Locality
Fredericksburg
Occupation
Musician and Civil Rights Activist
Biography
As a teenager in Fredericksburg, Gaye Todd participated in sit-ins and in picket lines against segregated businesses. She graduated from high school as valedictorian and studied biology and chemistry at Boston University. While living in Harlem, she worked as a bacteriologist, became involved in the Black Power movement, and began using the surname Adegbalola (roughly translated as "reclaiming my crown"), which a Yoruba priest gave her in 1968.
In 1970 Gaye Adegbalola returned to Fredericksburg and helped direct the Harambee Theater, which her father had established to foster pride in African American history and culture. She joined the public school system as a science teacher and later developed the city's program for gifted and talented students. Recognized for her creativity in the classroom, Adegbalola was honored as Virginia's Teacher of the Year in 1982.
Moonlighting as a blues musician, she co-founded a trio, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women. Saffire self-recorded its first album, Middle Age Blues, in 1987 and went on to release nine albums with Alligator Records. Adegbalola left teaching in 1988 to become a full-time performer, touring nationally and internationally, and her song "Middle-Aged Blues Boogie" won the Annual Blues Award for best song in 1990. Saffire disbanded in 2009, but Adegbalola continues to perform and provide workshops on music, education, and human rights. Through her music she strives to empower people marginalized by society and seeks to inspire joy in everyday life. For her advocacy of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights, Equality Virginia named Adegbalola an Outstanding Virginian in 2011.
Nominated by Ellen Foster, Gum Spring, Louisa County.
2018 Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia and recipient of the VABPW Business Leadership Award
Listen to Adegbalola's interview with Virginia Currents (2018).
In 1970 Gaye Adegbalola returned to Fredericksburg and helped direct the Harambee Theater, which her father had established to foster pride in African American history and culture. She joined the public school system as a science teacher and later developed the city's program for gifted and talented students. Recognized for her creativity in the classroom, Adegbalola was honored as Virginia's Teacher of the Year in 1982.
Moonlighting as a blues musician, she co-founded a trio, Saffire–The Uppity Blues Women. Saffire self-recorded its first album, Middle Age Blues, in 1987 and went on to release nine albums with Alligator Records. Adegbalola left teaching in 1988 to become a full-time performer, touring nationally and internationally, and her song "Middle-Aged Blues Boogie" won the Annual Blues Award for best song in 1990. Saffire disbanded in 2009, but Adegbalola continues to perform and provide workshops on music, education, and human rights. Through her music she strives to empower people marginalized by society and seeks to inspire joy in everyday life. For her advocacy of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights, Equality Virginia named Adegbalola an Outstanding Virginian in 2011.
Nominated by Ellen Foster, Gum Spring, Louisa County.
2018 Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia and recipient of the VABPW Business Leadership Award
Listen to Adegbalola's interview with Virginia Currents (2018).
File Citation(s)
Image Courtesy of Gaye Todd Adegbalola.