Today we’d like to introduce you to EMPRESS TRUTH AKINS
Hi EMPRESS TRUTH, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A descendent of abolitionists like Sojourner Truth is where I always begin my story. Music and narratives have always been our path to freedom. My mom’s family originated from farm life in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, to the metroplexes of Chicago, Illinois where her single parent father, her mother died of TB when she was 2, served in the United States military, along with my uncles. My dad’s family originated from farm life, and remains still today, in Augusta, Arkansas. My parents were farm workers up and down the West coast in 1965, ending their apple picking lifestyle in Bakersfield, California in 1967 with the birth of my oldest sibling. My dad played music on a regular basis, he played the guitar, and loved Sam Cooke; it was always part of our culture. Then, my parents moved to a small town, 2 hours South of Chicago, to be near my mother’s relatives, but still visited my father’s family in the summers, until his tragic suicide, in 1982. I faced many challenges of trauma, as well as, much freedom abroad, while my mother served in the Army, in Germany. When we returned to the US in 1989, I focused on music as a source of freedom from racism and sexism in American public schools, mostly dancing, and singing a diverse array of genres. I dropped out at 11th grade, but returned to graduate high school for my first-born son, Joshua. I hated American schools; they were very different than the military schools abroad. I continued to set aspirations for my children, by accomplishing goals that I expected of them, one day. None of my immediate family had finished college. So, I marched on through community college to San Diego State, then to UC, Irvine, UCLA, and received my teaching credential. Then, my doctoral degree in education, at GCU, to research empowerment and how to create more pathways to success for women in America that are like me, freedom minded and Black American. I believe equity in universities and colleges inspires those similar to ourselves to reach higher, and dream bigger. As my profession developed, my teaching methods opened the door for culture, healing, and restorative justice with music. I have built a practice of inclusiveness and equity in diverse classrooms in California’s most vulnerable populations. I’ve volunteered in urban programs in Central Los Angeles, California’s Men’s Jail, CDCR (state prison), community colleges, and public schools (urban 7th, 8th, 11th grade US/World History, 12th grade English/Journalism (2023) classes. Routines provided opportunities to teach community circles, that are predictable and accessible for students to activate prior knowledge, or create bridges to connect the past material and new material, through culture. Student success has come through sharing and providing opportunities for diverse perspectives, leading with student voices in the classroom through culture, through music, and through art. So, my music is made to provide a space to understand diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. Music and narratives have always been our path to freedom. So, the Trust Circle every third Sunday with ‘Music with a Positive Message’ began at a school in Mojave, then outside schools to Leimert Park. Today, my goals are to expand them to other cities like, my sister’s birth place in Bakersfield, and Fresno County.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life is filled with “trigger warnings”. So, reader be aware. There is no easy road in America for a Black woman. It has been a hard road in America with music that degenerates Black women and has violent lyrics. Our battle is against music that destroys the youth. In the beginning, rap music was to share our stories and culture, or bring awareness to issues in our communities. For example, listen to the lyrics of Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five. The lyrics were protesting against the destruction in our cities and poverty. It was our only voice because the politics were not working. Our families were being torn a part by our mothers leaving, and our men going to prison, or our sons joining gangs. My struggle was my mother divorcing my father, my father committing suicide, then being unprotected. This led to being molested by an uncle after my father died. Then, being abducted, and raped during the time abroad by military men, and a female sergeant laughing at my mother when she reports it! So, I tell you, life is a case of having strength in a Higher Power. Only God has brought me through. God is my smooth road. My songs are all about how the Most High has brought me to my place today and forever guides me. My rock and my salvation. I joined the military after my daughter’s father tried to kill me. He had a disability that made him violent. A missing piece of his brain from his father throwing him when he was only 6 months old. We all come from tragedy in this generation, because of the violence of our history in this country. But, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said long ago, “We shall overcome”. We are a mighty people. Nothing can stop us now. We have the Lord on our side. I have the Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22 forever.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wrote a few books (2016; 2020), and published my dissertation (2024) on teacher empowerment, thus far. I wanted to tell my own story in my own, “Book of Life”, like my ancestors have done, similar to Sojourner Truth. My book, 8 Degrees of Yes: My Experience with Truth, Transformation, and Healing, is in audio form and paper at Barnes and Nobles. Listen here: https://www.audible.com/pd/8-Degrees-of-Yes-Audiobook/B0BS75QPRQ
I released an album for the first time in 2023, Fulfillment of Prophecy Vol. 1 & 2, with one song Hopeton Brown, Scientist, remixed. My release had some technological mistakes that I have learned to fix for the next one around uploading and organizing music releases for all platforms with artwork. I am a teacher so I learn quickly:) I feel that as an Artist and Creator, I am most free. My favorite songs are all of them! But, my song, Chant Down Babylon, is my go to place when I need a pick my up. Check it out on Vevo, Empress Truth Akins https://youtu.be/0io4JoIJfJg?feature=shared
This song is my strength and tells the story that the road is long, and sometimes, I can get lost, but the Lord leads me back to Truth. Another song, Dayz of Old, tells the story of recent times of revolution and social movements. Listen on Amazon Music here: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CHDLL25M?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_2PjcQqqb0gTceSgM883WvEWQQ
The song Young Black Girl was poetry, turned rap and was my first release in San Diego, California. I did a few remixes with other artists, as well. The story is about me finding my identity through the confusion in America. The first verse is about me joining the US Navy, the second verse is about becoming a History Teacher and finding my own ancestors, then finding the ultimate Truth in the third verse of Galatians 5:22, the Fruit of the Spirit. I love making songs with a story. When I finish one song, God gives me another one. Look out for my new album coming out soon! Also, I just started a nonprofit to support women who are facing domestic violence, sexual violence and dating violence, our website is Speak-your-truth.org We hope to raise funds and receive a grant to open the doors. Right now, we hold community Trust Circles every 3rd Sunday.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I learned along the way is to not take anything personal because we are a reflection to someone else’s judgment. They see in me, what they see in themselves and that changes from person to person. I represent a type of people that look, sound, and have stories like me. That is power. I do not need to do anything extra. I already AM.
Pricing:
- My songs are available on many platforms. The price depends on your streaming preferences, except Itunes, I had an uploading error, so some of my songs are missing from there.
- My book is affordable at Barnes and Noble, or free with an Audible subscription
- My dissertation is available on ProQuest
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mystorycenteroftruth.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: @empress_truth7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empress.truth7/
- Twitter: @Empresstruth77
- Youtube: @SPEAKYOURTRUTH77
- Yelp: @EmpressTruth77VEVO
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0CHDLL25M
- Other: https://www.audible.com/pd/8-Degrees-of-Yes-Audiobook/B0BS75QPRQ
Image Credits
Photos in Long Beach by Betzi Learning Photography, other photos by Dr. Truth Akins
