Globally Award-Winning Anthem ‘America, I Can’t Breathe’ Bridges Civil Rights Legacy & Modern Social Justice 

Performed by gospel powerhouse Marvia Jean (MJ)—affectionately dubbed the “Modern Mahalia Jackson”—the project serves as a poignant bridge between the 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Movement and contemporary social justice. The track was penned, published and executively produced by her niece, Sandra Anderson (O’Neal)–who also supervised post-production and editing through her label, Write On Music, LLC. by her niece, Sandra Anderson (O’Neal), whose inspiration stems directly from her father’s lived experience as a peaceful protester beaten and jailed during the Birmingham Children’s Crusade in May 1963. The music video features model and actress Tyler ‘Tai’ Robinson as the young Marvia Jean.

“This is your time to shine.” Anderson (O’Neal) tells her Auntie that she wrote this song just for her; their recording process serves as a “haven” of positive affirmations and spiritual shorthand. “There is a Godly connection – without our faith, this success would not have been possible.”

Two-time Grammy Award-winning composer and father of Tai, Jonathan “Jon-John” Robinson (Diana Ross, TLC, Lady Gaga) composed the sweeping instrumentation based on original melodies provided by Anderson (O’Neal). Post-production was supervised and edited by Anderson (O’Neal) alongside video director Corey Brown (ArtsUntitled), the accompanying short film weaves a visual timeline from the 1955 open-casket funeral of Emmett Till to the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. 

The music video features model and actress, Tyler ‘Tai’ Robinson as the young Marvia Jean.