Features & Musical Guests
Amir Sulaiman
A poet, recording artist, screenwriter and producer. His poems cross subjects of love, tragedy as well as what it means to reconcile humanity with the unprecedented trials of modernity. He has performed across the US and many other countries including England, Belgium, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Australia, Iran and the Netherlands. Amir is also a member of the IMAN Artist Roster.
Photo Credit: www.amirsulaiman.com
Brother Ali
A highly respected Hip Hop artist, speaker, community leader from Minneapolis, MN and long time artist-leader connected to IMAN. His two-decade resume includes eight critically acclaimed albums, mentorships with iconic Hip Hop legends Chuck D and Rakim, and performances on late night talk shows with Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien. He’s also lectured at universities from Princeton to Stanford and delivered the keynote address at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum.
Photo Credit: Colleen Eversman
Jecorey "1200" Arthur
An award-winning teacher, musician, and activist from the West End of Louisville, KY. In June 2020 he was elected as Louisville's youngest metro councilperson in history. He will be inaugurated January 2021, representing District 4 that spans from Louisville's West End, East End, and Downtown. His career started when he used music-making to stay out of the streets at age 12, eventually going on to earn his master’s in music education by age 22 from the University of Louisville. Jecorey is a member of the IMAN Artist Roster.
Photo Credit: Walt Smith, West of Ninth
Maimouna Youssef (AKA MUMU FRESH)
A grammy-nominated singer, MC, songwriter, activist and acclaimed hip hop artist who’s been called a "quadruple threat" by the Roots’ Black Thought and "groundbreaking" by Ocsar-winning artist, Common. Maimouna is part of the 2020 IMAN Sacred Cypher Creatives cohort.
Photo Credit: Eaton
PHENOM
An emcee, activist and mentor. A pillar of underground hip-hop and spoken word in Chicago. Phenom continues to inspire generations of young artists through his colorful style and undeniable talent. Phenom has recently developed a high-powered violence prevention program for 18-26 yr old artists to be trained as Youth Peace Ambassadors using their art as instruments of peace called Emcee Skool. PHENOM is a member of the IMAN Artist Roster.
Photo Credit: Obari
Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III,
The pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. He espouses black theology and speaks about reaching inner-city black youth.
Photo Credit: Trinity United Church of Christ
Quadir Lateef
A Houston native, has maintained an impressive rap career while remaining rooted in activism by working with Cornel West, Jasiri X, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez, Linda Sarsour and more.
Photo Credit: Artist
Amir Tubad Gray
A classically trained artist, a Child of James Brown, Beethoven, & J Dilla. Tubad was raised near Chicago but changed by New Orleans. Tubad has influences from Jazz, RnB, Hip-Hop, and Soul to name a few. Tubad blurs the lines of Genre and Style. Amir is also a member of the IMAN Artist Roster.
Photo Credit: Barbara Brands
AMPED
The Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED), choir creates stars of today by supporting and enhancing school music programs and by servicing unmet artistic needs in the community. The choir's diverse population, programs and music, LYC’s leaders of tomorrow learn discipline, self-confidence, leadership and teamwork.
Malcolm Parson
A cellist and composer, had his first break in 2016 when he composed the main theme for From The Kill Pen, a documentary by Sharon Boeckle that won Best Documentary at Nova International Film Festival. That same year, he recorded cello on the score for MA and recorded as 1st cellist on the score for MudBound, an Oscar nominated film directed by Dee Rees.
Photo Credit: @mparsoncello.jpg
Ronnie Malley
A multi-instrumentalist musician, actor, producer, and educator. Recent theater credits include: Great Expectations – composer/sound design (Silk Road Rising), Ziryab, The Songbird of Andalusia – author/solo performer (Silk Road Rising), The Jungle Book – musician/consultant (Goodman), The White Snake – co-composer (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and The Sultan’s Dilemma – producer/actor (International Voices Project). Ronnie is also a member of the IMAN Artist Roster.
Photo Credit: Artist
Rootstock Republic
Founded by Violinist and BMI composer, Juliette Jones, and co-led by Violist, Jarvis Benson, the company’s head of Music Supervision, Rootstock Republic has scored, recorded and contracted for a number of live, television and multimedia events, including the Oscar-nominated film ‘Mudbound’ (Dee Rees, Director; Tamar-kali, Composer), the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards Elton John Tribute, NBC’s Live Broadcast of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 51st New York Film Festival live presentation of the original Grand Theft Auto V score, and the world premiere of the Geva Theater-commissioned play, ‘The Agitators,’ (Mat Smart, Playwright; Logan Vaughn, Director).
Photo Credit: www.rootstockrepublic.com
Sehréa N’dayu
Sehréa N’dayu, a powerhouse with a voice beyond her time. A current student at the prestigious Oberlin University.
Photo Credit: Mustafa Hussain