Tshila is a songwriter, artist, social and environmental activist. Growing up in Uganda, the arts and music resided in every fiber of her being, but she

When Tshila traveld througout Uganda and West Africa, she learned traditional music and how to  play indigenous instruments.  This inspired her to lear guitar and find her own voice.

resigned to focus on education. The study of reading, math and science took priority over the arts. Despite this, Tshila grew to honor her love for art, music and creative expression. She utilized these as forms of self-expression and activism for social change.

            Education is very important to Tshila's family. Her mother served as a Diplomat and Ambassador of Uganda and taught her daughters social and political change is done through education and political legislation.

            Tshila's mother guided her and her two sisters to study hard and pursue degrees through higher education. Tshila followed the wishes of her mother and society by earning a degree in software engineering from Valdosta State University in Georgia.

            After graduating from the University, Tshila returned to Uganda and embarked on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and exploration of Africa.  She traveled throughout Uganda and West Africa visiting villages and exploring their unique cultural identities. This included music and musical instruments.

            The adventure awakened Tshila's life purpose within her soul. She embraced

The album cover features the symbol of Yin and  Yang.  It symbolizes the duality of the universe and how seemingly contrary foces of nature are actualy interconnected and complimentary.

the warmth and beauty of her homeland Africa. The act of a young woman traveling alone is considered taboo and unorthodox, but she followed her heart anyway.

            Combining music, art and social justice, her unique sound is a fusion of traditional African music, poetry and hip-hop.  Her travels throughout Uganda and West Africa influenced her first album and infused it with an organic feel.  Authentic and motivated, she taught herself to play guitar and she found her voice.

            Tshila recorded and self-produced her first album, "Sipping FromThe Nile," in 2007. The album gained global recognition and the BBC World Service named her one of the best 20 unsigned artists in the world.

            In 2011 she posted the "Raw Truth" documentary on YouTube. The video illuminates the social and environmental conditions that inspired Tshila to follow her own truth. Michael Kirkpatrick, her manager and friend, came across "Raw Truth" and was deeply moved.

            He reached out to Tshila via social media. They began corresponding and eventually met in person when Michael traveled to Uganda.

            Kirkpatrick went to Pennridge high school and is a graduate of Lehigh University. With a passion for life and activism, he traveled the world following his own heart. When Tshila and Michael did meet, there was an immediate soul connection. They both share a passion for life and social change though artistic activism.

            In November of 2017, Tshila was in Washington D.C. visiting family. Her original plan was to head to Los Angeles. The universe and fate had other plans. With her car packed with personal belongings and equipment for creating music, she headed to Pennsylvania to visit Michael. During her visit with Michael, she required an emergency appendectomy and her plans to drive to L.A. were derailed. After the procedure, she needed to recuperate.  The Upper Perkiomen Valley became her place of healing and creative manifestation.

            As Tshila was gaining strength, she needed an outlet for her energy. Michael set up her music producing equipment. From there, her dream began to unfold.

            In December of 2018, Tshila released another self-produced album, "World in Crisis." The album speaks about the political and social challenges in the world. The voice of the album is expressed though the unique perspective of an African woman.  The videos include the beautiful landscapes of the Upper Perkiomen and Lehigh Valley.

            Tshila has become a part of our community. She instilled a sense of global community by performing at Make Music Upper Perk.  Inspiring youth is important to Tshila.  She remarked that "The greatest responsibility of a woman is to educate our youth."

            Her message to them is to trust themselves and see the connectivity in everything. Young people are open and fresh to concepts and ideas.

            When asked if she has a specific message for our youth, she replied, "I want them to know their inner power is the greatest power and to embrace it. I want them to trust themselves, spirit and sensibilities".

            In this writers mind, Tshila and Michael are kind, genuine and soulful. When Tshila was asked what is her message to humanity is, she replied, "One of the things I would like to do is show people that they can create change. When people realize the power is within them, change will occur."

            Tshila will be performing at Green Lane Naturals, March 1, 6 p.m..- 9 p.m.

            Readers can check out Tshila's music at https://tshila.com/ and the "Raw Truth" Documentary at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaSuF_zS0RY