Black History Month-African Americans and the Arts, Descendants and Excellence.
The 2024 theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts” spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more. In considering this year’s theme, I thought back to the many contributions of African Americans in Milam County that have been chronicled over 41 years by my late grandmother Susie Sansom- Piper. Many of those accolades were based on the accomplishments of the students from the segregated Aycock High School later Rockdale High or Milam County.
As culture changes, and families move away, I have found that those foundations from the Rockdale Independent School system, Milam County, and the community, have influenced the same spirit of excellence and accomplishment in the descendants of Rockdale residents as well as the expanded influence of the Rockdale Community around the world. I am amazed and proud of the many contributions to society and the world that the descendants and former residents of our small town quietly make.
One such descendant is Zahriya Zachary. Twenty-fiveyear- old Zahriya is the daughter of Patricia Davis, a 1978 graduate of Rockdale High School, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Bessie Davis of Rockdale. Zahriya was born and raised in Houston by her mother Patricia, a single parent. Patricia indicates that from the time of her birth, she made conscious decisions to raise Zahriya with a strong Christian foundation. She enrolled her in a Christian daycare until age 6 at the famed New Light Church in Houston and the two then moved to Spring where Zahriya’ s early love of music began.
When Patricia noted that Zahriya had a talent for music and was taking an interest, she decided to buy her a piano. At the time, a man at the music store advised that instead of buying a piano, she start with a keyboard to prevent the large expense especially if Zahriya did not stick with it long-term. Zahriya learned to play by ear first and as Patricia recognized her talent, she found a music teacher who provided lessons for several years. Zahriya attended a Christian Lutheran school between 4th and 8th grades where, around age 10, she made her debut singing before an audience in the middle school talent show. By 5th grade, Zahriya auditioned with the Houston Children’s Chorus and was selected, performing and rehearsing for various events. One of the memorable moments of this experience was to perform before the late First Lady, Barbara Bush, in support of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
By high school, Zahriya needed to be introduced to public school. Patricia sold her house on one side of the freeway to get her into the “right public high school.” While in school, Zahriya participated in sports as well as other activities. She was a well- rounded student but decided to pursue music fully around the 10th grade, participating in choir and talent shows throughout high school. In high school, Zahriya was nominated to participate in a European Music Tour (Texas Music Ambassadors) which entailed seven European Countries in 16 days. Starting in London, they then visited Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany and Italy. They sang at different famous cathedrals in these different countries expanding her travels and music experience. She also became the first Black choir president for Klein Collins High School, winning the office in a school of over 3,500 students and proceeding to win multiple talent shows during her high school years.
As Zahriya proceeded to college to major in law and philosophy, she was persuaded to join a College Ministry called THE WAY. She had never led worship before and one of her college friends asked her to join the worship team. She began leading worship around age 18 and her new career path was forged. Although she had chosen a more “practical path for a college degree, law, Zahriya could not ignore her love for music. As she put it, her “Love for Jesus and love for music collided”. Zahriya still wanted to be a lawyer but felt the Lord was saying she needed to be a worshipper.
As fate would have it, while she was working as a baker for a coffee shop, Zahriya received a message at her job from her worship Pastor. Bethel Music, in Redding, CA reached out to her and asked her to join the collective to worship. As a result, Zahriya has been a part of Bethel Music for two-and-a-half years. She is an artist and song writer full-time and the first and only Black woman to join Bethel Music or be signed to the label. Zahriya currently travels and tours around the world performing with them and is among the 13 artists on the Bethel label. She also writes music and lyrics for artists outside of Bethel, writing for one of the largest labels in the world. In fact, Patricia beams that “God has blessed Zahriya so much that three of the songs she has done in her young career have all made it to radio. As for the future?
Zahriya is currently working on a personal album project. The three songs identified as her mom’s favorites are Simple Ways, Back to Life, and Surrounded by Holy. All are available on streaming worldwide and domestic: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, any streaming platform. When asked what her philosophy was for success, Zahriya shook her head gently and exclaimed “If you really love it, give your whole heart to it and practice. You will never regret following your passion as it will keep you going for the long haul.”
As for her mom? Patricia sacrificed to give Zahriya the foundation that cultivated her excellence. She is extremely proud of where Zahriya is today, her accomplishments and her kind, humble spirit. Patricia Davis graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 1982 with a degree in Business Management (BBA). She has worked for Exxon Mobile in corporate oil and gas for the last 30-plus years in many leadership roles as a contributor and trainer.
For more information on Zahriya or her music, see www.viberate.com/artist/ zahriya-zachary/.
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