By Omari Salisbury 

Last Friday, I attended a truly extraordinary concert at the ethereal St. Mark's Cathedral on Capitol Hill in Seattle. The concert, headlined by the immensely talented Shaina Shepherd, was presented as a night of healing and reflection, a promise it more than fulfilled. From the moment I stepped into the cathedral, I was enveloped by the spiritual atmosphere. The acoustics, lighting, and overall ambiance were a sensory experience that set the stage for a night of profound connection and emotional resonance.

Shaina was joined by a constellation of gifted musicians, including the captivating duo Mike & Matty, the soulful Kevin Sur, the accomplished Andrew Joslyn, and the exquisite Passenger String Quartet. Each artist brought their unique musical voice to the collective tapestry of the evening, contributing to a sense of community and shared purpose that permeated the space. In Shaina's own words, it was a gathering of "My friends in music that have come together tonight," a testament to the power of music to forge lasting bonds and create chosen families.

Following the concert, I had the honor of speaking with Shaina about the inspiration and intentionality behind the event. She generously shared her insights on the healing power of music, the importance of community, and the challenges of creating art in a world that can often feel chaotic and uncertain. But beyond that, she spoke passionately about the significance of the night as a reunion of sorts, a coming together of artists who had grown up and evolved alongside each other, now uniting their talents to create something truly special for their city.

"This is our story that we're talking about," Shaina explained. "It's not just our story, but it's coming together from every little corner of the city to unite together and bring and represent everybody that we love." It was a beautiful sentiment, and one that was clearly reflected in the diversity of the audience and the sense of shared experience in the room.

One of the most poignant moments of the concert for me was Shaina's performance of her song "Elijah," a deeply moving tribute to her friend and mine, Elijah L. Lewis, a beloved community leader whose life was tragically cut short last year. Shaina spoke about the profound impact Elijah's death had on her and how writing the song had been a way to navigate her grief and honor his memory. The lyrics of "Elijah" are both powerful and poignant, drawing parallels between the biblical prophet Elijah and the transformative impact that Lewis had on his community. It's a song that explores the depths of loss, but also offers a message of hope and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Shaina's song choices throughout the evening were clearly intentional and deeply personal. She revealed that each song she performed had been written for someone in the audience or in spirit, creating an intimate and conversational atmosphere. The unique setting of St. Mark's Cathedral, a space that Shaina described as "the most beautiful room in the entire city," further amplified this sense of connection.

In addition to "Elijah," Shaina also performed a song called "Colored Girls," which she dedicated to my colleague, Besa Gordon, who was also present. Shaina spoke about how Besa's strength, passion, and unwavering commitment to community had inspired her, and how the song was a celebration of the multifaceted nature of womanhood. "It's about allowing women, allowing us and ourselves to express all of our deepest passions," Shaina explained. "To be passionate, to be smart, to be pervasive, to be competitive, to be whatever color and shape that we want to be."

The concert showcased Shaina's remarkable talent and the power of music to create a space for healing, connection, and reflection. It was a night when a group of friends, united by their shared love of music and their deep connection to their city, came together to create something truly special. It was an unforgettable experience, a reminder of the enduring power of music to bring people together, inspire hope, and touch the deepest parts of our souls.

Thank you Shaina.