Big Arts Night & Community Arts Partnership Awards
Thursday, October 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the Southern Theatre and Westin Great Southern Columbus
Big Arts Night Performers
Southern Theatre & Westin Ballroom
Quan Howell
Quan Howell, a native of Columbus Ohio, has been working in music and theater since he was a teenager when he sang with the ‘Resurrection Mass Choir’, ‘The Revival Choir’ and formed his own group, Quan Howell Family and Friends. At the age of 14, he recorded his first song, More Like Jesus with Ernest Carter. He received his first professional break in 1995 when Darlene Furtel heard his demo and gave it to Assistant Director Billy Steele of the group, Sounds of Blackness. He later became the lead singer for the group and recorded several hit songs including, Hold on Change is Comin, Spirit, and God Cares. Quan has also recorded and done background work with multiple artists, including, Rod Stewart, New Edition and Salt ‘n’ Pepa. In the late 1990s, Quan decided to pursue his other passion, the theater. Well-known author, director and producer Tyler Perry gave Quan his first theatrical performance opportunity in Perry’s first play I Know I’ve Been Changed. Quan also has made numerous television appearances on shows such as BET’s Sunday Best, the Lifetime Network reality show Preach, TBN’s Praise The Lord and World Harvest’s 120 Live with Pastor Rod Parsley. In the early 2000s he pursued his dream to be independent Christian artist produced his first musical project, Simple Christmas.
Joining Quan Howell in the Westin Ballroom, as part of the Quan Howell Project are: Chris Brown (musical director), Jonathan Burger (drums), Anthony Jackson (horns), Ray King (keyboard), Ivan Murray (horns), Deivi Terrero (bass guitars), Kellen Williams (lead guitars) and background singers Ellisa Coston, Marquita Lyles, DeMeeshia Marshall.
Dance E.L.I.T.E. Performance Academy
Samara Tillman is the founder and artistic director of Dance E.L.I.T.E. Performance Academy better known as DEPA. She has more than 35 years experience in dance, education and fashion. Before venturing into dance, Samara explored the worlds of fashion and education, including owning and operating her own fashion boutique, E.L.I.T.E. Studios for nearly a decade. She has been featured on NBC Channel 4 where she served as the fashion expert for its monthly makeovers. Her designs have been spotlighted on BET and the Daytime Emmys Red Carpet. Samara transitioned into the world of education and founded a nonprofit Young E.L.I.T.E International, an empowerment and leadership program for young girls. From this endeavor, Dance E.L.I.T.E. Performance Academy (DEPA) was born. The academy has become a staple in the dance community known for its emphasis on excellence. DEPA offers both competitive and recreational dance programs for boys and girls ages 3 to 18, with an emphasis on Hip Hop, Liturgical and foundational skills in ballet. DEPA is celebrating its 10 year anniversary and 11th competition season.
Hartman Parlor (Café de joie)
Host
CarolineINSPIRES
CarolineINSPIRES, a two-time TEDx speaker and three-time TEDx performer, hails from North Tulsa, Oklahoma and is known for her unwavering commitment to empowering others through her core message: “You have a right and a reason to survive, thrive, and let your light shine in every space you occupy.” A true cultural chameleon, she masterfully weaves storytelling and artistic flair, creating transformative experiences that resonate across diverse audiences. CarolineINSPIRES’ reach extends from the classroom to the corporate world. Her face has graced Abercrombie & Fitch’s “For Justice For Joy” mural T-shirt and she was also honored as one of 20 individuals to receive a mural in the historic Greenwood District through the Doorways To Hope project, celebrating living legends. A former Miss Black Ohio, Miss Black Oklahoma U.S. Ambassador, and Future History Maker, CarolineINSPIRES was recently recognized at the 2024 Central Ohio Social Justice Awards in the category of Youth Mentor. She continues to inspire through her #BEYOURMARK® movement and authentic leadership in youth advocacy. CarolineINSPIRES illuminates every space she occupies, embodying the unmatched power of connection, captivation, and creativity.
Poet
Ajanaé Dawkins
Ajanaé (Ajanaé Dawkins) is an interdisciplinary writer, theologian and curator. She has been published in Poem-a-Day, Prairie Schooner, The Indiana Review, and more. She is the winner of the New Delta Review’s Chapbook Prize and her chapbook BLOOD-FLEX, is forthcoming. Ajanaé is a co-host of the VS Podcast alongside Brittany Rogers.
Poet
Atlas
Atlas is an educator, author, and artist with a focus on restorative practices and fostering community dialogue around grief and healing. He has extensive experience performing and curating shows throughout the Midwest.
Poet
J.Dontah
J.Dontah is a lifelong multifaceted creative hailing from Newark NJ. Her 10-year tenure in the Columbus arts community has helped mold her identities as a poet, writer, educator, freedom fighter, and Black joy advocate. As one of the founding members of The Giovanni Collective, J. Dontah has curated poetry experiences including open mics, youth poetry slams, and writing workshops, and performed on stages across Columbus such as the Columbus Arts Festival and Lincoln Theatre. Lovingly known as the “Short Poem Shawty,” J. Dontah has proven that poetry is powerful in any form.
Poet
Kaleem
Kaleem, formerly known as Speak Williams, is a lyricist, producer, and entrepreneur from Columbus, OH. His passion for words range from poetry, freestyle hip-hop to songwriting. He is well respected for his storytelling abilities, embodying many voices and perspectives while rhyming with deep conviction on a range of topics.
DJ
Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson
Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson is the assistant professor of Creative Practice in Popular Music at The Ohio State University. The Tulsa-based producer and DJ is a southern, soulful, sampled-based beat maker and songwriter who utilizes sound to educate and liberate community through music and stories. Inspired by the likes of Big K.R.I.T., Bobbi Humphrey, Dr. Dre, The Dream, Quincy Jones, Kaytranada, Missy Elliott & DJ Mr. Rogers, Dr. View got his name not only from his PhD, but from his southern roots in Longview, TX. Dr. View received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 2019. His dissertation, entitled Curriculum of the Mind: A BlackCrit, Narrative Inquiry Hip-Hop Album on Anti-Blackness & Freedom for Black Male Collegians at historically white institutions, received the 2019 Bobby Wright Dissertation of the Year Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). This was the first time a hip-hop dissertation or non-traditional dissertation ever received the award. Dr. View is the founder and executive producer of Fire in Little Africa, a multimedia Hip Hop project that was released in May 2021 and accumulated more than seven million views across all digital streaming platforms. In addition, Dr. View is the 2023 Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellow at Harvard University, which is named after iconic hip-hop artist, Nas. The Nasir Jones Fellowship program funds scholars and artists who demonstrate exceptional scholarship and creativity in the arts in connection with hip-hop, seeking projects that represent individual creative and/or intellectually rigorous contributions to hip-hop and its discourse through personal projects.
Visual Artist
Francesca Miller
Francesca Miller is a visual artist from Columbus, Ohio. With the elements of color and movement mostly, Francesca creates visually compelling works that evoke a sense of joy, gratitude and inspiration in the viewer. Francesca graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019 with a bachelors in Art Education. Since graduating, she has been able to use art as a tool to heal, empower and help build community.