Khaliah Booker
She/They
Service Project: Project for Pride in Living,
Talent, Equity, and Culture AmeriCorps Member
Khaliah Booker is a Fontbonne University graduate from "the greatest city in the Midwest"(St. Louis) and the author of the novel, 'Of A Man'. She is very involved in her community and believes her purpose is to serve others. Khaliah believes inquiry and dialogue are the keys to mending our communities and building collective healing and resilience. Khaliah often says "This work is my heart's work".
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Changes by 2Pac
Changes speaks to me. I play this song whenever I want to feel heard. Tupac represents all the
voices in my head when I am stressed about my community and the work I am trying to do.
Sometimes, I feel cynical, bitter, and jaded while simultaneously hopeful, aware, and
determined. The line that I feel the most is:
“Pull a trigger, kill a n***** - he’s a hero.”
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​The 2014 death of Michael Brown Jr. in my hometown of Ferguson, Missouri changed my life.
The aftermath of Darren Wilson’s actions - set my world a flame and we have never been the
same. Michael and his family still haven’t seen justice. That haunts me especially because I
don’t know if we’ll ever be able to do enough to make his death and the Uprising worth it.
Weirdly, I feel like Tupac would understand this—the feeling of accepting defeat while also
rejecting it. Lastly, the gospel undertones evoke an emotional response out of me like many
other gospel tracks.
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W.A.Y.S by Jhene Aiko
I love a good chill song. This song sounds like peace and acceptance.
My freshmen year in high school was the first time I attended counseling for my depression and
anxiety. It was a very hard time for me and my counselor had a fishbowl of sayings - that you
would take as you left. I reached into the bowl after my first section and it was a tiny piece of
paper that said “Why aren’t you smiling?” I immediately smiled. This song is just a reincarnation
of that paper.
This song says “Breathe, feel, and keep going”. As a black woman, we learn this lesson young.
You have to keep going - you can’t stop. But, this song says “Do it with presence, gratitude, and
grace.” It’s encouragement and not pushing. Jhene is sure to convey to the listener “Life is
bigger, God is bigger, and all is good.” And many days - I need that reminder.
FLOAT by Janelle Monae
UGH! I love this song. It’s a newer song but every time I hear it - I’m up and singing. It is such
an anthem for me right now.
So, I have always had friends but not really a strong friend group. I used to call myself a loner
but, I’m NOT. I love people and chatting and I make connections wherever I go - I just happen to
always be on the outskirts of the established friend groups. This used to bother me so much
because - why was I always the last invite (if I got one) but, when I show up everyone loves me
and we have a good time. I never had beef with anyone - I was just a ‘floater’.
This song is perfect for me because - I love myself and I am entering a new era. Little Khaliah
would be amazed at how I’ve evolved. Float, is a self-love anthem that doesn’t lean on
comparison to others or turning down your past self. So, this song perfectly encapsulated where
I am. I fully recommend the music video or live performance at the Soul Train Awards.