Ann Caldwell
As a solo artist, ensemble vocalist, and music producer, Ann Caldwell is Charleston’s “first lady of jazz.” Performing locally for decades, Caldwell is a jazz and blues singer, and is greatly influenced by the past. She has performed a series of centennial concerts devoted to the music of Duke Ellington and formed the Magnolia Singers to perform the spirituals of times past. She is a master of accents, accurately recreating the tonalities of speech which are important to both jazz and blues.
Stephen Washington – MC
Stephen is a gifted pianist, producer, and visionary whose artistry transcends genres and connects people through music. A Charleston native, Stephen’s musical journey began at age 5, leading to his first role as a church pianist by 11. Now an internationally recognized talent, Stephen draws from diverse influences, including Gospel, Country, Hip Hop, and ’80s Rock, creating a rich and eclectic sound that resonates with audiences everywhere.
Zandrina Dunning – MC
Zandrina is a powerhouse vocalist, producer, and cultural advocate whose dynamic career spans over two decades. No stranger to Charleston music lovers, she is the Executive Artistic Director of The ZD Experience, a multifaceted platform that merges soulful performances with thought-provoking conversations. She hosts the live talk show and podcast on Ohm Radio (96.3FM), which has captivated audiences with its blend of music and meaningful dialogue.
Jirah Perkins – Stage Artist
Jirah Perkins is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Charleston, SC. She has been creating ever since she was a child and now, through UJORII Fine Art, she experiments with a variety of different mediums creating pieces that incorporate bold colors, textures, and her photography archive to generate a sensory experience. “Ujorii” originates from the combination of ujima, meaning collective work and responsibility, and satori, which means sudden enlightenment and understanding. Jirah believes that as a society, it is our duty to cultivate the world as a collective.
Elise Testone
Elise Testone is a powerhouse vocalist whose incredible stage presence and vocal maturity rank with the best Hers is the perfect combination of soul, rock, attitude and restraint. Equally as impressive and at ease belting James Brown style vocals over a relentless funk groove as she is resting her voice gently over a ballad, this former American Idol finalist’s range of influences and vocal capacity know few limits.
Solae’ ENT
Solae’ ENT, blends traditional West African dance with a modern twist, accompanied by energetic drumming and instruments. The show includes Gullah storytelling, call-and-response chants, Gullah history, insights into Swahili and Gullah Geechee, and uplifting Gospel spirituals, offering an engaging and educational cultural experience.
Nameless Numberhead
From training at the world-renowned comedy institutions of Chicago (The Second City, iO, and The Annoyance), to performing Off-Broadway, or even touring nationally; Nameless Numberhead has developed a highly acclaimed comedy brand in the southeast. They draw upon years of experience to cultivate the best creative projects using the teachings and philosophy of Chicago style improvisation.
Shaquira Langley
Teachers are the building blocks of our nation, yet overworked and underpaid, their voices are often silenced while policymakers make decisions on their behalf. Shaquira Langley inspires us to support teachers on the front lines of education by amplifying their voices and sparking conversations to build a better future for teachers, students, and the nation.
Alli Stovall
Traditionally, vital life skills such as self-advocacy, emotional intelligence, and goal-setting were taught at the family dinner table. But with shifting family dynamics—such as single-parent households and caretakers working multiple jobs—many young people are missing out on these essential lessons. Alli Stovall will reveal how these overlooked gaps are holding Gen Z back and why creating access to foundational life skills is key to empowering the next generation.
Matthew Toresco
To revolutionize healthcare, we must empower patients as central decision-makers. Through industry advocacy, we can bridge gaps between providers, patients, and policymakers to drive equitable, patient-centric care to address vital community needs. With two decade in health care dedicated to patient advocacy, Matt Toresco wants to drive a patient-centric revolution from the ground up, empowering patients, providers, and advocates to collaborate, creating a model for equitable care that can inspire broader change. Together, we can reshape healthcare.