Hanif Abdurraqib is a New York Times bestselling poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. His writing has been published in Pitchfork, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and several other notable publications. Hanif’s first collection of essays, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, was released in 2017 by Two Dollar Radio and was named a book of the year by Buzzfeed, Esquire, NPR, Oprah Magazine, Paste, The Los Angeles Review, and The Chicago Tribune, among others. Hanif’s additional honors include the 2020 Ohioana Award for Poetry, 2020 Lenore Marshall Prize, being longlisted for the National Book Award and selected as a finalist for the Kirkus Prize. In 2021, he published A Little Devil In America (Random House). Hanif graduated from Beechcroft High School. Learn more at abdurraqib.com.
Bryan Moss is an artist, visual storyteller, and teacher. He describes himself as a conduit for the community, and he recently completed a large-scale mural celebrating 100 years of White Castle history. His public murals and collaborations can be found sprinkled throughout downtown Columbus. The Columbus Museum of Art also recently tapped Bryan to help archive the home of his former mentor, artist Aminah Robinson. The fruits of his labor brought to life the exhibition, “RAGGIN’ ON: The Art of Aminah Robinson’s House and Journals.” Learn more at columbusmakesart.com/stories/bryan-moss.
Vada Azeem is an African-American songwriter, visual artist, and activist based in Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of The Boy Who Tried to Touch the Sun and The Ribbon in the Sky. Learn more at vadaazeem.com.
DJ Krate Digga has over 20 years under his belt as a professional DJ. Schooled in turntablism by DJ Sicari while an undergrad at Kentucky State University, Krate Digga went on to form the Mos Wanted Crew in 1997 with DJ Sicari. Flexing his trademark musicality, Krate has shared stages with a multitude of esteemed artists including Eric Roberson, Raheem Devaughn, 112, MC Lyte, Brand Nubian, Tanya Morgan, Teedra Moses, The Foreign Exchange, Da Brat, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Dwele, and so many more. Learn more at kratedigga.com
Barbara Fant is a celebrated performer, award winning poet and author of Paint, Inside Out. After losing her mother at 15, poetry became Barbara’s way of communication, processing and praying. She has been blessed and recognized on national and worldwide stages. Barbara is the Artistic Director at Harmony Project Columbus, teaches poetry at Transit Arts and serves as an editor for the Antioch University Los Angeles literary journal, Lunch Ticket. Learn more at barbarafant.com.
Illogic (Jawhar Glass) is an indie hip hop artist known for deep lyrics and poetic verses. With 10 albums to his credit along with numerous collaborations and guest appearances, Illogic is versatile and prolific. His latest production, Beats for You, Vol. 3 came out in May and his latest solo album, Autopilot, came out last October. Learn more at iamillogic.com.
Paula Johnson Neal is the award-winning author of I’m Gonna Have Good Day. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a degree in early childhood development. Paula has spent the last 23 years making an impact in children’s lives as a preschool director, teacher, and guest speaker. Her attitude to positively impact lives is evident by her achievements in leading schools that are nationally recognized for high program standards. Learn more at paulajohnsonneal.com.
Dr. Carlotta Penn is an author and founder of Daydreamers Press. She is a Daydreamer who believes in justice and in the power of arts and literature to activate change in the world. Daydreamers Press is the public vehicle for her personal passions and commitments. As lead curator of content and programming at Daydreamers Press, Dr. Penn brings a wealth of experience to her work as a songwriter, poet, writer, teacher, and developer of national and international community programs. Learn more at daydreamerspress.com.
Debbie Rigaud is the coauthor of Alyssa Milano’s New York Times bestselling Hope series and the author of Simone Breaks All the Rules and Truly Madly Royally. She grew up in East Orange, New Jersey, and started her career writing for entertainment and teen magazines. She now lives with her husband and children in Columbus, Ohio. Learn more at debbierigaud.com.
Fariha (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of art, journalism, and community building. Her storytelling revolves around themes of identity, belonging, and social justice. A daughter of Pakistani immigrants and a Texas transplant to the Midwest, she focuses on untold stories of various populations with creative writing and photojournalism. Learn more at farihatayyab.com
Scott Woods is the founder of Streetlight Guild, a performing arts organization that cultivates and preserves Columbus-based culture, emphasizing underrepresented voices. He is the author of Urban Contemporary History Month (2016, Brick Cave Books) and We Over Here Now (2013, Brick Cave Books) and has been featured multiple times in national press, including multiple appearances on National Public Radio. He was the president of Poetry Slam, Inc. and is the co-founder of the Writers’ Block Poetry Night. In April of 2006 he became the first poet to ever complete a 24-hour solo poetry reading, a feat he bested in 2007 by performing for another 24 hours, but without repeating a single poem. Learn more at scottwoodssays.wordpress.com.