Squad
LYNTHIA EDWARDS
Lynthia Edwards artist, art educator, activist, mother and foster parent, SPARKLIST— ILLUMINATOR OF “BLACK GIRL MAGIC,” born and raised in Alexander City, and now based in Birmingham, Alabama. Lynthia’s art illuminates the world of the southern black girl experience. She sees herself in her subjects. Her work reflects the emotions, thoughts and ideas that animate the world in which she lives. Her goal is to honor and glorify the lives of Southern women, while igniting a dialogue and an emotional connection with what she calls the “black girl magic”. Her subjects tend to be young black girls, often placed in the context of southern life. Inspired by historical research and shaped by personal experience and everyday encounters, her work reveals the multitude of colors, the complexity, physical beauty and the internal elegance of her subjects. She captures viewers with color and engaging imagery—telling the stories of her subjects without shrinking from the ugly truths they sometimes reveal. Believing that art is transformative, she taught art for 13 years at the State of Alabama Department of Youth Services School District, working with adjudicated male offenders.
KATE DAMON
Kate Damon artist, designer, activist, colorist, art educator, auntie, SPARKLIST—born in Minneapolis, MN and raised in Charlottesville, VA, and based in Washington, DC. Kate is passionate about color, community, politics, sustainable gliTTer, fútbol, and how art and culture can shift social movements. Kate moved to Washington, DC in 1993 to attend American University, play soccer and become a diplomat. After studying abroad in Valencia, Spain with the University of Virginia, she returned to DC and found her passion and people in the art department. In 1999, Kate co-founded the design firm kaze design in Washington DC. For two decades, she and her team have created brands, designed campaigns, and produced events for local, national, and international organizations. Kate began knocking on doors for political candidates in multiple states before she could vote. She has lobbied US Senators and DC ANC commissioners, marched from Pennsylvania Ave and crossed The Bridge in Selma; from racial equality, gun safety, reproductive rights to clean water. She is committed to making the earth a more just and beautiful world.
MALIK ADUNNI
Malik Adunni is a global connector, music maven, and co-founder of Gold Credentials, a platform that creates, collaborates, and activates artists to work with brands to engage their fans. For 2 decades he’s traveled the world producing large scale shows at festivals like Coachella and most recently finished a global tour with rising pop star Greyson Chance. Malik likes to go on shark tagging expeditions and serves as a board member to Beneath the Waves. He is on the UCLA Entertainment Industry Cabinet, and is a Brand Ambassador for Puppies Make Me Happy. Malik and his Mother, Oni just finished their first children’s book (2021).
BIM AYANDELE
Bim Ayandele is the founder of Millennium Strategy Partners where he advises non-profit, philanthropy and corporate clients about issues related to communications, narrative change, transparency, equity and social responsibility. He was an integral part of the team that implemented some of the pioneering guerrilla marketing techniques instrumental in deciding the outcome, most visibly the world-renowned "HOPE" poster before being asked to serve in the Obama administration’s White House Office of Public Engagement.
MAPS GLOVER
Maps Glover embodies the true definition of a millennial artist. His multi-disciplinary art practice has allowed him entry into many different spaces. His illustrative works are abstract and vibrant. Most can be found on the covers of newspapers such as The Washington Informer Bridge and in the pages of countless magazines including Artsy magazine, Hello Mr, and Relapse Magazine just to name a few. He is also a renowned performance artist, performing on stages including The Kennedy Center, The National Portrait Gallery, AfroPunk and the Torpedo factory. His performance has also taken him beyond the stage. His 2018 collaboration with Conde Nast solidified him as one of DC’s premier artists and introduced him to the national art market.
WILLIAM HODGSON
William Hodgson is a designer, programmer, reverse engineer, and forward troubadour. Aversions include: monuments to oppressors, tomatoes (unless thrown at the former).
KRISTOPHER INGLE
Kristopher Ingle is an artist, designer, and senior at GW studying graphic design, is obsessed with his 16 houseplants, block stamps, and collecting east-asian vases.
DAWNE LANGFORD
Dawne Langford is an independent documentary producer, artist, and curator. She's passionate about amplifying traditionally marginalized narratives to mobilize community building through art and culture and creativity to ensure equitable outcomes in this upcoming election.
DOM LOWELL
Dom Lowell is a flamboyant unicorn who is happiest when he’s awash in trackers, spreadsheets, and budgets. He keeps everyone’s eyes on the prize.
TROY McCLEAN
Troy McLean has rocked the stage and can take the rock stars’ laundry to wash & fold. Troy loves to write and perform music, and enjoys realizing a project or large scale event from concept, through build and program, to tear down. Recently, he was on “tour” with the BERNIE National Advance Team. Born and raised in Washington, DC—Troy’s love of politics and his activism has influenced his music and band Nappy Riddem—known worldwide for their unique style of reggae they call “Dancehall Funk.” Troy believes with knowledge, pride, and love, anything can be accomplished—which comes through in his music that often has themes of the self-empowerment of Black people. Troy holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree, with an emphasis in Music Business and Artist management from Berklee School of Music.
Advisors
Dr. Janay Cody
Cori Doherty
Natalie Fulgencio
Carole Feld
Ilyse G. Hogue
Bruce Jacobs
Ari Kushimoto
Liz Manne
E. Ethelbert Miller
Marc Pekala
Michelle Ringuette
Lela Singh
Tawanda Spears Maignon
Dr. Helen Stiff-Williams
