On January 26, 1948, Marian Anderson, the world-renowned African American contralto, performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, becoming the first Black singer to appear at the prestigious opera house. This was a groundbreaking moment for African Americans in classical music and a milestone in the fight for racial equality in the arts. Marian Anderson had already faced […]
On this day
Daily Devotion – January 26, 2026
Moving Through Fear Scripture References: 1. Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 2. 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power […]
On this Day
On this day, as we close our celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we pause to honor a man whose voice shaped the soul of the movement — Howard Thurman. Howard Thurman was a theologian, mystic, and spiritual teacher — and he was one of Dr. King’s most influential mentors. Long before marches filled the streets, Thurman was teaching […]
Daily Devotion – January 25, 2026
Anchored in Peace Scripture References John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Philippians 4:6–7 – “Do not be anxious about anything… And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard […]
I Survived the Battle: Kathleen Battle and the Lessons of Greatness
Kathleen Battle’s voice is unforgettable. A lyric soprano of extraordinary clarity, she performed on the world’s most prestigious stages — from the Metropolitan Opera in New York to La Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera House in London. Along the way, she earned five Grammy Awards and the National Medal of Arts in 1991, cementing her place in classical […]
On This Day in Black History – January 24
“Today on Mood Morning, we celebrate the enduring brilliance of Dr. Benjamin Banneker, the self-taught African-American mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor. Banneker’s groundbreaking work, including his precise almanacs and contributions to the survey of Washington, D.C., reminds us how one mind can shape a nation’s future. Stay with us as we honor his legacy and explore the stories of Black innovators […]
Daily Devotion – January 24, 2026
Choosing Joy: Living in God’s Light Scripture References: 1. Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” 2. Nehemiah 8:10 – “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 3. Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; […]
Before Representation Was a Buzzword, Michiko & Hatchin Got It Right
In 2008, an anime quietly broke rules most Western media was still afraid to touch. Michiko & Hatchin centered Black women—not as symbols, not as sidekicks—but as complex, fully human characters. Set in a fictional world inspired by Brazil, the story follows Michiko Malandro, bold and unpredictable, and Hatchin, a young girl searching for belonging in a world that keeps […]
Delroy Lindo at 73: A Lifetime of Craft Leads to an Oscar Nomination
At 73, Delroy Lindo is reminding the world that age is no barrier to brilliance. This year, the veteran actor earned an Oscar nomination — a crowning moment in a career that spans decades and continents, from the stages of London theater to Hollywood’s most iconic films. Born in London in 1952 and raised in Chicago, Lindo’s path to Hollywood […]
I Couldn’t Help But Wonder… Who Takes Care of the Caregivers?
I Couldn’t Help But Wonder… Who Takes Care of the Caregivers? I was on my way past Mount Sinai when I noticed something unusual—not the sirens, not the stretchers, not the rush we’ve all come to expect from a New York hospital—but nurses standing still. Outside. Together. Holding signs instead of charts. And I couldn’t help but wonder: what happens […]