Corey Writes is a Rap/Hip Hop artist from Halifax,NS. He started rapping at the age of 15 as a form of therapy but ended up getting much more out of it. He has shared the stage with artists such as T.I, Sean Kingston, Nelly, Fetty Wap, Mad Child, Merkules and more. With his distinct voice, high-energy and unspeakable stage presence Corey Writes will leave you wanting more.

Delvina is a sixth generation African Nova Scotian who traces her Canadian ancestry to the Black United Empire Loyalists of 1783 and the Black Refugees of 1812. She has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Canadian Afrocentric education movement and is a recognized advocate for Indigenous rights, gender equality and social equity for marginalized populations.

Owen ‘O’Sound’ Lee is a musician, songwriter, vocal arranger, and producer from Toronto, Ontario. Owen grew up singing in church, and after studying Vocal Performance Jazz at York University he began pursuing music as a full-time career, and has been making strides ever since.

Owen has shared the stage and collaborated with numerous critically-acclaimed artists such as Mariah Carey, Jordin Sparks, Drake, Jully Black, and Kardinal Offishall to name a few. He also produced an album of his own in 2012 called The Full Sound.

He is the former vocal director/arranger for Divine Worship, under the leadership of Brian Hamilton. During his tenure they recorded two studio albums, I Am A Christian and Chosen - which were both vocally arranged by Owen.

Whether she is playing with a full band, as a trio with her backup singers or solo on the keys, Reeny delivers magic every time, lighting up the room. Her extraordinary vocals, confident stage presence, and energetic live show make for a truly unforgettable, entertaining experience.

Reeny has been building her audience from an early age. Her natural born talent was inspired and nurtured by her family and friends growing up in North Preston, Nova Scotia. Both Reeny's father and her grandfather are former members of one of Canada’s premier gospel bands and her uncles in the Carson Downey Band are both highly esteemed musicians. In her youth,

Reeny was influenced by singing and playing piano in church choirs, leading her to pursue herpassion for music even further. In 2015, she enrolled in the prestigious Music Arts program at St. FX University, majoring in jazz vocals, and released her first EP, I Am Reeny.

.Daniel is a leader in EDI transformations with experience developing EDI within academia, industry and community organizations. Daniel's perspective on EDI is shaped by an established academic background, with published work on inclusivity in higher education and his experience as a business leader working in the program development, entertainment and finance sectors. His EDI work has come out of his advocacy and establishing an NFP to serve international students in Atlantic Canada and the community that has become their new home.

The Atlantic Business magazine, 2020, selected Daniel Ohaegbu, “Bridge Builder,” as one of the 30 Under 30 innovators in Atlantic Canada. Daniel also received the “Outstanding Individual” award from the PEI Newcomers Association for his continuous work and involvement in supporting the growing newcomer communities in PEI. He received the community organizer award from Faces of Fusion Charlottetown for his significant contributions to the Charlottetown community through activism, volunteerism, and community engagement. He is a dynamic emcee and has volunteered to host various community events, collaborate and help community partners. Daniel is active in the Black Cultural Society of PEI, Film PEI, and the newly formed BIPOC USHR. He is consistently enthusiastic, a joy to work with, and committed to anti-racism efforts, including his work on Black Lives Matter and Indigenous Lives Matter.

Originally from the Preston Township in Nova Scotia, Kirsten ‘Kwento’ Taylor is accredited as a gifted singer, songwriter and actress by her peers and critics alike.

After graduating from Nova Scotia Community college with a diploma in Music Arts, she began to pursue a career in the arts full time and her talents and musical exploits have afforded her opportunities across Canada, the USA, and Europe, as well as notable awards and nominations.

As an actress, Kirsten can been seen in her roles in 'Black Cop', 'Diggstown', 'The Book of Negroes' and 'Spinster', to name a few.

For her, her artistic practices have been a means a healing and self-discovery; through embracing her roots she has found a deeper sense of her truth as an individual and hopes her presence tells a story that validates and offers comfort and healing to the silenced.

Lou Gannon is a role model within the African Nova Scotian communities, a dedicated and passionate volunteer, and an inspiration to many Nova Scotians. Lou was born and raised in central Halifax where he was educated at Alexandra School before entering the Halifax Vocational School. After travelling the world as a member of the Canadian Navy, Lou returned to Halifax and enrolled at Dalhousie University. He then began a career with the YMCA of Halifax.

Lou’s career with the YMCA provided him with many incredible opportunities. He developed leadership skills, worked on initiatives that improved his community, made life-long friends and travelled to many countries. The most satisfying aspect was having the opportunity of watching young YMCA members develop into productive young adults.

The highlight of Lou’s YMCA career happened in 1988, when he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Charlottetown YMCA. He was the first African Nova Scotian to hold this position in Canada.

While in PEI, he displayed his leadership abilities within the education system by successfully carrying out a program entitled “Appreciating Our Differences and Similarities.”

Not being one to slow down, after returning to Nova Scotia he took up the post as Executive Director of the Better Business Bureau of Nova Scotia in 1996. Again, making history at home, becoming the first African Nova Scotian to hold this position.

Following his position with the Better Business Bureau he was appointed to the role of Program Manager with HRM at the North Preston Community Center. After eight years he retired from this position. Still hungry to make a difference for the African Nova Scotian communities, he accepted an interim Executive Director’s position with the Black Cultural Center of Nova Scotia. Four years later he joined the Africville Heritage Trust as the Interim General Manager’s.

To Lou, retirement has provided an opportunity to pursue his true passion – music. He volunteers his time as President with the African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA – 1996 to present), supporting and mentoring artists in the pursuit of their dreams.

Over the course of his life, Lou has made an outstanding contribution to enriching the lives of Nova Scotians. Lou has connected with many through coaching basketball, music, organizational boards and committees, as well as, volunteering at various Halifax Regional Municipality events. He has made a significant contribution to our community.

During his time as the director of the Community Y, the motto “Each One Teach One” was repeated daily to the young members as a reminder that they are all part of a community. The motto summarizes Lou’s story perfectly. As others before him have made a positive impact on his life, he is hopeful that his legacy of giving back to the community will be carried on by the next generation.

LXVNDR is an East Coast Rap Artist currently making waves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Writing poems since she was 8 years old, it became a passion that soon followed her everywhere. Raised on Prince Edward Island, her love for Hip Hop eventually became more than just a hobby. Creating music since 2018 and now representing Black Buffalo Records, Low Pressure Fried Chicken, and Sipset: she is always pushing boundaries with her sound. Preferring to keep things exciting – her performances bounce around anywhere between hardcore rap, r&b, lofi to sometimes even spoken word.

With three albums now officially available for steaming and purchase, she is only just getting started. Plenty more music being released this year, while working on three more albums that should be released by 2022 and multiple other side projects in the works; the sky is truly the limit for LXVNDR. With big plans for the future now having teamed up with Black Buffalo Records – expansion, touring and consistent shows are coming soon. Always aiming to paint the stage Purple, LXVNDR is a unique act to catch.

Hailed as one of New Brunswick's premier lyricists, Phakt (pronounced FACT) proves to be an ever-evolving artist in an ever-changing genre.

Known for blazing the trail by helping to create an urban music scene where there once was none, his crew (at its height) consisted of 6 emcees and 3 DJ's.

The poet-turned-rapper/producer eventually ventured out to pursue solo endeavors, including creating his own legacy in the freestyle battle circuit. Obliging all who challenged quickly led Phakt to a long string of victories which prompted long-time collaborator, DJ Loc Dog, to bring him to the DJO's (DJ Olympic) freestyle competition. Phakt would go on to win three years in a row, among other battles between events and shows.

It was at these events that Phakt would connect with Scott Doucette, owner of CTG Records. After three years with the label, Phakt would find himself returning to his grassroots connections.

While freestyles kept him sharp, it was the recording process that he longed for. Releasing an album (Arts & Crafts) with his cousin & rhyme partner, Mister Monark, helped the rapper to develop his sound, with the assistance of producer/MC Sean One.

Exhibiting his grasp on the many facets of song writing had it's rewards as Phakt earned his first award nomination (East Coast Music Award) for his debut solo album "Dropping Inwards" in 2017.

Dwayne (DJ $lim) Marcial is an artist manager at Musik Iz The Motive Entertainment based in Saint John, NB. He is equipped to do many different things in the industry from management, promotion & marketing, sync placements, talent bookings, and artists development. He is a graduate of NBCC from the radio studies program and tv and video production program with an extensive background working in both fields. He has worked in all departments in radio and for companies such as Stingray, MBS, Bell, and Pattison. In tv and film, he has worked at NBC Studios, Rogers TV, and on classic indie films like the BET classic Blue Hill Avenue.

Keonté Beals is a multi-award winning artist/singer-songwriter/entrepreneur/author from North Preston Nova Scotia. This R&B powerhouse continues to break down barriers and solidify his brand here on the East Coast & Atlantic Canada through is musical and entrepreneurial projects.

Producer, Sound Engineer & Recording Artist

CBC News, Nova Scotia

Kyah Sparks is a reporter/editor with CBC Nova Scotia. Born and raised in East Preston, N.S., she has worked in television and digital news in Halifax.

Executive Director, Black Cultural Society of PEI

Born in Halifax, Tamara grew up between the Nova Scotian communities of Cole Harbour, East Preston, and Upper Hammonds Plains. Tamara has lived on the Island since 1999 when she began studies in music at the University of Prince Edward Island. After graduating from UPEI, she subsequently began and maintained a 13-year career as an arts administrator at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery.

Tamara has spent the last 20+ years watching the population of Charlottetown grow and observing the concurrent growing need for community supports. This led her to the role of President of the Board of Directors for the grassroots organization, Black Cultural Society of Prince Edward Island (BCSPEI), in 2019. Since beginning her work with BCSPEI, Tamara has developed a passion for community engagement and for building up and advocating for PEI’s Black community. Under her leadership, BCSPEI has been able to raise its profile both locally and nationally. On behalf of BCSPEI, Tamara organized and led a Black Lives Matter March in Charlottetown – the largest protest rally in PEI history; has secured not-for-profit status, office space, and multi-year operational funding for the organization; and helped to develop an anti-Racism Policy advisor position within the provincial government. Her work with BCSPEI led Tamara to be named by Chatelaine as one of “33 Black Canadians Making Change Now” in the magazine’s September 2020 issue. Tamara has recently made the transition to Executive Director of BCSPEI and is excited to be able to devote her full-time attention to the organization’s work.

In addition to her work with BCSPEI, Tamara currently serves as a board member for the Island Fringe Festival; Women’s Network PEI; Music PEI; is the Board Chair for Art in the Open, Charlottetown’s annual, outdoor, public art festival; and has two decades worth of contributions to PEI's local music scene as a singer, trombone player, and, most recently, bass player, with many bands of varying genres.