Meagan McNeal

This beautiful space has become my home away from home for the last three weeks. I am grateful, stretched, and deeply inspired by the artistry unfolding here every day. The discipline, the integrity, the stories, the message, the newness, and so much more! Still pinching myself that this is real life. See you this weekend Chicago! 😭🙌🏾✨

you’ve outdone yourself and got the whole city on your back, BLK!

In rehearsals for safronia, and I feel compelled to say this plainly: BRING YOUR ELDERS.

Bring the ones who lived through the Jim Crow South. Bring the ones shaped by the Great Migration. Bring the ones who never had the chance to experience the opera.

To survive that kind of history and also live to walk through the front doors of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in one lifetime- remarkable. Legacy! The unfolding of our ancestors’ wildest dreams.

Get them a ticket. Get dressed up with them. Make a night of it. Honor what it means to BE here.

If my grandmother were still alive, there is not a stop I wouldn’t pull out to make sure she witnessed this. 🥹

This is important. This is historical. And it will SELL OUT!

, your brilliance is undeniable. Thank you for giving us something this powerful, this unapologetic, this BLK, Papa Baar!

- safronia

Where do I even begin?

Turning 40 in such a beautiful and meaningful way is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I feel like I hit the ground running right after the party, and I’m only now slowing down enough to really reflect on what that evening meant to me. What I can say is this: after a long season of darkness, it finally feels like morning.

Looking around that room and seeing family, friends, colleagues, collaborators, and people from so many different chapters of my life all gathered together under one roof is a blessing I don’t take for granted.

The spirit in the room; I’m still wrapping my head around. The energy was infectious. So much joy, laughter, music, dancing, and generosity. People sharing their time, their talent, their presence. I got to dance with my folks, hug people I hadn’t seen in years, and take in the quiet little moments.

It didn’t feel like *my* birthday so much as it felt like a shared experience. A room full of beautifully human people choosing love, connection, and celebration; I just gave us the reason.

I’m grateful for life.
Grateful to love and to be loved.

Grateful for the courage to be seen, and the compassion to see others. Grateful to be surrounded by people who are incredibly talented; but more than anything BEAUTIFUL people.

I feel blessed. I feel thankful. I feel capable.

Especially in times like these, when the world feels heavy and uncertain, joy can seem out of place. That’s exactly why we need; we need spaces where people can come together; where we can see one another and allow ourselves to be seen.

Joy will always be part of my resistance.
What a beautiful life. What a beautiful gift life is.

I’m deeply grateful for 40.
And grateful to be——In Full Bloom. 🌸

The night would NOT have been possible without the sponsors. Thank you to (Arnell), , , , , .creatives

Location:
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Happy Friday everyone! Currently pinching myself because I can’t believe that I will be headed to the one and only in the upcoming • A world premier musical work from the esteemed, incomparable, and celebrated artist (and friend) . Trying something new. Living in an answered prayer!! Incredibly grateful for this opportunity and am overjoyed that that time is here to share with you all! Following my North Star to

I am personally inviting you to come and see the wonderful artistry of avery r. young, the cast, and myself on Friday April 17th @ 7pm CST + April 18th @ 7:30pm CST. Link to purchase tickets is in my bio! See you in April.

🥰😘🌹 Love you every day, Heavy.

Luther Vandross | The Maestro of Love Songs 🎼❤️

When you think of love songs that stand the test of time, you think of Luther Vandross. Couldn’t think of a more perfect day to highlight him other than on Valentine’s Day! A voice as smooth as silk and lyrics that spoke straight to the heart, he created romantic anthems that still define the genre. From Never Too Much to Here and Now to his breathtaking cover of A House Is Not a Home, Luther’s music wasn’t just heard—it was felt.

But beyond the slow jams, Luther was a master vocalist and producer, shaping the sound of modern R&B. His influence stretched across decades, earning him eight Grammy Awards, countless platinum albums, and a permanent place among the greatest voices in history.

📌 Before his solo career, he was a sought-after background singer and vocal arranger, working with legends like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Roberta Flack. His talent was undeniable at every level of the industry. A fun fact: Luther Vandross attended my alma mater — .

His voice was a gift, his music was a legacy, and his impact? Everlasting!! 🎤✨❤️