Music as Medicine: Faith and Health Leaders Call for Community Healing
Alexandria, VA – Faith leaders, mental health professionals, musicians, and public health advocates gathered January 19, 2026, at My Father’s House Christian Church for “Music: Medicine for Mental Wellness,” a community event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and highlighting the role of music, faith, and equity in promoting mental and emotional well-being.
Pastor Lou Whiting of My Father’s House Christian Church and COL Jim Paige, CCNA, welcomed the crowd and emphasized the responsibility of both faith communities and civic institutions to address mental health as a matter of compassion and justice. Reverend Donald Hayes offered the invocation, grounding the gathering in prayer and reflection on holistic healing of mind, body, and spirit.
Music set the tone for the morning, with an opening selection by The FAME Jazz Ensemble and A. Toni Lewis, founder of the Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education, underscoring the central theme that music is both art and medicine.
Jacquie Gales Webb, host of Gospel Spirit on 96.3 WHUR, presented “Dr. King and Music: A Perspective,” connecting the Civil Rights Movement’s musical traditions with contemporary mental wellness and spiritual resilience.
Dr. Emerald Christopher, Alexandria’s Chief Race and Social Equity Officer, reflected on Dr. King’s legacy, equity, and community healing, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health disparities through inclusive, community-centered approaches.
Keynote remarks were delivered by Rawle Andrews, Jr., Esq., Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF), who framed mental wellness as a public health priority and highlighted partnerships between faith communities, health systems, and local organizations.
Musical selections, including a performance by Tanya Wilkins, provided moments of reflection before the program transitioned to a focus on healing and community wellness.
The second segment was introduced by host Donita Greene and featured a musical selection by Pastor Sheila Whiting. A mental health and community wellness panel was moderated by Dr. Jean Accius, CEO of Creating Healthier Communities (CHC).
Panelists included Dr. Brian Sutton of For Us Therapeutics; Dr. Gigi Bell of Heart to Heart Wellness Center; Allen Lomax, Chair of the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria; Pastor Alyssa Densham of Saint James United Methodist Church; and Christian Bentley of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Community reflections and an open forum were moderated by Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey and Natalie Talis of the Alexandria Health Department, encouraging dialogue and shared commitment to mental wellness.
The program concluded with a closing musical selection by The FAME Jazz Ensemble and A. Toni Lewis, followed by a closing challenge and call to action from Pastor Whiting and COL Paige, urging continued collaboration to build healthier, more resilient communities.
