Alan Scott

“Colors in a Dream “ began as salute to Martin Luther King Jr. 

The 50th anniversary of his passing caused me to reflect on his legacy. To reflect on how far America has come in 2018. King had the power to bring out the best in people through difficult times. To hold up a mirror to the promise of the American Dream. To champion justice in a time of great inequity. Not just for some, but for all. 

I have always felt a strong bond to this great leader. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Washington past my mother’s D.C. apartment when I was 5 days old. She watched from the window as the March went down the street in front of us. Continuing the legacy of freedom and equality is something I have felt throughout my life. It’s a part of my own origin story. 

My vision for this song developed a more timely resonance when children, many of them non verbal infants and toddlers, were separated from their parents. The pictures of children in internment camps and appearing in court rooms with no representation chilled me to the bone. 

I wanted to send a message to the world that we do not accept the destruction of children’s lives and separation of families. Whether it is a Detention Center for children, a DACA recipient living in fear of deportation or, most tragically, a loss of life in a culture of gun violence, I do not accept it. So I want to foster another culture -- one that uses votes to change the world, to spare children and their families from destruction and separation. A culture of family voting as family empowerment. 

I recorded the song with producer Mark Williams of Sucker Punch Recording. This was a major team effort with a horn section, drum ensemble, background vocals, and multiple keyboards. 

I then set about doing a video project to further convey issues that inspired the song. I was fortunate to find a kindred spirit in Director Lenny Bass. 

Lenny contacted all of the amazing people in the video with help of our Producer Carolina Nunez. I want to thank everyone who participated, including: 

Jammal Lemy of March For Our Lives, DACA Recipient Maria Angelica Ramirez of Soy Poderosa, and Laura Munoz of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. 

Special thanks to Manuel Oliver, father of Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Joaquin Oliver. Joaquin and 16 other children were lost on February 14 this year to gun violence. Manuel is a brilliant visual artist and we are fortunate to feature a sample of his evocative artistry in “Colors in a Dream “. 

The mission of the video is to inspire all people to feel empowered to vote, empowered to change the circumstances that harm families. To let first time and future voters know their vote matters. They have the power to shape the future of America.