Branjae Jackson Branjae is the personification of Black American Music. She is an artist, activist, dancer, singer, and actress who empowers women and inspires hope for us all. She asks “why not” through her music, challenging listeners to embrace their natural selves. Branjae is a fearless, headstrong, and energetic woman…
Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra Ruben “Beny” Esguerra arrived as a child to Tkaronto from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with his parents, who were receiving threats for their human rights activism. Today, he is a JUNO nominated multi-instrumentalist/producer, spoken-word poet, arts educator and community worker. in 2021, he was…
Tanaya Winder Tanaya Winder is an author, singer / songwriter, poet, and motivational speaker who comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, and Duckwater Shoshone Nations where she is an enrolled citizen. She received a BA in English from Stanford University and a MFA in creative…
Vanessa Lively Vanessa Lively is an eclectic, bilingual songwriter and nonprofit founder who brings passion and fire to her heart-centric writing style and way of living. Margaret Moser of The Austin Chronicle describes Vanessa’s music as “folk music on fire with worldly rhythms and a Latin pulse.” In 2017, Vanessa…
Dayo Ayodele Dayo Ayodele heralds from the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria. As the group leader of the African indie band, Afrosonics, community building and music are where his true devotions lie. The origins of all music can be traced back to Africa and he honors this tradition by singing and…
Enrique Chi Enrique Chi is the guitarist and songwriter of psychedelic Panamanian band Making Movies, whose critically acclaimed album - XOPA - has lifted the group into international acclaim. XOPA reached #1 album on the NACC Latin Music chart and was praised by NPR, Afropunk, and Remezcla for its unique…
Jasiri X Jasiri X is the first independent Hip-Hop artist to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate, which he received from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2016. This recognition grew out of the spiritual/political urgency and artistic vision he shared on songs like “Justice For Trayvon” and “Strange Fruit”, which documented the…
Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley (AKA RaShad Eas) is a Forester, educator, consultant, and musician. Over his career he has been the inaugural diversity Dean at the Yale University’s School of the Environment and NC State’s College of Natural Resources. As a child of civil rights activists…
Kamica King Kamica King is a soul singer-songwriter, board-certified music therapist, and Founder/CEO of King Creative Arts Expressions (KCAE) which specializes in interactive, arts-based programs that promote health and social-emotional wellness. As seen on NBC, ABC and Fox, Kamica has been featured as a speaker, clinician, and vocalist around the…
Kyshona Armstrong Kyshona is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Over the years, Kyshona has fused her profession as a music therapist with her songwriting skills and experience and now teaches songwriting to those who exist in the margins of society. Through songwriting, she has had the privilege to work…
