The Donny Hathaway Legacy Project: Healing Through Music, Memory, and Love on his 80th Birthday

Eric Roberson giving remarks toward the support of Donnita Hathaway's work to honor her father Donny Hathaway within the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project

• Highlight - On what would have been Donny Hathaway’s 80th birthday, his youngest daughter Donnita Hathaway launched The Donny Hathaway Legacy Project — a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating her father’s genius and advancing mental wellness through music, art, and community healing.

• Context - The celebration, held on October 1, 2025, marked a turning point in how the world honors one of the most profound voices in American music history. Hosted in Atlanta and supported by leaders from the music, arts, entertainment, wellness, and mental health communities, the evening was filled with love, remembrance, and restoration. The event’s media coverage was beautifully captured by two-time Emmy Award–winning filmmakers, The Horne Brothers, whose work as documentarians ensures that moments like this live far beyond a single night.

  Throughout the evening, attendees reflected on Donny Hathaway’s immense influence—from his duets with Roberta Flack to the way his soulful compositions have shaped generations of artists including Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, Common, Usher, and Stevie Wonder. Yet what made this event extraordinary was its honesty. It honored the brilliance and the humanity—the joy and the pain—of a man whose music carried light through darkness.

  GRAMMY-nominated artist Eric Roberson, who performed and shared reflections, said that it felt divinely aligned to be there. “Music is healing,” he reminded the crowd, “and Donny Hathaway’s gift continues to heal us all.” His words captured the night’s spirit—a room filled with creators, healers, and believers who understand that artistry is one of God’s most powerful tools for wholeness.

  There were more moving moments as Gary “Lil G” Jenkins, lead singer of the legendary R&B group Silk, blessed attendees with his unmistakable voice, while cast members from “The Voices of Donny Hathaway”, the theatrical tribute directed by Robert King Jr., performed selections that brought both tears and joy. Each performance reminded the audience that the same songs which once gave hope to a generation still carry medicine for today.

  When Donnita Hathaway took the microphone, her words carried the emotion of a daughter, a leader, and a vessel of divine purpose:

“I am overwhelmed with emotion. I’ve been thinking about this day for the past 10 years—wanting my father to be acknowledged for his musical contributions. Eighty is such a pristine age, and I really wish that he could be here. The fact that I decided to launch my nonprofit, The Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, on such a special day… I’m just completely full.” - Donnita Hathaway

Her words reflected what the entire night represented — faith in action, the power of persistence, and the miracle of dreams fulfilled in their appointed season.

The Project itself bridges the power of creativity and the necessity of healing. It’s dedicated to high-quality mental and emotional wellness programming aimed especially at Black creatives, youth, and communities of color, who continue to face disproportionate struggles with mental health. In partnership with experts and cultural advocates, the organization seeks to ensure that Donny Hathaway’s legacy goes beyond music—it becomes a movement for mental wellness, education, and hope.

Industry leader Gerald Keys, Chief of Production for The Ludacris Foundation and CEO of Prompt Haus, underscored the urgency of that mission. “In our communities,” he shared, “we’ve learned to be so strong that sometimes our resilience can backfire. We have to remember to heal, too.”

The night closed with gratitude and anticipation. As Donnita and the Project’s Vice President reflected, the event had been ten years in the making—a true testament to what can happen when faith and vision stay steady through the storms. The VP beautifully noted her desire to see “Donnita’s replacement and her replacement’s replacement continue this work long into the future.”

It was a night of music and mission—a celebration of how healing, like harmony, multiplies when shared..

Tips/Key Take-A-Ways

• Healing Takes Harmony– Music doesn’t just entertain; it restores. Let what you listen to become part of your healing soundtrack.

• Legacy is a Living Thing – Donnita Hathaway reminds us that purpose doesn’t end with one generation; it evolves through the next. Your faithfulness keeps your family’s light alive.

• Speak Truth About Mental Health– As Gerald Keys noted, strength without rest can break us. Healing starts with honesty—and there’s power in getting help, praying through, and staying connected.

Next Steps & Questions to Ask Yourself

• Mindful Reflection: Lord, what healing melody are You writing through my life, and how can I use my gifts to help others feel whole again?

• Explore Resources: For more mindful tools and playlists rooted in faith and wellness, visit our official compensated Amazon Influencer page, download the Chill Sister App, or check the resources page at HipHopTruth.com.