From Ethiopia to D.C. and from White House staffer to R&B singer. It goes almost without saying that the story of how Wayna got to the point she's at today is quite unique. But the important thing is that she got here and we're richer for it.

On her second release, Higher Ground, Wayna builds off her Moments of Clarity debut to deliver a strong sophomore effort where she explores the themes of love, disappointment and office politics. Always insightful and backed by a talented lineup of local producers, Wayna and her vocal talents represent the best of what the D.C. soul scene has to offer.

Visit Wayna online at: www.myapce.com/waynamusic

Find her music at: CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody or Kemp Hill Music stores

See her next at: Jazzy Summer Nights featuring Bilal in Baltimore's Hopkins Plaza on June 5.

Questions for Wayna:

We read that you had previously worked in the Clinton administration. How long were you there and what did you do in that post?

I worked at the Clinton White House for 3 1/2 years. I started out as a researcher in the Office of Speechwriting, where I worked for the first African American to serve as a presidential speechwriter, and went on to work as a writer in the Office of Presidential Letters and Messages, where I wrote presidential proclaimations and commemorative messages regarding international relations, the economy, women's issues and trade.

It seems to be a radical departure from the Clinton White House/political work to being an indie soul singer. Did you have a great epiphany about making this transition or was it something you were always planning? Or are you still working in that world?

No, I'm strictly an indie artist now and at the time it was a radical departure. I had graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in English and Speech Communication, and although I had always dreamed of being an artist, I put that on the back burner, mainly because my family had placed a lot of emphasis on education and becoming a professional. But even in that exciting work environment, I wasn't fulfilled. Over time, it became increasingly clear that my real passion and my strongest talents were in music. It was a scary leap at first, because my family was so proud of where I was and where I appeared to be going, but I had to become the first person to really believe in myself, enough to risk everything I had been building.

Photo courtesy Wayna

Do you find any similarities between these two worlds or draw on any lessons learned from your previous line of work that you apply to your career as a singer?

Absolutely. Both worlds are filled with extraordinary people who are brilliant at what they do. Both worlds demand every drop of your ability to really make it, and both worlds are creative, although now I am the one guiding the ship in terms of what the message and tone is. In general though, excellence rubs off, and being around so many excellent people at the White House and being held to a very high standard there early in my career has certainly shaped my outlook and trained me to aim high.

Who would you list as your influences and why?

Minnie Riperton for being sweet, spiritual and sassy all at the same time, her melodies were so magical It was as if a bird was whispering in her ear. Donny Hathaway for the purity and honesty of his voice. Roberta Flack for her effortless genius, she reminds me to never try to sound like anybody, and Billie Holiday, whom I'm convinced was my auntie in another life. I just love the way she dances over a band like butterfly. You'd never know where her phrasing would land, but it was always on time.

On your MySpace page you have a ringing endorsement from Stevie Wonder. How did that come about? What does that mean to you?

It means the world to me. It happened about 4 years ago, I was doing a show at the Temple Bar in L.A. with Ayanna Gregory, and he was a guest of hers. He asked to speak with me after my show and was just so generous and kind, and told the crowd later that my voice reminded him of Syreeta's (Motown artist Syreeta Wright). We've kept in touch since then, he interviewed me for his radio station, and I saw him perform at the MCI Center. I'm just glad that I've gotten to see someone that beautiful and brilliant up close. Like I said, excellence rubs off so, God willing, more of his will rub off on me!

Where do you tend to draw the inspiration for your songs from?

More than anything, I want my work to tell the untold story. Everyone's life story is poetic and powerful in some way, and I like finding that beauty and trying to convey it. That is the real gift of music, that it's a testament to our universality. I was doing an FYE tour recently, and I used to begin by asking people what kind of music they listened to, and nearly everyone said they listened to every genre. So here it is, this incredible medium where we can really communicate our shared experiences in a way that makes people feel more connected and understood, and that gives a voice to people who wouldn't otherwise have one. That's the most exciting and purposeful part for me.

Tell us about your latest release, Higher Ground. What were you trying to achieve with the album?

With Higher Ground, I wanted to build on the foundation of Moments of Clarity and to really experiment with new sounds and song ideas. The first album was a lot more about me and my own journey to adulthood. I wanted this project to be more about the people I was encountering. I'd learned a lot on the road as an artist, I lived and worked in Ethiopia for three months during the production of the album, and I wanted the work to reflect more of what I'd seen and how I'd grown.

On the album, you did a cover of Minnie Riperton’s "Loving You". Besides being a fan of Ms. Riperton, was there any other impetus for having this track on the album?

Well, it started out as a tribute to her I would do live. Over time, I wrote an original verse that talked about my relationship with music. So instead of the song being about a lover (which is what most of us assume, though its actually about Minnie's daughter, Maya Rudolph) it's about my relationship with music, and that despite all the ups and downs, I love it and "see its soul come shining through." So, it was a reminder to me of why I fight the good fight and of the musical heroine who inspires me the most.

For Higher Ground, you tapped into a lot of locally based talent for both production work and additional vocal on tracks. Could you name some of them? How did you form relationships with these individuals?

Sure. Kokayi, an incredible emcee, producer and writer produced the first single "Moonlight Rendezvous", which landed at #3 on Billboard after seven weeks on the charts. He's also the voice beat boxing on "Loving You". We met through a mutual friend and have continued to collaborate for years. Muhsinah is a true gem and star on the rise. She produced and co-wrote "Billie Club", which was one of those experiences where you feel like God is in the studio because it came together very seamlessly. Kenn Starr is one of my brothers from the Low Budget family, with whom I love to work. Speaking of Low Budget, Roddy Rod, DJ, producer and emcee extraordinaire, was really my go-to guy on anything and everything that needed a special touch. He produced two tracks and blessed many others with his signature sound. And Kev Brown lent his genius to three tracks, which came together very sweetly, too.

What are your feelings about the current state of the D.C. soul/R&B/hip-hop scene? Who are you listening to among this set?

All the artists I mentioned are making incredible music. Bilal Salaam is dope, Dre King has an album that is great. Cy Young is, in my mind, one of the greatest emcees I've ever heard, and his new album is out and crazy. Kaimbr is another incredible performer and producer whose making wonderful work. As far as the future goes, I'm keeping my eye on Alison Carney. Her voice is crazy, and she's going to make some big waves.

There's no doubt that we have an incredible amount of talent here, as well as real music lovers who demand a lot from their performers so that makes us all better. The established artists doing classic soul & hip hop always come here because it is their best market, so the demand is there. But the industry here hasn't given D.C.-based talent enough of the platform or push we need to really make the city proud. We need more support from radio, from promoters, from record stores and then I think you'll see D.C. making a real mark in music today, like Atlanta or Philadelphia. It's really up to us to keep developing worthy art, and to our listeners who can demand the industry here take more notice.

What’s next on your agenda? Are there any collaborations or albums we can expect from you in the immediate future?

I am working on an Ethiopian EP called lageray, meaning roughly "for my people," which I will release this summer. I'm going to do some singing in Amharic and incorporate traditional Ethiopian instruments in the production. I'm going to release the second single from Higher Ground with a video and another FYE tour. And I'll be on the road promoting the project, so please check in at www.myspace.com/waynamusic for shows in your area.