EMPOWER. ENGAGE. TRANSFORM.

Alisha Clark is an accomplished choreographer, dancer and actress, with an extensive background in leading Masterclasses in New York, Virginia, North Carolina, even as far as the Philippines. Alisha is also the founder of the Lynchburg Dance Connection, a database where dancers can find auditions, open classes, masterclasses, workshops, and other opportunities in the area.

Benjamin is the founder of Urban Confessional: A Free Listening Project. With his 15 years of creative development, 20 years of acting, as well as the title author under his extensive creative resume, Ben leads a movement that provides compassionate, non-judgmental listening for anyone who needs to talk.

Brian Matthews is a theatre artist, educator, and art historian. His passion includes interdisciplinary projects with a socio-political bent. In 2017, Brian was selected as a fellow of ASTEP’s Artist As Citizen Conference at the Juilliard School. He is also growing into his role as a vocal advocate for those, including himself, who are living and creating while diagnosed with PTSD.

Bryant "B_Greats" Greats II Is experienced In spoken word and hip-hop performance, and has performed for crowds across the country. Always looking to understand perspectives objectively while confident In his own, Greats' encouragement Is always founded on living authentically. B_Greats has two studio albums released since 2009 with plans to release his third next year.

Chiara McCarty is the Director of Free Listening with Urban Confessional. With a background in acting, she believes there is great power in storytelling, and she hopes to tell stories that inspire, that open people's minds to different perspectives, that give hope, that shine a light in dark places, and that give a voice to the voiceless.

Chris Badgett holds his Master’s Degree in Music Education and serves the community as the Choral Music Director for Amherst Middle School. With a background that boasts of extensive musical knowledge and exploration, Chris is also a member of the Phi Kappa Tau National Fraternity.

Deidre Sears advocates the importance of the performing arts in helping youth with self-esteem, self-image and self-discipline. As Artistic Director and Founder of Elevé Dance Theater, loves to share her passion and talent in the arts with the youth. She founded Elevé Dance Theater out of the pursuit to allow the arts to empower people and communities.

Destinae Butler is a senior at Western School for Girls in Baltimore City and the current Youth Poet Laureate of Baltimore City. Destinae’s creative development has her on a journey to mix creativity with academics. She states, “I am continuously trying to better myself and find new ways to bring awareness, encourage and evoke positivity.”

Geoffrey Kershner works as the Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts, Central Virginia’s hub of arts and culture located in Lynchburg, VA. In addition to a background in theater and directing, Geoffrey is also on the Emerging Leaders Council through Americans for the Arts.

Intalek is an artist who has a knack for easy flowing lyricism and storytelling ability. With 7 mixtapes and 3 albums, including a successful internationally released album titled “Lives and Vibes”, Intalek has opened for iconic artists like Mos Def, Missy Elliot, Wu-Tang Clan and Rapsody. With a still growing fanbase, Intalek is pushing his Aspire to Inspire brand and show the world that hip-hop still exists in the 757.

Jaylin Randolph, also known as Jiggy M, is a multi talented rapper, entertainer, and entrepreneur from Central VA. Known for his innovative leadership in the community he has branded himself as a content creator for unity and positivity. He has created campaigns for local organizations that highlight healthy living, positive decision making, and college preparation. Not only entertaining us with his musical and comedic talents but using them to help us grow and heal as individuals.

Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon is no stranger to The Listening’s platform. As a songwriter and performer reminiscent of great songwriters like Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Jeff Buckley, his mature writing sensibility and smooth vocals earned him a spot amongst the top six performers of Season 17 of ‘ American Idol’.

Jessica Jemmott, MA is the Founding Executive Director of The Lamp. With this organization, Jessica aspires to merge every facet of The Lamp together through the bonding over food, expressive arts, therapies, and transformational ministry.

Jerry Griffin Jr. has spent many years engaging the City of Lynchburg with major events like Unity Fest and Talent and Testimonies. Jerry currently serves as Director of Communications for Lynchburg Water Resources and the Program Development Consultant and Lead Ambassador for AMEND Together, an Initiative that engages men and boys to end violence against women and girls.

Kay B Rose is a Baltimore-born artist, performing as a catalyst for creating music and experiences with her audiences. One of her aspirations as an artist is to go with her listeners through the tough times, relationships, and their own discovery of faith. Kay's foundational topic of her creations is “love”. Everyone deserves love, and that message is evident throughout her music.

An alumnus of sorts of The Listening, KillGXXD, also known as Nate Roots is a dj, producer, and music artist who is well versed in many different genres like Funk, Soul, Afro-Beats and so much more. KILLGXXD has traveled with his soulful sounds over the last eight years, including performing alongside Grammy award winning artists like Big Daddy Kane and Naughty by Nature.

Mazaré is a spoken word poet who describes herself as raw honey, "a teaspoon of brutal truth fresh from the comb--bold and thick with sweet.". With a background in mentoring and collaborating with arts activists to work on social justice campaigns, Mazaré presents her poetry everywhere from coffee shops to concerts and conferences.

Melissa Noel is an award-winning, multimedia journalist, television host and media entrepreneur. Melissa is an internationally recognized Caribbean diaspora leader with proven impact at the intersections of media, sustainable travel and social justice. She is known for her dynamic content that consistently highlights underreported stories for outlets including Huffpost.com, Essence.com, ABC News and much more. Melissa’s stories on culture, race, travel, immigration, climate change and mental health, actively inform and expand the ways in which we see, discuss and cover the experiences of the African Diaspora.

Mr Cru2 is a hyphenated educator and producer. His fascination for Hip Hop began as a child, when his brother brought home a Snoop Dogg and Dogg Pound cassette. He enjoys classic hip-hop artists like Nas, Method Man, and The Lox.

Osaretin Obaseki, also known as Osa The Healer, is a DMV native raised in Silver Spring, MD by way of Nigeria West Africa. Osaretin Obaseki is an introspective artist that uses hip-hop as a medium for communication. Obaseki utilizes the art of rap to convey poignant messages, share introspective thoughts and challenge the status quo in today’s society.

Sha-Shonna Rogers is a graduate of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, and has been writing poetry since elementary school. Sha-Shonna reports that once she got a taste of performing her own poetry, it was something that she couldn’t get enough of. Falling in love with writing words that sounded smooth, words that rhyme and creating her own rhythm, Sha-Shonna feels like performing allows the world to see the most unapologetic version of herself.

Known for delivering innovative thought provoking content conveying creative educational concepts in cross-cultural mediums, Shekhinah is a passionate advocate for the arts in the areas of creative activism, and more. Shekhinah is the current Creative Cultural Producer of The Women’s Coalition for Empowerment, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to educating, uniting, and empowering women through the use of accessible programs and activities.

Tremayne works as the Director of Community Engagement for the Academy Center of the Arts In Lynchburg, VA. Tremayne Is passionate about supporting the community, providing opportunity and resources to marginalized communities, and using his skills to build relationships with communities, organizations and people.