This Black History Month, I’m sharing art, songs, movies, and other creative expressions from and about Black women that spark joy for me. Because Black women are often not remembered for their contributions, I thought this would be one way to give flowers to those who inspire me.
For Day 25, I’m honoring singer Roberta Flack, who passed away this week at the age of 88.
Roberta Flack was born in North Carolina and grew up in a musical family. She went to Howard University at age 15. After graduating, She was signed to Atlantic Records shortly after being discovered singing jazz in a Washington DC nightclub.
Roberta Flack was one of my mom’s favorite singers so I grew up hearing her music on Saturday mornings. Maybe because her story was similar to my mother’s. Roberta dreamed of becoming an opera singer, but her professors knew racial discrimination would get in her way, so they influenced her to pursue music education instead. My mom dreamed of being an artist but was discouraged by her parents. It makes me wonder how much the world missed out on because it insists on making Black women stay small and snuff out their creative lights.
Roberta Flack was known for slowing down the tempo of her music and giving it a melodic, romantic feel. She is often named as one of the mothers of the Quiet Storm style of music.
"I always say that 'love is a song' — meaning that music reaches beyond age, race, nationality and religion to touch our hearts." -Roberta Flack
Flack was nominated for 13 Grammys and won 5, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. Flack became the first Black woman to win Record of the Year, and the first artist to win Record of the Year twice in a row, winning for the First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in 1973 and Killing Me Softly With His Song in 1974.
Thank you, Roberta Flack, for following your dreams and giving the world so much music. You will not be forgotten.
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