new music that encompasses the shared sentiments, stories, and emotions of surviving a global pandemic.
This project ran over the course of 5 months from May - September 2022. This provided us with the opportunity to begin the project in Mental Health Awareness Month during May and end during National Suicide Prevention Week in September.
Over the course of the entire project there have been multiple opportunities for partnership with singer/songwriters, music producers, mental health professionals, and community members.
