Tracee Ellis Ross is still processing her role in this world. Her quirky sense of humor and infectious personality are synonymous with some of the best parts of television over the past two decades. And when shes speaking truth to power off set, it feels like a manageable load that viewers can carry. She offers a dose of levity with the gravity of heavy situations.

In May, the actor was promoting The High Note, which is available on video on demand, Blu-ray and DVD. In the film, she stars as Grace Davis, an aging pop icon who has to choose between taking on a Las Vegas residency and coasting on her laurels or going against her record labels advice and creating new music.

But when the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other Black people killed by police sparked global protests amid the coronavirus pandemic, Ross knew she needed to press pause. Instead of powering through media interviews in June, she took that time to reset, connect with activists such as Brittany Packnett and Patrisse Cullors and publicly advocate for racial justice.

This is really an unprecedented time that is combined in a pandemic that is disproportionately affecting our people, Ross said in an interview with HuffPost. The one thing that I want to do is be with people, be with my people, meet with people that I love, look into each others eyes, hold each others hands, be in spaces of collective joy with each other as a space of healing, and that is not on the table. You know? Its not easy.

In an era seeped in blood from both COVID-19 and systemic racism, Ross wants to make sure Black people are clinging on to the things that make them happy. Not just now, but always.

In the face of racism, the ability to dream is revolutionary, she said. And the ability to hold joy, experience joy and be in joy is also part of that resistance.

For the Black-ish actor, a part of that process has meant showing up as her full self in every project she takes on. Ross said her role in The High Note was an experience of unbridled freedom and joy. She made her singing debut for the film, releasing five songs for the soundtrack. Its not the first time fans have gotten a sample of Ross vocals. Shes hit a melodic note or two in past series, including The Lyricist Lounge Show and Girlfriends. But her effort for The High Note was a huge leap in comparison.