Kaze4Letters

Kaze4letters is a Durham based Rap artist who has experience in many aspects of the music industry. Kaze was a founding member of UNC student organization Hip-Hop Nation, which promoted local MCs, DJs, poets, and graffiti artists. He is now co-owner of Vibehouse 405 a recording studio and creative space, dedicated to the creation and expression of music, art, media and culture. He is also the director of arts and culture for the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. He has collaborated with many local organizations and musicians coordinating the Save the Music series which strives to support the local artist community, bring attention to local talent and bring people out to enjoy what’s going on downtown. His latest album ‘A Thousand Shades of Black’ touches on his journeys with creativity, identity and the diversity of Blackness in all forms.

Lydia Salett Dudley

Lydia Salett Dudley is a jazz and gospel pianist and singer living in the Raleigh-Durham area. Her first exposure to music came from the local Baptist church in Cleveland Ohio which was instrumental in providing experience in playing for various groups of children and adults. Her nonprofit organization The Salett Art Center, Inc. is geared to serve at-risk youth by provide music education that empowers each individual to express their own voice.  She currently sits on board of The Heart of Carolina Jazz organization. She often performs with her band Jazz Xpressions, which consists of music educators and performers.  Her 2020 single  ‘Whatcha Gonna Say’ addresses racism, political issues and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Souls of Joy

Souls of Joy sings current and old school gospel music that will uplift, inspire, and bring joy to the souls of our community.

SunQueen Kelcey

SunQueen Kelcey has two things at the center of her music: body positivity and radical self love. Her musical style is a genre-bending collage of hip-hop, soul, rock, and contemporary R&B, call it soul-rock. She delivers an energetic and passionate performance complete with her live band The Soular Flares. Kelcey grew up in a small North Carolina town called Southern Pines, absorbing a broad range of music from Mary J Blige, Nina Simone, and Jill Scott to Queen and Rage Against the Machine. She has overcome a series of obstacles to get to where she is now, rising above loss and personal setbacks to find her own voice and pursue her artistic dreams. Her commitment to empowerment is what helped Kelcey sign a record deal with indie label, Smart Mouth Records LLC based in Durham, NC. Her new album, “See Attached” explores her interpretation of heartbreak, toxic relationships and mental health.

Tracks in the Stacks: A.yoni Jeffries

With her soulful, spiritual sound, A.yoni Jeffries takes listeners on a journey through the depths of emotions. With her unconfined range, the afro-indigenous singer/songwriter spans multiple genres adding her own soulful twist. As a talented songwriter, her music is driven by strong melody – featuring upbeat records and ballads that takes listeners to the most beautiful, yet forgotten places internally. Her vocal style stresses love and creativity and provides the listener permission to feel. Soulbounce notes that “A.yoni’s work intersects with her art as she creates accessible spaces, fosters community, and encourages people to hear, see, and feel themselves in her music.”

Tracks in the Stacks: Austin Royale

Austin Royale the rapper, producer, songwriter from Durham, North Carolina constantly recreates himself. As he continues experimenting with various musical styles, and blending genres. Currently he is prepping the upcoming release of his debut album, “PLAN | A”. Previously performing under the name A-10, at the age of 24 Austin has been an ongoing influence in the local music scene for almost a decade. He has performed all over North Carolina as well as nationally, collaborating and sharing stages with numerous national recording artists.

Tracks in the Stacks: XOXOK

Keenan Jenkins, XOXOK, began his musical career during his Ph.D. studies at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he played open mics and local showcases at venues such as Jack Sprat, Local 506, and The Station between long days on the third floor of the psychology building. XOXOK crafts atmospheric soul music that is conceived on the fretboard, cultivated at the microphone, and cradled in headphones. The guitar and vocal influences are far-flung, but cohesive—see Jeff Buckley, Moses Sumney, and Anna Calvi, among others. His live performance is a model of intimacy and presence; armed with “sweet, ringing vocals” (Queen City Nerve), XOXOK delivers impassioned songs with unabashed conviction.

Storytime With Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons will read her book “Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations” and talk about her inspiration for the book. Intended for grades K-2.

About Kelly

Growing up in a family that encouraged and inspired her creativity, Kelly’s writing started with her diary and transitioned to poems, essays and fantasy tales. She read her stories to her family who would cheer her efforts, boost her confidence and motivate her to keep writing. She longed to join the ranks of the artists whose writing she had come to love in high school — Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison and Lorraine Hansberry. Her books have been inspired by many things, including Black historical events, her relationship with her family, and a desire to see greater representation of Black children in books. She has created more than a dozen titles featuring African-American characters and celebrating trailblazing figures.

Show your support by supporting Kelly’s favorite organizations:

• The Brown Bookshelf
• African American Cultural Celebration at the NC Museum of History
• Amplify Black Stories

Storytime With Ms. Frances

Ms. Frances from Chapel Hill Public Library will read a couple of stories to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth.

BIPOC Elected Officials Read the Juneteenth Proclamation

The BIPOC electeds from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough are proud to present the Juneteenth Resolution Reading.