Tina Murray, of Manassas, has been asked to sing not once but twice at Prince William County's Black History Month celebration this week honoring African American Women who have given back to their community.

The event, titled Black Women in American Culture and History, has been held by the Black History Month Committee of Prince William County for several years, and will take place on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. in the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge. 

The program will include a video presentation and keynote speaker.

Murray was asked by  Committee Member and Prince William County Employee Caroline Robinson to sing at the event.

"I've known her for years and she'd heard me sing before, so when they were looking for a singer for the event my face and name were the first to come to mind," Murray said.

The video presentation will feature interviews with area black women and what they've accomplished, but Murray said she also wants to convey the message of of hope and perseverance for the public audience.

That is why Murray has chosen to sing "Never Give Up" by Yolanda Adams on Thursday.

"I don't just sing, I minister," Murray said. "The healing that has happened on the inside of me comes out in my music."

Murray said she chose the Yolanda Adams song because "it is reflective of her life."

"I have been through hell and I am still here standing," Murray said. "The words are very powerful—just don't give up."

Murray, who recalled being in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship and desperately missing her mother who would have to leave for days at a time for work, said her voice is her livelihood, so when she was diagnosed with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ syndrome, she knew she would have to fight through it.

"I wouldn't be able to not sing," Murray said. The condition also caused Murray to lose hearing in her right ear—the ear she depends on to hear herself when she is singing.

Murray immediately began very rigorous and sometimes painful jaw exercises at the discretion of her doctor. "My first though was to fight through it for myself and those I minister to," she said.

Not only does Murray's voice allow her to earn a living, it also allows her to help area youth who may be dealing with the same challenges she's experienced in her life.

Murray started the nonprofit organization Project Infusion, Inc., which is a program of leadership, tutoring and after school programming for youth.  Project Infusion also works with at-risk youth in the Georgetown South community, with a program designed to show them "succeeding through achieving."

Murray books singing gigs to fund the organization.

Many of the Project Infusion youth have faced extremes in their adolescence— broken homes, suicide attempts, suspension for fighting, gang recruitment—and that is why Murray decided to also sing Whitney Houston's famous song "The Greatest Love of All" Thursday. A line from the song reads, "I believe the Children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way, show them all the beauty they possess inside.”

Murray, who has sung the National Anthem four or five time at Osbourn High School, says she still gets nervous before taking the stage.

"I am so honored and privileged that  people see the special gift God has given me, but I take ownership of that gift and it is very special to me," Murray said. "I get very emotional before I sing, so I meditate, practice and pray so I can replace the feeling of pressure with confidence and not forget the words."