Executive producer of Black Divas, an Austin local PBS Show, Qi Dada runs performers through rehearsals on Dec. 1, 2025. / Shunya Carroll for KUT
Austin musician and producer Ghislaine “Qi Dada” Jean is addressing the critical issue of Black maternal health through her upcoming showcase, Black Divas. This event will be filmed live at Austin PBS on December 6, 2024, and is set to air nationwide next year. The showcase will highlight the challenges and triumphs of Black motherhood, combining elements of opera, gospel, and R&B music.
Jean’s journey into this project began four years ago when she became a mother. She anticipated the overwhelming emotions that accompany motherhood but was disheartened by the absence of cultural representation in Texas that could articulate her experiences. “I kept thinking, surely someone has made art about this,” she reflected. “But nothing spoke to what I was going through.”
As she delved deeper into the state’s maternal health statistics, the urgency of her project became evident. Texas has made some progress in maternal health, yet Black women continue to face disproportionately high risks of severe complications and mortality during and after pregnancy. According to state reviews, many of these tragic outcomes are preventable, often resulting from delayed recognition of complications and inadequate postpartum care.
Jean emphasized the importance of organizations like Black Mamas ATX and Black Mamas Village, which advocate for better care and support for Black mothers in healthcare settings. She noted that many Black female artists, even icons like Aretha Franklin and Leontyne Price, have not been encouraged to explore the nuanced challenges faced by Black women.
A Platform for Black Voices
Jean describes Black Divas as a unique space where Black women can express themselves without the need for external validation. The concert will weave together classical arias, gospel-infused arrangements, and contemporary R&B, fostering a sense of connection that transcends musical genres. “It’s a musical space that lets Black women hear themselves more clearly, without having to explain anything,” she said.
For this year’s showcase, Jean has assembled a talented quartet of returning vocalists, including classical sopranos and gospel altos, to create an emotional core for the performance. Notably, Keke Wyatt, a platinum-selling R&B singer known for her powerful voice and extensive experience in television production, will guest perform. Jean expressed enthusiasm for Wyatt’s participation, underscoring her vocal prowess, experience as a mother of 11, and alignment with the show’s mission.
A live band composed entirely of Black musicians will anchor the performance, providing continuity from last year’s showcase while enhancing the overall production design. Jean views this ensemble as a supportive network, mirroring the community of birth workers and advocates that inspired her project.
Balancing Joy and Struggle
The program aims to balance the stark realities of maternal health with moments of joy, humor, and connection. “Joy is nourishment,” Jean stated. “It’s something we need, especially in times that feel heavy.” She hopes that audiences will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities Black mothers navigate, including their strength, vulnerability, and humor.
“I want people to feel the depth of these women. Their strength, their vulnerability, their humor—all of it,” she remarked. “That’s the beauty I want people to walk away with.”
The Black Divas: Her Life on Cloud 9 concert and television taping will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2024, at 19:00 at Austin PBS, located at 6101 Highland Campus Dr., Building 3000. Tickets are available for purchase online.
This initiative is supported by Huston-Tillotson University, Six Square, Visit Austin, and PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross, and it seeks to foster an essential dialogue around Black maternal health while celebrating the artistic contributions of Black women.
