Princess Diaries ft: Dr. Christal Brown Heyward

In this special episode, we welcome Dr. Christal Brown Heyward, a Charleston, South Carolina native whose extraordinary journey beautifully brings together music, faith, education, scholarship, and healing. An acclaimed gospel singer, psalmist, pianist, author, grief educator, and visionary leader, Dr. Brown Heyward has dedicated her life to using music as a vehicle for hope, restoration, and spiritual transformation. As the founder and owner of Gibson Academy of Music, she is passionate about cultivating the next generation of musicians and helping young people develop their musical gifts. Her commitment to healing extends beyond music through her work as an author and grief educator, helping individuals navigate loss through faith and community. Dr. Brown Heyward also earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where her thesis, “Joy and Pain: The Marriage Between Music and Mourning in Black Ecclesial Tradition,” explored the powerful relationship between music, grief, worship, and resilience within the Black church tradition. In this heartfelt conversation, we discuss her journey, the enduring influence of gospel music, the healing power of song, and how she continues to inspire others through education, ministry, scholarship, and service.