Episode 57 Roosevelt Credit, vocalist, composer
Release Date: 02/04/2019
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I explore the use of the word “village” as a noun and a verb. From the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” to why we, as a country in crisis, need to “village”. We need social connectedness, safe circles, groups and villages, where we can be held and hold others. In our village and as we village, we need to create and use ‘“alternative economies”, based on mutuality and the common good. I also explain how strong communities and living with joy are forms of resistance. May we village with one another, strengthen our communities and...
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On this week’s episode, I share a personal experience of the uplifting “Wouldn’t It Be Nice If…” mindset exercise. This simple phrase is a powerful bridge to move our thoughts from what we don’t what to what we do want. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice If…” helps align our thoughts with what is in our highest interest, so the Universe has a better chance of helping us manifest what serves our highest good. When my friend Cynthia and I brainstormed and implemented the ““Wouldn’t It Be Nice If…” possibilities, it shifted our thoughts, our feelings and...
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On this week’s episode, I acknowledge the informative, inspiring Black History posts from Kimberly Jones and all I continue to learn from her. We fill the month of February honoring the Black innovators, pioneers, and trailblazers that have shaped our country. We can end the month in solidarity by joining millions of people to boycott the corruption and greed of corporations. On the last day of this month, Friday February 28th, join me in participating in the Economic Black Out refusing to shop at any major corporation: NO Walmart, NO Amazon, NO McDonalds!! Check out the show notes...
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On this week’s episode, I continue the theme of “Listen and Learn” for Black History Month. I was so grateful for the ‘moment of resistance” that Keith Boykin illuminates in his commentary of Kendrick Lamar’s incredible half time show at the Super Bowl last week. I’ve transcribed Boykin’s commentary in hopes that my listeners will further understand the symbolism, history and meaningful context of Lamar’s powerful performance. Check out the show notes for Keith Boykin’s IG account so you can regularly take in more opportunities for listening and learning. May we honor...
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On this week’s episode, as we kick off the month of February and Black History Month, I share Nikole Hannah-Jones’ poignant explanation of why people want to ban Black History. They want Black people to believe there is something wrong with them, rather than there is something wrong with our country. They don’t want people to be educated and empowered to reveal the lie of our country. With our current political chaos, I know we have to sift through a lot of lies. We are all learning how to limit how much news we take in and be intentional about the sources we trust. In this racially...
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I saved 3 quotes this past month that struck me. Without realizing it at the time, each quote lines up with my word for the year: humility. I’m grateful that humility is seeping into my consciousness and unconsciousness. Are you finding synchronicities and signs that remind you of the word you chose for the year? May you notice the ways your word of the year is showing up for you. May your word of the year seep in…so it can guide you and inspire you. Enjoy the podcast!
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Have you ever chosen a word to guide you through the year? This was the first time I’ve tried it. An inner voice popped the word HUMILITY into my mind. I’ve been thinking about humility, feeling into humility and on this week’s episode, I share some of my early reflections on the word humility. What word comes to mind for you? What word does your inner voice whisper to you for guidance and growth? Whatever your 2025 word might be, may it enlighten, uplift and inspire you. Enjoy the podcast!
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As we remember and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, I want to continue to learn about MLK and discover ways to continue his legacy in my daily life. I am struck by how much MLK had in common with Jimmy Carter. They were only four years apart in age, and even though the late President Jimmy Carter and Martin Luther King, Jr. never met each other, their philosophies were in alignment. It feels incongruent to honor MLK on the same day as Trump’s inauguration, but hold onto MLK’s words that ring truer today than ever before! “We need leaders not in love with money but in...
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On this week’s episode, I share the familiar Native American parable of the Two Wolves. You probably know the common version of a Cherokee grandfather acknowledging to his grandson that there is a battle of two wolves inside all of us, one dark and one light. The grandson asked which wolf wins and the grandfather replies “The one we feed.” As much as this version is a gentle reminder that we have a choice, we can choose to feed just the light wolf, I discovered another version of the Two Wolves story. Listen to the podcast to hear the new version, where the grandfather tells his...
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As we start off 2025, I’d like to take a moment today to acknowledge our 7 year milestone and reflect on this past year. We launched the podcast in January 2018, so here’s to completing 7 years of Enlighten! January 2025 marks the beginning of our 8th year of the podcast. Wow! In 2024, I continued to cultivate my intimacy with nature, and took great pleasure in the everyday miracles that surround us. I delight in subtle and blatant glimmers of resilience, growth and transformation both individually and collectively. Thank you, 2024 for another year of inspiring guests, personal...
info_outline For 2019's Black History Month, we are featuring 4 wonderful people, all who have a tie to my absolute favorite dance company in the world: the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Our first guest of the month sings with the Alvin Ailey gospel choir. The second is a young singer who had never seen Ailey live and came with me as my guest this past December, while the company celebrated it's 60th Anniversary - one of my greatest joys is introducing new people to this magnificent dance company. Who knows, perhaps one day she too will sing with Ailey’s gospel choir! Our 3rd guest is the percussionist for Ailey’s live band and finally we feature a spectacular Ailey dancer, who has been with the company for 26 years!
May you be inspired by Roosevelt Credit, Tahira Clayton, Gary Fritz and Matthew Rushing as we honor Black History month and the legacy and profound spirit of Alvin Ailey!
My guest today is Roosevelt Andre Credit. Roosevelt is a gifted singer, performer, conductor, arranger and music educator. Roosevelt is also one of the most enthusiastic, positive humans I have ever encountered! His large heart, deep spiritual conviction and uncanny ability to find the good in just about every person and situation, plus his natural ability to light up a room and get the party started, truly inspires me. Roo grew up in Oakland, CA, studied opera at Oregon State University, and went to Northwestern University for graduate school. Roosevelt has had a rich, varied career from the Tony Award winning Broadway production of “Showboat”, the touring company of “Porgy and Bess”, to singing in professional NYC church choirs, conducting choruses and festivals, singing with the Alvin Ailey gospel choir for the live music performances of Ailey’s signature piece “Revelations”, helping to write the music for the movie “12 Years A Slave” and appearing on John Oliver’s HBO show Last Week Tonight. Roosevelt also has recorded two of his own CDs: “Old Time Religion”and “Get On Board”.
Roo lives from a place of grace and gratitude, enjoys moments of synchronicity and connection, which delightfully appeared during our conversation, and truly is a vessel of love and light! Check out the show notes below for links to Roosevelt’s website www.rooseveltacredit.com, where you can hear his music, purchase his CDs, find a great video of Roosevelt’s hysterical embodiment of Fats Waller, singing “Your Feets Too Big”! I’ve also included links to videos of Roosevelt's appearances with a gospel choir on John Oliver’s show. “Well done good and faithful servant!!!” Enjoy the podcast!
Links:
www.rooseveltacredit.com
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - YouTube link
“Old Time Religion”