Gaining Hope – Tyreesha with artist SassyBlack

Tyreesha had a happy upbringing. She grew up in Vancouver, Washington, and described her childhood as loving and filled with laughter. After graduating high school, Tyreesha moved to Seattle to pursue a degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies at the University of Washington.

After college, she went back to Vancouver and began work at a homeless shelter. The work was emotionally exhausting and that toil began to take a toll on Tyreesha’s mental and physical health. In addition to the way the shelter was run, she was also exposed, first hand, to the disproportionate number of people of color experiencing homelessness as the result of systemic racism in housing, education, employment and other areas.

“Getting back to art and writing at YAIT—I'm like ok, clarity is coming back. My mindset is shifting.”

-Tyreesha

This stress caused Tyreesha to leave her job, without a plan. It wasn’t long before she found herself bouncing between sleeping outside, on friend’s couches, and in overnight shelters across Seattle for five months. Tyreesha moved into YAIT, the Y’s transitional housing facility downtown which has allowed her to focus on creating art and poetry while she plans her next steps. Tyreesha’s work has been shown at several local galleries.

UNHEARD: SassyBlack & Tyreesha

Artist: SassyBlack

SassyBlack is a space-aged singer, songwriter & producer. This Goddess of “electronic psychedelic soul” & “hologram funk” explores the concepts of sound through deep compositions. With roots in classical & jazz, her voice is often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Erykah Badu & Georgia Anne Muldrow.

She has gained attention from Okayplayer, Afropunk, The Fader, Pitchfork & more.

SassyBlack Discovery of Self

SassyBlack Discovery of Self, Lyrics

CHORUS/CHANT

Discovery of health
Discovery of wealth
Discovery of self
Discovery of wealth
Discovery of health
Discovery of self
Discovery of health
Discovery of wealth
Discovery of self
Discovery of wealth
Discovery of health
Discovery of self

(Vocalizing)

VERSE

Working, this 9 to 5
Strugglin’ just to survive
Oh, oh
Oh
Working, every night and day
Silently, trying to make my way
Oh, oh
Oh

CHORUS/CHANT

RAP (2X)

I brushed it off, let it go let it flow
I brushed it off, let it flow let it roll
I brushed it off, let it go let it flow
Let the universe know that I seek control
Woah, woah
Woah

BRIDGE (2X)

I have to free my mind
To free my soul
To free my body
To free my spirit

CHORUS/CHANT