Finding Harmony
An Interview with R&B Group Shai's Garfield Bright
I’ll admit it: I’m a fan first. As a teenager, I sang Shai songs like my life depended on it, harmonizing to “If I Ever Fall in Love” and “Comforter” and feeling every word. But what truly makes Garfield Bright unforgettable isn’t just his music; it’s how he transitioned from topping the charts to making a profound impact in education and community leadership.
As a founding member of the iconic ’90s R&B group Shai, Garfield became a voice of a generation. Today, he’s using that same voice to inspire and empower, blending his creative talents with his scholarship as a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies.
In this interview, we dive into Garfield’s journey, from serenading millions to uplifting communities, and the lessons he’s learned about staying true to yourself in every space you enter. Whether you’re a fan of his music, his message, or both, this conversation is a powerful reminder of the harmony between art and purpose.
Faye:
Okay, I am so excited. Thank you for doing this. You’ve had such an incredible journey—going from being a chart-topping artist to pursuing your PhD and diving into so many different areas. Can you share what inspired you to take those leaps and how you’ve navigated such a multifaceted career?
Garfield Bright:
I’ve always been unapologetically me, but I’ve never taken myself too seriously or let myself get stuck in one box. I kind of flow with life. A lot of people hesitate, waiting for everything to be perfect before they make a move, but I’ve always trusted the Spirit to guide me. Whether I’m swimming upstream or going with the current, I just go. When I end up in new situations, I either sink or swim. Thankfully, I usually swim. That approach has opened doors I didn’t even know existed and connected me to communities I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
Growing up, my parents divorced when I was nine, so I spent my childhood bouncing between two very different worlds: Boston with my dad and Montgomery, Alabama, with my mom. Those experiences forced me to learn how to read people and situations early on for self-preservation. I got really good at recognizing patterns in people—their energy, their actions—and figuring out who to trust or avoid. That skill gave me the confidence to take risks that didn’t feel like risks to me because I trusted my intuition.
That confidence carried me through adulthood, especially in my dissertation work. I studied how Black men navigate spaces where power is distributed inequitably. I focused on two areas I knew well: the classroom and the music industry. On the surface, they seem like separate worlds, but I found commonalities. That’s been the theme of my life—connecting dots between worlds that most people don’t see as related.
Even when I’ve been in unfamiliar places—whether overseas in Europe or in spaces where no one looked like me—I’ve always searched for commonalities. That’s how I connect and learn. I believe people are fundamentally similar, and that understanding has shaped everything, from my work as an artist to my time as an educator.
Faye:
You mentioned harmonizing with your surroundings. How do you think that skill has helped you connect with others in such diverse spaces, like classrooms or juvenile detention centers?
Garfield Bright:
It’s been essential. When I worked with kids in alternative school settings or juvenile detention centers, I saw their brilliance and connected with them in ways others couldn’t. I knew they didn’t care about content until they knew I cared about them. Once that trust was there, everything changed. I adapted to their learning styles instead of forcing them to fit into mine. It’s the same approach I’ve used throughout my life: harmonizing with the environment I’m in while staying true to myself.
Faye:
That ability to adapt while staying true to yourself reminds me of conversations about code-switching. What’s your take on how people navigate different spaces without losing authenticity?
Garfield Bright:
I think of it as bringing something new to the table, not changing who I am. When I step into a space, I’m at an angle they haven’t seen before. It’s like geometry—every angle in a triangle contributes to the whole. When we see ourselves as part of a collective, we can learn from each other’s perspectives instead of being at odds.
All interactions are transactions. When we engage with each other, we exchange energy and perspectives. If we approach those interactions with an open mind, they become opportunities for growth. I’ve always felt that’s what we’re here for as humans: to learn and evolve through connection.
Faye:
That’s such a powerful mindset—and so needed right now. In times of disconnection, do you have a mantra or practice that helps you stay grounded?
Garfield Bright:
I do this thing I call the “Focus Power Series.” I think of it as talking to my higher self. I’ll say, “Focus power, attract prosperity, beauty, and peace.” It’s like setting my intention for the day. I swear, when I do that, all my interactions seem to align with those elements. Words have power, and when you place them intentionally, they shape your reality.
I also visualize. In a meditative state, I imagine myself inside a tetrahedron, spinning in harmony with the universe. I choose a color for the day—today it’s purple—and imagine that energy spreading through the world. It sounds abstract, but I believe we’re magnetic beings, and our energy influences the spaces around us.
Faye:
That’s such a beautiful way to approach life. Who or what influenced this perspective?
Garfield Bright:
My parents definitely played a role. My dad grew up in the projects but climbed to the top of corporate America through resilience and instincts. My mom, this elegant Southern woman, mentored girls from tough neighborhoods, connecting with them through her core humanity. From them, I learned the value of connection and service.
Music also shaped me. I’ve always been fascinated by harmony—finding the notes that complement a melody. That practice bled into how I approach life. When I step into a new environment, I instinctively look for ways to harmonize with the people and energy around me. It’s how I adapt while staying true to myself.
Faye:
Your musical background is so deeply tied to how you see the world. Are there any books or resources you’d recommend to help others tap into that kind of perspective?
Garfield Bright:
Absolutely. Check out The Art of Being and Becoming and The Music of Life by Hazrat Inayat Khan. Both books explore the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of life and music. Another great one is Of Water and the Spirit by Malidoma Patrice Somé—it’s a powerful coming-of-age story rooted in African spiritual traditions.
And of course, my book, Lotus 3013! It’s set in the year 3013, where hip-hop is falsely believed to be a white cultural invention. The story explores how Blackness is commodified and used as a resource while its origins are erased. You can find it through the link on my Instagram.
Faye:
Those sound amazing. This has been such an inspiring conversation. Any final advice for readers navigating their own journeys?
Garfield Bright:
Always be unapologetically you, in every space. That’s it.
Faye:
Thank you, Garfield. This was incredible.
Garfield Bright:
Thank you.