As an active member of the National Speakers Association of Ohio, a storyteller, published author, singer songwriter with original music out there, still making costumes for community theater from time to time, a fitness advocate with a regular workout schedule… With all of that, my question to myself was, how am I going to incorporate all of these aspects of myself, into a marketable package? For me, it’s simply a wholistic approach to who I am and what’s most important to making me, me! The answer? Arts, Culture, and Wellness!
I have always loved the stage and some type of performing. But the interesting thing is, I really enjoy chillaxin’ by myself, too! Out of high school and on to the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, my bachelor’s degree in music education was a substitute for what I really wanted to do, and that was, vocal performance. So, my senior year, while finishing up my education degree, I decided to pursue Plan B, which was registered nursing, which worked out just fine, with a few adjustments. (Yep, that’s a story or two!)
During my nursing career, I continued my love for singing, performing with The Cleveland Orchestra Choruses, then solo with my own band, singing classic jazz, all the way to reggae, R&B, world, and sacred music. My singing was never, and still isn’t discarded. I’m on staff as a sub with School of Rock in Cleveland, and I still sing solo gigs. I’ll sing until I can’t anymore!
There was also a part of me that wanted to do a bit of dancing. so I took lessons and master classes as an adult, and was blessed to be able to perform in several very nice performances, large and small, and even teach beginning, basic West African dance and liturgical movement to children and adults. It’s not always necessary to be a “professional” in everything, if you want to perform. As long as you have the capability, the commitment to putting in the time to learn and rehearse, and don’t step outside of your lane so to speak, you can enjoy and be fulfilled!
My nursing career included specialties such as SICU, hemodialysis (including dialyzing a few passengers on an Alaskan cruise ship!), finishing up with CMSD public school nursing, working with a variety of ethnicities of students grades Pre-K through high school. Check out my book ‘Hood Medical: This Is Why I Sing, available on Amazon. (When I say I’ve got stories…)
A Couple of Reviews
From a sister nurse I’d never met before:
“I am excited to share an excellent read, ‘Hood Medical, for inspiration to do life with heart, wisdom and a healthy dose of humor. Nurse Barbara is a storyteller sharing her tender and laughable moments, about nursing with children, families and community through engaging vignettes. Barbara Barrett exemplifies generosity of compassion in her nursing and then when the day is done, shares her musical talents. Nurses, teachers, school counselors, parents, and anyone who likes a good autobiography; dedicated, talented, thoughtful humorous, songstress, Barbara J Barrett, working in Cleveland’s inner city, delivers in ‘Hood Medical.” – L.R, RN, Cleveland
From E. Bishop, Retired Teacher and former co-worker:
Midway through my nursing career, I started working for Magellan Health. What I was responsible for included facilitating Brown Bag Lunch Trainings on Stress, Time, and or Change Management for various corporations such as Eaton Corp, Progressive Insurance, Aetna, DFAS, the IRS, law firms and private industries, and even Burger King. My work also included staffing health fairs, and CISMs, onsite Critical Incident intervention to help staff members get through work-related crisis situations. Audiences ranged from fifteen or twenty, to several hundred.
While all of this was going on, I had started studying my culture, and traveling. One of my West African elders who was also a professor at the University of Ife in Nigeria, asked me to speak at several conferences, which I happily did. As a result of that beginning, I’ve presented at conferences in Indiana, California, Kentucky, Atlanta, Cuba, and recently facilitated a retreat in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Details on the “What’s New” page!
Here with Princeton Professor of Religious Studies, Albert Raboteau for a Case Western Reserve University lecture
Ifa is invited to visit The Cleveland Playhouse!
The Cleveland Playhouse’s ongoing mission to provide education, includes what they call Digital Lobby Experiences prior to their shows. iPads are available for theater goers, with interviews of community leaders and experts, on topics relevant to the play that’s running. Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-Winning play “Between Riverside and Crazy” was one of their feature presentations. The story line focused on concepts of redemption, and destiny. The play referenced the practice of Ifa, which is a major ancestral, traditionalist, spiritual, and cultural part of the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria, practiced here in the diaspora, that I’m a student initiate of for over 30 years.
The reference to Ifa in the production was through Santeria. Both Santeria and Candomble are diasporal practices of Ifa, with heavy Latino influence. Both practices have similarities to Catholicism due to a need for syncretism and adjustments to diasporal life. I commend our ancestors, love, and am grateful for their ingenuity and dedication to maintaining our historic roots and practices!
My first trip to Cuba in 2001 was to present at a conference, where I spoke of some cultural differences with patients in healthcare. My second trip was in 2022 to relax and observe. In 2023 I experienced a beautiful journey to the mountains of Utuado, Puerto Rico to facilitate a retreat on the importance of resting, relaxing, and resetting. I’ve enjoyed four trips to West Africa to study, receive spiritual rites, explore and enjoy genetic aspects of my culture that I needed to reconnect with. Additionally, there was a brief visit to Paris, France, a 7-day Alaskan cruise on which I dialyzed patients so they could enjoy a nice vacation, safely, and various other trips around the US. I love traveling to speak and/or sing, to study, observe, and yes, to simply relax!
For this CPH production, religious commentaries included Christian, Muslim, and Jewish perspectives regarding the topics of redemption and destiny, from selected leaders. I’m honored to have been selected to give commentary on Ifa theology, cosmology and belief.
The first video briefly highlights the concept of Redemption in Ifa Theology. The second one speaks of Destiny.
Before I go, here’s a quick message
I hadn’t made a Lemon Meringue Pie in years. But in honor of my dad, I made one. He liked all kinds of desserts, but that day, there was something about lemons.
In addition to being blessed in many ways, I’ve most definitely had my share of trials. Those are also stories I willingly and transparently share when I speak, as inspiration. One of my elders told me, with an abundance of blessings can come an abundance of trials. Thankfully, he also predicted my biggest blessings coming later in life.
Later is now. May the lemons I’ve had, be turned into a tasty dessert! (And yes, that pie was ridiculously delicious!)