Josh Brown, known as AnUrbanNerd, is a Rap & Spoken Word artist and Visual artist with a background in education and engineering. He serves as the current New London Poet Laureate. He has been writing and performing for more than 15 years and brings a number of experiences to his craft being able to connect with a wide audience. Josh spent years suppressing his gift trying to avoid being a stereotypical black man who raps, however he learned that “our gifts are not your own” and now he makes sure to give his gift back whenever he can. He has published several poems through Magik Press and has written and distributed two Music EP’s. He currently is the Director of ScHOLA2RS House Learning Community, focused on increasing the graduation rate of black men at the University of Connecticut.

Tymani Rain Pinkston - stage name, GodisTymaniRain is a multi-faceted artist specializing in spoken word poetry, dance, music, and improv. The current repeat CT Grand Slam Champion (2024 & 2025) and former member of the CT Verbal Slap Slam Team, she has triumphed numerous competitions, including; 2025 Southern Fried Competition, the 2023 CT Underground Slam. Beyond the stage, she is a teaching artist and facilitator, who has co-lead 3 Degrees - a multidisciplinary Youth focused initiative, and curates consistent one on one workshops with youth and adults. Through her work, Tymani is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and using art as a tool for transformation.

Lynnette is a poet, a performing artist, a mother, a teaching artist, a storyteller, a workshop facilitator, a social commentator, an avid yet mediocre twerker, a taco connoisseur, and a communication coach. Lynnette uses humor, compassion, gentleness, her imagination, her love of human beings and her comfort on stage to express, dismantle, push, entertain, build relationships, and invite discourse. It is her desire that everyone be free, safe and loved, especially children and Black women. Lynnette is also a published author of four separate collections of poetry.

Carl is a poet, writer, percussionist, and author of two books of poetry, Rhythm (2013), and Life… Through the Words & Between the Lines (2001). He has performed at various poetry venues, universities, high schools, youth centers, churches, correctional facilities and literary and community events for various causes. For many years, Carl hosted a monthly open mic poetry event dedicated to inner-city middle-school students. The program was designed to guide and encourage the students to express themselves through their poetry and provide exposure to higher education and college student poets at the University of Connecticut. For 20 plus years, he has had the pleasure of teaching a performance poetry course at the University of Connecticut, providing a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to meet, share, express themselves, bond and grow through poetry. A self-taught percussionist of the djembé (African drum) and cajon, Carl often infuses their dynamic sounds into his performances.

Faith is a music major at the University of Connecticut, where she is currently serving her second term as president of the Voices of Freedom Gospel Choir. Her leadership reflects her passion for using music to inspire, uplift, and bring people together. In addition to her work with Voices of Freedom, she has also been a member of UConn’s Concert Choir, UConn’tabile, and A Minor, an a cappella group at UConn, with whom she has competed in competitions with. Faith has also performed internationally in Germany and France and is a familiar voice at events hosted by the African American Cultural Center. She looks forward to continuing to grow in both music education and performance.

Isaac is a dynamic vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter whose performances reflect a deep connection to community, creativity, and cultural expression. With a background rooted in gospel, soul, jazz, and R&B, Isaac brings powerful vocals and emotive storytelling to the stage, weaving together tradition and innovation. His work celebrates the resilience and beauty of collective experience, uplifting audiences through music that inspires reflection, joy, and unity. Whether leading live ensembles or crafting solo arrangements, Isaac’s artistry is anchored in purpose and authenticity.

Led by Instructor Rev. Lisa Clayton, a unique ensemble of approximately 80 or more students which provides personal elevation and enlightenment of the gospel and spiritual music of the Black Experience Church.