There are moments in time when, as you witness them, you’re aware of the currents of history swirling around the perimeter of your consciousness. You know, as an event unfolds, that it has meaning, and significance, and reveals itself as a powerful harbinger of change. One such epochal interlude was the evening of June 25, 2013, when accomplished, trailblazing violinist and mezzo-soprano Tona Brown stepped forth onto the stage during NYC Pride Week, in concert at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall.
Tona became the first African-American trans woman to perform at that storied venue, making “herstory” in a truly groundbreaking way. That milestone was just one of many highlights in Tona’s fascinating story of her life as a musician, vocalist, educator, and LGBTQ+ activist. Now, she shares her lived experiences in a wide-ranging new memoir, Tonacity: The Tona Brown Story, which encapsulates a series of interviews between the artist and Chris King, a St. Louis journalist.
The pair, through extensive conversations, delved into the tapestry of Tona’s life, rich with detail, and annotated by editor Meghan Sheehy, with academic and factual support, enhanced the narrative which centers on the realities of her life as a trans woman of color in America, and the manifold challenges that accompany that journey. Tona is unsparing in her discussion of the events that have shaped and impacted the many facets of her persona, even those painfully traumatic moments that most of us prefer not to speak of aloud.
This fine summer read will be of intertest to anyone who wishes to discover a different kind of story, away from the mainstream, but uplifting and enlightening in a manner all its own. The reader might even come away knowing a little more about themselves, seen through the lens of Tona’s unique story. You can find Tonacity: The Tona Brown Story on Amazon for Kindle, and in paperback and hardcover as well. The song of Tona’s extraordinary life will resonate well with all who travel through the pages of her story.