A Soulful Heart Memorializing George Floyd Jr.

02/18/2026

Rest in peace, Rev. Jackson. Your legacy of love and social justice will shine on as brilliantly here as your soul surely now does in Heaven. 🙏

10/14/2025

Wishing George a heavenly birthday today. Forever in our thoughts, his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

05/25/2025

It is hard to imagine that it was 5 years ago today that George Floyd was murdered. When the world witnessed his pleas for his mother as Derek Chauvin continued to press his knee on George’s neck, until George’s cries were ultimately silenced by death, it sparked a protest that went around the world.

George was a kind, loving, ”gentle giant” who cared deeply about his family and friends. May the cruel loss of his life continue to inspire people to stand up for social justice.

A Soulful Heart extends its condolences and prayers to the Floyd Family on this difficult 5-years anniversary of his murder.

01/20/2025

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964.

In honor and celebration of Martin Luther King Day, may all be reminded of the impactful and lasting wisdom of his words, the strength of his resolve, and the courage of his expression.

01/16/2025

Happy (Heavenly) Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would have turned 96 on January 15th. Your legacy of peace, justice, and compassion continue to be a beacon of light for all, to this day.

06/19/2024

The significance of Juneteenth is an important date for our country. When President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, which freed the slaves, the news of federally-protected freedom did not reach many slaves who lived far from Washington D.C. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that Major General Gordon Granger ordered Its enforcement in the fledging country’s furthest state, Texas.

To think those who were enslaved had to endure the horror of being owned by other human beings for an additional 2 1/2 years beyond their legal right to freedom is heartbreaking.

Imagine the joy, if that’s even possible, of finding out that the Cavalry - literally and figuratively - had finally arrived and brought freedom for you and your loved ones, with the enforcement of a legal right that you didn’t even know you had had for 2 1/2 years. That celebration is not only about the ending of slavery, it is a celebration of FREEDOM - a very important date for ALL Americans.

Happy Juneteenth!

05/25/2024

A Tribute to George on the Fourth Anniversary of His Death

It is impossible to believe that it has been four years since the murder of George Floyd, Jr. The memory of the 9 minutes, 29 seconds it took George to finally succumb to Derek Chauvin's knee pressing on his neck, is as cruel and inhumane today as it was on May 25, 2020. During that time, George repeatedly begged Police Officer Chauvin to stop, saying, "Please sir, I can't breathe," before ultimately calling out for his Mother with his last dying breath.

For George and all of the other people of color who have been murdered because of the color of their skin, A Soulful Heart offers this spoken word tribute written by ASH's Treasurer, Nan O'Brien, and produced by Andre Graham, The Rivers Run Red. Please join us in trying to combat injustice.

"The Rivers Run Red"is a social justice spoken word album, written and narrated by Nan O'Brien, with music written by Andre Graham and produced by Andre Graham and Nan O'Brien. It was inspired by a tr

05/25/2024

"The Rivers Run Red"is a social justice spoken word album, written and narrated by Nan O'Brien, with music written by Andre Graham and produced by Andre Graham and Nan O'Brien. It was inspired by a tr

03/29/2024

Sending love and prayers to the family and fans of beloved Louis "Lou" Gossett, Jr. He uplifted our hearts with his talent and passion, inspired us with his success, and was well-loved by all who knew him.

The world was a better place because he was with us; he will be deeply missed.

10/15/2023

October 14, 2023 - a day of celebration for George Floyd, Jr. Our organization holds love and appreciation for his heavenly 50th birthday on this special day. While he may not be with us physically, George's legacy is with us eternally.

08/28/2023

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the open escalation of violence against Black people continues to rise throughout the U.S.

Surely Martin Luther King, Jr., would never have believed that six decades after his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, we would be fighting ever increasing violence and blatant voter suppression tactics against the Black community. The rise of racially-motivated domestic terrorists, many with ties to White Christian Nationalists, and their agendas of hate toward anyone who is non-White is as alarming as it is despicable.

The latest in an ongoing string of such attacks occurred on Friday, when lone wolf domestic terrorist Ryan Palmeter, 29, randomly targeted, shot, and killed three Black people at a Dollar General Store in Jacksonville, Florida, before turning the gun on himself, reminiscent of the Buffalo, NY shooting spree in May 2022.

The gunman spewed racial hatred in manifestos he left for his family, the media, and law enforcement. Palmeter was armed with an AR-15 and a G***k handgun decorated with swastikas, despite having been detained involuntarily and examined under the "Baker Act" in 2017, due to a mental health crisis. Typically, people who have been detained under the Baker Act are not eligible to purchase guns. But hey - we don't need any gun control laws, right? The US has "only" had 400 mass shootings in the first 200 days of 2023, the most ever recorded since such statistics became necessary to track in the US. But that is a discussion point for another day.

On this day of commemoration, there is a need for reflection, followed by action. This is not a Black community problem, this is an American problem. The racial hatred and targeting of citizens because of the color of their skin should have no place in a country that considers itself the leader of the free world. For now, Dr. King's dream is merely that - a dream. We haven't begun to come close to making it a reality, but we need to continue to dream, too.

ASH would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims of this latest heinous hate crime.

08/12/2023

Today was a bittersweet day, as we celebrated the Going Home services of our ASH family member, Kevin Thorbourne. The church was overflowing with both people and love for this most special man, with heartwarming stories from his family; amazing vocalist Tenishia Touissant, accompanied by the always-inspirational musical talents of Andre Graham; and the opportunity for ASH’s Executive Board members, Stephen Davis (President), Love Sessoms (Secretary) and Nan O’Brien (Treasurer), to share the immeasurable contribution Kevin made to our organization.

No amount of words can express what a kind, gentle, thoughtful, loving person Kevin was, or do justice to the legacy Kevin has left the world, as he moves onto his heavenly home. We will strive to honor him in our work, and he will continue to be a part of our ASH Family always. ❤️