Killing Me Softly - A Love Letter to Roberta Flack

In celebration of the genius that is Roberta Flack, in remembrance of her genre-defying, bold and brilliant artistry, and in honor of her social justice and love centered messages, Munit Mesfin and the First Take Band convey the story of Roberta Flack. Using both original compositions as well as music from Flack’s canon Mesfin explores the Arlington legend’s journey, her friendships that shaped her music, the way she invented and reinvented herself as she killed us softly with her song. It is significant that this 5-time Grammy-award winning musician who passed away on February 24, 2025, lived her formative years in Arlington’s historically African American Green Valley neighborhood. She grew up playing organ at Macedonia Baptist Church and Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion, and attending the Hoffman-Boston High School, where she was voted “Most Musical”! This project will celebrate Roberta Flack’s place in Arlington’s history using her music, her social justice activism, and her children’s book for a multi-generational, multi-disciplinary experience. Prior to her passing, Munit had the tremendous honor of having played for Roberta Flack at her apartment in New York in 2023 and 2024.

Munit Mesfin is an award-winning Ethiopian American singer, songwriter, teaching artist, MC, and a Pan-African who uses her art to advocate for peace, human rights and justice. Munit has performed in Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Germany, Spain, and across the US. Regionally she has appeared at the Smithsonian National Museum for African Art, the Kennedy Center, Mr. Henry's, and Blues Alley. She has been featured on Voice of America, SABC in South Africa, and Deutschewelle Radio among other media outlets. Mesfin loves creating community through music for all ages in her own soul, jazz or reggae band, with her children as Munit and Z Lovebugs and through the global music collective, Project Locrea!

Host or Publisher Arlington Cultural Affairs