In a time so needy of real and responsible art, Ayanna is bringing to the world a most beautiful and inspiring reflection of life. And with penetrating depth, she is making audiences feel and heal. For this singer, dramatist, educator and activist, music and art are more than entertainment; they are her mission.
“She touches the place that is the deepest and clearest in my heart”.
– Stevie Wonder
For this Soul singer, dramatist, educator and activist, music and art are more than entertainment; they are her mission. And with penetrating depth, Ayanna’s work is making audiences feel and heal.
Ayanna is no stranger to the entertainment world. While growing up as the daughter of legendary Comedian and Human Rights Activist Dick Gregory, she was blessed with the opportunity to interact with such mega talents as Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. But the glamour of the entertainment world isn’t what resonated most with her. Raised with a deep awareness and concern for Human Rights, Ayanna’s musical roots are steeped in the struggle of the “Freedom Movement”. Ayanna knew early on that her gift of song would be her gift to the struggle.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Ayanna’s mission continues to take her around the country and across the globe. She is committed to creating safe and innovative spaces for healing and transformation Thus, in addition to her life as a soul singer, she spends much of her time as an educator and motivational speaker, using the creative arts to instill self-love within the youth as well as inspiring communities around the world to use the arts as a way to heal through trauma.
In the last decade, Ayanna’s artistic journey has evolved into a great love for theater. In 2014, she created an unforgettable one-woman show entitled “Daughter Of The Struggle”. Described by Martin Luther King III as “magnificent and inspiring!”, this play is a deeply personal journey into the Gregory legacy. This autobiographical performance reveals Ayanna’s multi-faceted existence as a child of the Civil Rights Movement. In 2019, Ayanna created her second production, entitled, “Who Must You Be”, a play that explores the continuum of racism in America and resilence of Black youth.
Songstress, writer, dramatist, educator and activist, Ayanna Gregory stands as a beautiful continuum of the Gregory Legacy.
Ayanna recorded works include “Beautiful Flower” (2003), “Ballad For My Father: Tribute to Dick Gregory” (2007), “Now” (2011), “I DREAM A WORLD” ( 2013), and “Mama This One’s For You” (2014)