Akeem Griffin is a songwriter and music producer from the North side of Chicago. With music being a fundamental part of home life growing up, songwriting has become another form of communication that Akeem relies on to connect with the spaces he's a part of today. Almost everyday he spends time mixing and experimenting with the sounds of rnb, alternative rock, hip-hop, and rap that he grew up listening to and coming to love.

EndyB is a young creative from the west side of Chicago. She went from being in the studio while her dad produced music, to singing and dancing in church and school, to eventually performing on various stages in Chicago, such as the Democratic National Convention and even the City Winery! Full of bubbly energy and passion, EndyB uses her music to vent, reflect her experiences, and uplift those around her. Influenced by different rappers like Lisa Left Eye, Kanye West, and J. Cole, EndyB strives to create her own unique sound that she hopes can inspire her community. Now, as a fellow recipient of the John Walt Foundation Scholarship, she can’t wait to see where she’ll go next!

Juby DaGod is an artist, Producer, and filmmaker from the south side of Chicago. He just released a Project called Infamous August 29th.

My name is Kayla Perkins. I am 20 years old and from the West Side of Chicago! I am a 3rd year at Dominican University, majoring in Fashion Design and Black World Studies, and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Prior to my emergence in the artistic scene, I battled with self-esteem and finding my inner voice in my adolescent years. Overtime, I was able to embrace my authenticity through my passions in dance (since the age of 5), fashion design (since the age of 7), graphic design, and most of all my undeniable love for my Black roots. I aman only child to a beautiful black mother, a creatively driven young Black woman who is a triple threat, unapologetic, and a natural born advocate/leader within my academic community and Chicago community. I have a bold spirit, great intelligence, as well as goal-oriented. I have a lot to offer to change societal norms, stereotypes, and limitations that are often associated with Black women, and the Black community overall. My initiative is to utilize my creative talents in the form of advocacy for social justice efforts, and to bring about a new perspective into the artistic community. I am currently in the process of rebranding my apparel line that I began when I was 11, to establish a fusion between dancewear and streetwear on NEW LVLZ, while being versatile, innovative, and all inclusive. I would also like to utilize my creative platform to bring positivity back into Chicago that has often been overshadowed; to give Chicago youth the opportunity to live in peace, own their individuality, and make their mark on the artistic scene

Welcome to an artist that is a dynamic force in music and performance. Hailing from the Southside of Chicago, Z!ggy is a singer-songwriter, rapper, producer, and dancer whose work lives at the intersection of Hip Hop and R&B. Known for blending raw lyricism with rich melodies, Z!ggy brings an electrifying edge to every beat, verse, and movement.

Born with rhythm in their bones, Z!ggy began dancing and creating music at an early age, drawing influence from legends like Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, Usher, Lauryn Hill, and Pharrell. Their sound is constructed with smooth hooks and relatably honest lyrics that ride over hard-hitting 808s and unforgettable melodies. When they're not wrapped up in the music studio, Z!ggy can be found grooving throughout the dance studio. No matter the performance, Z!ggy’s talents are bound to get you moving.

Whether spitting introspective bars, delivering sweet vocals, or dancing across the stage, Z!ggy embodies the spirit of innovation. With each release, they bridge the bounce of Hip Hop with the soul of R&B and redefine what it means to be a true artist in the modern era.”

This Chicago native’s love for creating transcends through traditional boundaries.  Sol Ruby is a singer-songwriter, poet, musician, dancer, creative director, event curator, and community organizer.  Her writing has been characterized as raw, passionate, and magnetic. She combines pop music with Latin and soul nuances and her gentle voice creates a listening atmosphere that is warming and ethereal.  Through her chosen creative vessels, the multi-hyphenated visionary begins conversations on social justice, mental health, and self-empowerment.

"Victory Marie" 15yrs-old from West Pullman Chicago

She uses her home attic as studio space is a choreograper and has performed on several stages with singer songwriter Zia Jenaye, trained with Beyonce dancer-Trinity Joy; Companies: Deeply Rooted, Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, Forward Momentum, Studio One Dance, and Competitive Poms and KDP at Kenwood Academy.

Victory Marie has been booked to dance for funerals, banquets, birthday parties, weddings, and church events.

Victory's most recent achievements came this summer while on stage at the Lallapalooza, and Goose Island stage for the Taste of Chicago this Summer.

Victory aims to continue growing as a dancer, seeking new opportunities to perform, teach, and inspire others with her art. Victory Keithley is a disciplined and talented dancer whose early start and continuous hard work have shaped her into the exceptional performer she is today.

She loves her two older sisters and they love to watch her dance.