One thing that I love about our Waking Up In America show is that it combines a lot of different genres of music to tell one story – of experiencing something beautiful together. Each song, regardless of the musical style, has the power to move us deeply and even change us for the better. And because we sit together in the same room, it connects us to each other.
I believe the future of humanity depends on our ability and our willingness to experience this deeper connection. Music and stories help that.
Which brings me to something very important I need your help with.
You’ve heard me talk about Clemmie Greenlee…
The moment I learned about her story, I wanted it to be a book, as did everyone else I met who was working alongside her, who heard her speak at different events about sex trafficking, the mothers of kids that she helped get off the streets, or the trafficked women who, like her, were now survivors and graduates of Thistle Farms’ Magdalene Program.
But there was no book. Someone had to take the initiative and make it happen.
Clemmie’ story gives a chilling insight into the hardships of a black girl growing up in a place where, as she says, her parents failed her, the community failed her, and the system failed her (none of her teachers were concerned with her not showing up in class, and the medical staff in those times never questioned how she got wounded).
One thing that I love about our Waking Up In America show is that it combines a lot of different genres of music to tell one story – of experiencing something beautiful together. Each song, regardless of the musical style, has the power to move us deeply and even change us for the better. And because we sit together in the same room, it connects us to each other.
I believe the future of humanity depends on our ability and our willingness to experience this deeper connection. Music and stories help that.
Which brings me to something very important I need your help with.
You’ve heard me talk about Clemmie Greenlee…
The moment I learned about her story, I wanted it to be a book, as did everyone else I met who was working alongside her, who heard her speak at different events about sex trafficking, the mothers of kids that she helped get off the streets, or the trafficked women who, like her, were now survivors and graduates of Thistle Farms’ Magdalene Program.
But there was no book. Someone had to take the initiative and make it happen.
Clemmie’ story gives a chilling insight into the hardships of a black girl growing up in a place where, as she says, her parents failed her, the community failed her, and the system failed her (none of her teachers were concerned with her not showing up in class, and the medical staff in those times never questioned how she got wounded).
Her story needs to be shared; her story of how she found grace and strength to turn all of it into unconditional love, forgiveness, and passion to help others after three decades of abuse and rape, and after her own son was murdered on the streets of Nashville.
Because in today’s world, Clemmie’s solutions to fighting gun violence and sex trafficking with unconditional love are the ones that actually make a difference – one person at a time. Clemmie’s work is non-political and non-partisan. Everyone in her world is a human in need of healing.
She has helped me during my hardest times, showing me what courage and perseverance look like.
As the founder and CEO of Nashville Peacemakers, Clemmie (and her volunteers) mentor a handful of boys and girls each year, keeping them off the streets and opening different life opportunities for them.
Her Mothers Over Murder program supports way more mothers who lost their children to murder than serving the kids who might someday be a target of violence.
A book can reach a million readers whose lives will be changed. A book will grab the attention of influencers and the media, and it will spread Clemmie’s model to other areas where violence is rampant.
“If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”
This is what I think when I get scared of pulling big projects together. And this is what came to my heart like a calling I couldn’t ignore, after Clemmie recovered from her heart transplant surgery. If not now, then when? If not you, then who?
I was trying to find others to take this on, but everyone said the same thing: “I think it’s you who needs to spearhead this.”
Her story needs to be shared; her story of how she found grace and strength to turn all of it into unconditional love, forgiveness, and passion to help others after three decades of abuse and rape, and after her own son was murdered on the streets of Nashville.
Because in today’s world, Clemmie’s solutions to fighting gun violence and sex trafficking with unconditional love are the ones that actually make a difference – one person at a time. Clemmie’s work is non-political and non-partisan. Everyone in her world is a human in need of healing.
She has helped me during my hardest times, showing me what courage and perseverance look like.
As the founder and CEO of Nashville Peacemakers, Clemmie (and her volunteers) mentor a handful of boys and girls each year, keeping them off the streets and opening different life opportunities for them.
Her Mothers Over Murder program supports way more mothers who lost their children to murder than serving the kids who might someday be a target of violence.
A book can reach a million readers whose lives will be changed. A book will grab the attention of influencers and the media, and it will spread Clemmie’s model to other areas where violence is rampant.
“If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”
This is what I think when I get scared of pulling big projects together. And this is what came to my heart like a calling I couldn’t ignore, after Clemmie recovered from her heart transplant surgery. If not now, then when? If not you, then who?
I was trying to find others to take this on, but everyone said the same thing: “I think it’s you who needs to spearhead this.”
Finally decided to take the courage Clemmie taught me, answer the call, and take the initiative.
This past summer, I connected Clemmie with a writer, poet and coach, Jazzy, who has already started working with Clemmie on capturing her story, her authenticity, and her voice. It turned out, the two knew each other and had great admiration for each other. So it was meant to be 🙂
The first draft is slated to be finished by May 1, 2022. Writing a book is a big undertaking. My job is to manage the project and raise the funds to make sure Clemmie and Jazzy are able to do the needed work.
Then there was another God-incidence: At our initial meeting, Jazzy, Clemmie and I had a chance to chat with Tisha Morris, a literary agent who just happened to be in town at that same time. We snapped a photo of four of us to celebrate the path of Clemmie’s future book – which we believe will find its way to the right publisher and reach millions of readers.
If not you, then who?
Please check out our GoFundMe page and share it with people whom you believe would care about Clemmie’s work >> https://gofund.me/4a7244c3
Let’s make it happen TOGETHER!
Finally decided to take the courage Clemmie taught me, answer the call, and take the initiative.
This past summer, I connected Clemmie with a writer, poet and coach, Jazzy, who has already started working with Clemmie on capturing her story, her authenticity, and her voice. It turned out, the two knew each other and had great admiration for each other. So it was meant to be 🙂
The first draft is slated to be finished by May 1, 2022. Writing a book is a big undertaking. My job is to manage the project and raise the funds to make sure Clemmie and Jazzy are able to do the needed work.
Then there was another God-incidence: At our initial meeting, Jazzy, Clemmie and I had a chance to chat with Tisha Morris, a literary agent who just happened to be in town at that same time. We snapped a photo of four of us to celebrate the path of Clemmie’s future book – which we believe will find its way to the right publisher and reach millions of readers.
If not you, then who?
Please check out our GoFundMe page and share it with people whom you believe would care about Clemmie’s work >> https://gofund.me/4a7244c3
Let’s make it happen TOGETHER!
Music
The reason I called my show “Waking Up in America” (like my TV show about Turning Points) is the opportunity of each song to be a turning point. Perhaps some trigger a memory, or a dream long forgotten. Perhaps some trigger a memory of a person whom we loved and want to reconnect with…
We CAN allow music to awaken a turning point and inspire the action inside of us to make a change we want to see happen in our lives.
We do the song “Your Raise Me Up” in our show, and here is a beautiful rendition by Luka Sulic, the Croatian cellist from the 2Cellos duo:
The reason I called my show “Waking Up in America” (like my TV show about Turning Points) is the opportunity of each song to be a turning point. Perhaps some trigger a memory, or a dream long forgotten. Perhaps some trigger a memory of a person whom we loved and want to reconnect with…
We CAN allow music to awaken a turning point and inspire the action inside of us to make a change we want to see happen in our lives.
We do the song “Your Raise Me Up” in our show, and here is a beautiful rendition by Luka Sulic, the Croatian cellist from the 2Cellos duo:
Let music+story+coaching help you figure out
AND live your dream life.
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Let music+story+coaching help you figure out
AND live your dream life.
Get weekly emails, exclusive content. special offers and
event updates directly to your inbox.