“I'm singing these songs to inspire you, to keep you going, to lift you up and gi…” — Mavis Staples

My high-school a cappella teacher would embarrass me in front of the choir. 'Mavis, you're in the basement. Mavis, you're singing with the boys.' I said, 'Mr. Finch, my voice isn't soprano. I can't sing up there with the girls.' So I just got out of the choir.

My purpose: to lift your spirit and to motivate you.