Fantasia Barrino is a bold testimony

By Terri M. Bolds*& July in Cincinnati means it is Jazz Festival weekend, or Macy’s Festival or Cincinnati Music Festival time.& However you reference this undeniable great time in our city, it has been a staple since 1962 when it was originally called Ohio Valley Jazz Festival. It’s a time when some of the Black culture’s notable and talented artists visit the Queen City and have their fans in a musical frenzy for just a little while.  In a few weeks, downtown Cincinnati will be flooded with Black culture and Black people from surrounding cities and states celebrating the thing that has always brought us solace: music. Music has healing properties. Music is calming. Music is inspirational. Music is our hype man. Music tells our stories — the good, the bad and indifferent. Music is freeing. Music is life. Did you know music raises the serotonin and dopamine in our brains? Those are neurotransmitters responsible for elevated mood and pleasurable experiences. So basically, we are about to get a healing, a therapy session and mental break to keep us afloat, even if it is for a short time. My favorite living artist is no stranger to our city and will...