Different presenters will offer up their thoughts and insight on the four tracks of our conference experience:
Art as Activism
Art in Education/Learning
Art as Healing
Art in Community Building
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.
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 thurd 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.
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.
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.
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.
