Anisa is a talented musician from the south side of Chicago. She never limits her artistry and enjoys all forms of art with her main medium being music. Her passion for music has been prevalent all her life. Anisa has been a musician and performer for over 13 years. Her first instrument was violin at the age of 7. Her main instrument is now flute, which she taught herself at age 12. She continues to channel her emotions into every note she plays. Anisa has won countless awards for her musicianship, been chosen to study in a masterclass with the second chair flutist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Emma Gerstein, and has attended and performed at UIC Jazz festival two years in a row. Her most recent highlight being the opportunity to perform at the DNC with John Walt Foundation. Anisa is well rounded in the music scene and has been featured on songs with her flute for other artists, music cover art, music videos, and a documentary. Anisa’s passion and drive has led her through so many doors and she continues to shine through!

Cultivating a lyricism with an intriguing philosophical grain, G HOVA's (formerly CityBoiGreg) poetically enlivened voice transports listeners from the acoustics of his Baton Rouge bedroom studio to new depths of sound, soul and mind, both his and theirs.

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, LA, G HOVA (Gregory, Greg) didn’t throw himself into his craft until the age of 20, after a car crash provided him with the tools necessary to nourish a dream that started as a playful conversation with a close friend. Before that, Greg was a college student in his junior year, attending the illustrious Grambling State University, studying Mass Communications while simultaneously finding a way to leave his imprint on the world. Now at 24, G HOVA is walking in a rhythmic, poetic prowess that breathes its own kind of life from his pen to the paper, to the microphone, all the way to the audience.

Cortez Stewart is a 21 year old from Chicago’s Southside. Before starting a career as a professional poet and musician, he was a student. He attended John Hancock College Prep where he won the annual talent show and competed in Rooted & Radical, a youth poetry festival formerly known as Louder Than A Bomb, for four years. Cortez was featured in the Chicago Sun Times for starting his school's Black Student Union and addressing racial insensitivity within CPS. After graduating high school in 2021 and having his poetry published by respected outlets such as the Chicago Sun-Times and South Side Weekly, Cortez was hired by several writing/ entertainment organizations and companies as a multidisciplinary artist and performed all over Chicago including Lollapalooza, the Chicago Peace Festival, the Silver Room Block Party, and many others.

EndyB is a multi-hyphenated artist from the West Side of Chicago with a background in performance. This ranged from background dancing for local artists, to rapping, and reciting poetry for her student body. In 2023, she expanded her creative journey into filmmaking! She has written short films and directed a music video. With the support of the John Walt Foundation, Endya began developing her skills as a rapper. Continuously evolving, she is excited to see what heights her artistic path will take her next.

Fydele is a hip-hop artist and songwriter from the westside of Chicago who creates Neo Soul, Alternative, Jazzy, and R&B music. He’s also the creator & founder of Fynd Life Media. His passion for music was ignited during his childhood when he watched his late cousin, Chali Mack, create music in the studio. At the age of 10, Fydele recognized his own musical gift, but it wasn't until 2021, following the passing of his mother, that he began taking it seriously. In that same year, he released his first LP called "One Eleven, " which focuses on mental health and wellness. Fydele draws inspiration from artists like Chance The Rapper, Saba, Kota The Friend, J. Cole, and Mac Miller, who played a significant role in saving his life through their music. Now, he aims to give back to his supporters and fans, hoping to make a positive impact on others' lives with his own gifts. Fydele's motto, "I do it for those who need it," reflects his dedication to serving the people and his community. He considers his supporters as "FyndFam", emphasizing the lasting bond he shares with them

Since an early age, Kam has had a strong dedication to public service and community involvement, specifically focusing on the black community. Each year, he chooses to dedicate his birthday to a charitable cause, supporting both national and international projects. Through his unfaltering dedication to giving back, he has been able to gather funds for several missions, including a life-changing journey to South Africa through the sale of Christian-based apparel. In collaboration with nonprofits, he provided essential supplies to southern Texas groups aiding young moms who just crossed the border. This experience profoundly impacted his perspective on poverty and family, reinforcing his dedication to human rights.

In addition to Kam’s humanitarian efforts, he is a natural-born creative who has discovered a profound passion for fashion styling. Over the last couple of years, he had the privilege of working with numerous brands and artists, showcasing a keen eye for style and a flair for creativity. His portfolio includes styling for fashion shows and photoshoots, where his innovative approach and meticulous attention to detail are evident. Whether working behind the scenes or on the runway, his work reflects a unique blend of artistic vision and practical expertise.

Kam’s journey in fashion styling is stamped by a commitment to excellence and a deep passion for helping others. He prides himself on showing people the beauty of attainable high fashion. The ability to blend creativity with a strong sense of social responsibility distinguishes him as both a talented stylist and a dedicated advocate for change. He is driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, both through fashion and through his ongoing efforts to support and uplift communities in need, known as !CONiK.

Hailing from the West$ide part of Chicago, Mike DFG is one of the most versatile and underrated artists in the bubbling Chicago underground and brings a fresh perspective to the hip-hop world. With his iconic voice, wide array of songs for all music tastes and a captivating stage presence, he’s been making waves as a favorite in the underground scene for years. On his song “W$L” His style blends energetic Hip-Hop and Trap beats in ways that can only be described as anthemic. Providing a raw and unfiltered glimpse into his world, a journey through the highs and lows of life in Chicago.

Teresa, also known as T is a Latina photographer and filmmaker from Chicago. She draws her inspiration from the graffiti/art culture in Pilsen and her family’s life before her own.

Vallesia Robinson is an 18-year-old African American woman from Chicago and a proud alumnus of Michele Clark High School. She is currently a freshman at Illinois State University and actively engages in her community. Vallesia has participated in various programs, including the Gender Sexuality Alliance, National Honor Society, Women of Color in Education, John Walt Foundation, and the CTU Healing Initiative. In her second year with the John Walt Foundation, she created a mural for Lollapalooza.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Vallesia volunteers at food drives and works with Junior Achievement to teach youth essential money management skills. She has served as a mentor to young Black women and is recognized as a youth ambassador. Passionate about self-expression through art, Vallesia practices many forms of art, with a primary focus on drawing. She has been creating art since the age of three and has been dancing since she was twelve.

Her ultimate goal is not to become a performing artist but to pursue a career as an art psychologist for children. Vallesia dreams of healing generational trauma within her community through artistic expression.

Chicago born artist, Yessi Oasis, is a neplantera (border crosser) between multiple identities, realms, truth telling and wisdom keeping. Host of the podcast the art of reclamation, Yessi is a revolutionary lover, multi-hyphenated creative, spatial designer, world traveler, and a poet mystic. As someone who encompasses many identities, Yessi finds it essential to create work that is representation of their lived experience as a brown, neurodiverse, indigiqueer and testimonial witnessing of black and brown folx around them. Their life’s work is soul driven towards the contribution of collective consciousness raising, deeper  self-innerstanding, and building bridges between towards the reclamation of  ancestral wisdom to infuse and move culture forwards.

Young(In) is a rapper from the south side of Chicago who knows little limits when it comes to writing as a whole. Whether it's poetry, noveling, or coming with a bar, he’s contributing a lot of ideas to those mediums.

Young(In) uses writing as an outlet of escape in order to create different worlds for him to get lost in, tell stories he didn’t have the gall to tell some years ago, and just simply let some words go that he’s been holding on to. 

In other words, Young(In) writes. A lot.

Kyla Jada Turner was born in Chicago, IL and raised by her mother. She has been a creative writer since the age of seven, teaching herself how to write poetry, stories, scripts, and speeches as years went by. She was an honor roll student for most of her K-12 years while being heavily active in sports, poetry teams, Honors Societies, and band. She graduated from Thornton Township High School in May 2019. After she graduated from high school, she went to Saint Xavier University and declared her major in Strategic Communications, and did not regret it one bit. Kyla did a lot on campus including hosting her own Radio Show on WXAV 88.3 FM for three years, leading retreats in Michigan, becoming an intern at 826DC, a writing non-profit organization in Washington D.C., for (4) months, participated in an apprenticeship for the John Walt Foundation, going to Atlanta, Georgia for a weekend conference called “Black Students Lead,” as a student, and receiving a multitude of awards such as “Outstanding Leadership Award” and the “Dean of Students Award for Student Leadership.”   On May 6, 2023, she graduated from SXU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences. Now, she is working towards her aspirations of being a writer for entertainment. There are so many stories, lifestyles, experiences, and visions  that need to be shared, and Kyla wants to be the one to curate, capture, and narrate them. To be a female, disabled  person of color in the writing field can seem unattainable, but she wants to be the one to prove that anyone can do anything regardless of their circumstances. Writing a story is more than putting pen to paper. For Kyla, writing is about putting a spin on how life is “supposed to be” and creating a new outcome  in every plot. There is no limitation to a great story, and she wants to create a multitude of them.

With over 13 years of captivating audiences with the power of spoken word, Lonye has established themself as a prominent voice in Chicago's vibrant artistic community. Her journey began at the age of 7 where she honed her craft and found inspiration in the city's rich cultural tapestry. As a seasoned performer, Lonye has earned numerous accolades, including victories in prestigious competitions both locally and abroad, and notably in New York. Her ability to weave narratives that resonate deeply with audiences has solidified their reputation as a storyteller of immense talent.

Beyond the stage, Lonye has expanded her creative pursuits into film, showcasing their acting skills in productions featured on platforms like Tubi. As a versatile content creator, they engage their audience through various digital mediums, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and social justice.

Lonye is not only a performer but also a community builder, frequently serving as an event host and curator, bringing together artists from diverse backgrounds to share their voices and perspectives. She is also known for their expertise as a tarot card reader and healer, offering guidance and insight through their spiritual practices.