Adegbalola's father, Clarence R. Todd, was the first Black school board member in Fredericksburg, as well as a jazz musician.

[1] He founded a performing arts group for black youth called "Souls of Shade", today known as "Harambee 360° Experimental Theater.

"[2] Her mother, Gladys P. Todd, was an early organizer of local civil rights movement in Fredericksburg and she frequently brought home old jazz records from her job at the Youth Canteen to give to young Gaye.

During her time at Walker-Grant High School, she participated in numerous sit-in protests and picket lines as a member of the civil rights movement.

[3] Adegbalola's occupations after college included being a technical writer for TRW Systems, a biochemical researcher at Rockefeller University, and a bacteriologist at Harlem Hospital where she was also the local union representative.

[4] From 1966 to 1970, she was involved in the Black Power Movement in New York and she organized the Harlem Committee on Self-Defense, where she met individuals such as Audre Lorde.

[4][5] In 1970, Adgbalola returned to Fredericksburg, where she taught science, gifted and talented and creative thinking courses in local schools.

In addition to her own original compositions ("You Don't Have to Take It (Like I Did)," "Big Ovaries, Baby" and "Nothing's Changed"), the album had cover versions of songs by Bessie Smith, Smokey Robinson, Ma Rainey and Nina Simone.