Josh Lay: Power of One

Day 8 | Black Futures Cypher – The Power of One

For Josh Lay, The Power of One is both a personal conviction and a collective truth. A Baltimore native and seasoned vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Lay’s work reflects a lifelong commitment to unity, service, and faith—values that guide his music onstage and his impact behind the scenes.

A proud graduate of Baltimore City College High School, Josh Lay went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University. During his time there, his musical journey expanded globally, performing alongside legendary artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Stevie Wonder. Those experiences shaped not only his artistry, but his understanding of collaboration, discipline, and purpose.

The Power of One

To Josh Lay, The Power of One means recognizing individual strength while honoring the amplified power of togetherness. He believes that when people unite with shared intention, they can shift atmospheres and create real change. “We are strong individually,” he says, “but much stronger together.” That belief sits at the heart of his contribution to the Black Futures Cypher.

Art Beyond the Spotlight

Josh’s artistry extends far beyond the lights and applause. While performance has taken him around the world, he is most fulfilled sowing seeds behind the scenes—teaching, mentoring, and helping others grow. Whether directly or indirectly, his work consistently leaves people with something positive to carry forward. Learning, encouragement, and quiet leadership are core to how he shows up as an artist and community member.

The Black Futures Cypher Contribution

His piece for the Black Futures Cypher was inspired by the many organizations and unified efforts he has witnessed making tangible change for Black communities. Through lyrics centered on unity and faith, Josh wanted listeners to hear a simple but powerful message: with God and with one another, major change is not only possible—it’s inevitable.

Lines like “One voice, one sound… It’s so incredible what we can do together” echo his belief that collective effort, when grounded in purpose, creates a future that is both hopeful and resilient.

Roots, Influence, and Creative Lineage

Josh Lay credits his father as an early musical influence—someone who encouraged him to embrace uniqueness and develop his own sound. As his journey continued, he drew inspiration from artists both locally and abroad, shaping a creative identity rooted in openness, excellence, and faith.

Over the years, Josh has written, sung, and produced Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award–winning projects, with his work appearing across television and film. He is also the founder of several family-based companies, including Left Brain Productions, The Natives, and So Far, So God—ventures that reflect his commitment to creativity, legacy, and shared growth.

One Action Toward Collective Change

Josh’s call to action is simple and deeply human: reach out to one another. A conversation, an introduction, a helping hand—these small acts can change the trajectory of someone’s life or career. “You’d be surprised,” he says, “how much impact one person can have just by showing up.”

Follow Josh Lay:
Facebook: Joshua Lay
Instagram: @Josh_lay1

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About the Series: 28 Days of Black Futures

This artist profile is part of 28 Days of Black Futures, a month-long cultural offering presented by CLLCTIVLY, a Baltimore-rooted ecosystem cultivating collective imagination, narrative power, and resource mobilization for Black futures.

Throughout February, the award-winning Black Futures Cypher—architected by Jamye Wooten and produced under the creative direction of Von Vargas—features 28 artists, one each day, sharing original work inspired by this year’s theme, The Power of One.

A new artist feature is released daily during Black History Month. Learn more and support the ecosystem behind this work at cllctivly.org.