CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Let There Be Music

August 6, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

A friend from a social media site sent me a message, inviting me to attend a concert at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, on August 1st. She included information about the headliner, Clint Breeze, who was to be joined by Louisville Kentucky Hammond organist Kendal “Keys” Carter, and Indianapolis saxophonist … Read More

Black Men Can’t Swim

July 30, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

In a conversation with an Indianapolis Indiana native, I noted that the high school that I attended in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania had a swimming pool in the basement. That person was surprised, saying that her high school did not have a pool. I told her that I was on the school’s … Read More

Lashes Nails and Beards

July 23, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

The woman on the program I was watching had eyelashes that resembled great black bats; when she raised her hands, she showed fake nails that were inches longer than her own. Not for the first time, I wondered how people were able to negotiate life with window shades that blocked … Read More

Making Community

July 16, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

From the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Sixth Edition: “Community- 7; social intercourse; communion; fellowship, sense of common identity.’ I am a tenor voice in Harmony Collected, a choral group organized by the Irvington Arts Collective. Dr. Webb Parker, the founding artistic and executive director of the group, will often have … Read More

Good Vibes

July 9, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

My friend told me that she had responded to a notification about a house concert that was going to feature one of the musicians that we follow. Paula Nicewanger, co-owner of this publication, said that she included me in the invitation. On Monday, June 29th, we went to a Clear … Read More