On Friday, April 11, 2025, Indianapolis community members gathered at the historic Madam Walker Legacy Center to experience experience a transformative evening of Black art and music, marking a new chapter in the 29-year tradition of Art & Soul, presented by Indy Arts Council.
This year’s showcase was curated by Madam Walker Legacy Center—a cultural landmark that stands as a symbol of African American pride, perseverance, and artistic excellence. The soul • real • ism theme was a collaboration by the event’s four featured artists: wearable artist Monique Burts, neo-soul musician Brandon Lott, multimedia digital artist Kierra Ready, and recording artist and actor Akili Ni Mali.
“Art & Soul 2025? A dream. A moment. A MOVEMENT,” said Kierra Ready, whose digital art exhibition, From the Inside Out, welcomed guests as they entered. Her work offered a vivid meditation on Black joy as a spiritual force—radiating from within and flourishing through community, nature, and self-discovery. Her fresh collection features Black women immersed in scenes of literature, sisterhood, and serenity.
The evening unfolded with a soul-stirring performance by Brandon Lott,
who opened his set by saging the stage. Supported by a full band—Ali Cheri (vocals), Carrington Clinton (drums), Arman Habibi (percussion), Ivan Moreland (keys), Joey Rohr (bass), KayLea Nwosu (vocals), Nic Wright (saxophone)—and enhanced by immersive visuals, Lott’s set seamlessly fused original tracks from his 2023 EP Aquadream with fan favorites like “Coffee” and “Glass,” transporting the audience through layered soundscapes and poetic storytelling. “The city will never forget it,” Lott later reflected.
Between performances, emcees Jared Thompson (2016 Art & Soul alumni) and Joshua Thompson (2019 Art & Soul alumni) guided the audience through the program’s legacy and engaged with community members. Meanwhile, DJ SoundsbyCam kept the energy high in anticipation of the next act.
Monique Burts debuted Madam’s Daughters, a dynamic wearable art show inspired by the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker. Through her brand Mo Gio, Burts crafted avant-garde pieces using plaster, metal, human and synthetic hair, and gold hair clips. Mo Gio models Jocelyn Bravo, Faith Ocean, Sherice Tané, and Tasha vogued, danced, and commanded the runway in a tribute to Madam C.J. Walker’s daughter, A’Lelia Walker, and Madam C.J. Walker’s own legacy of style, strength, and defiance. “All of us are her daughters,” Burts shared. “I wanted to show how we’ve all been shaped by her tenacity and boldness.” The color palette drew inspiration directly from the Walker Theatre’s ornate architecture.
Closing out the evening, Akili Ni Mali delivered a dynamic and intimate set, beginning with a captivating rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime.” The artist, now based in Chicago, blended reflections on motherhood, partnership, and self-love with tracks from her 2024 EP Changes, including “Up,” “Monarch,” and “9-5.” Her performance, supported by a talented ensemble Charles Platz (guitar), Christopher Pitts (keys), Michael Santos (bass), and Cassius Goens III (drums), left a lasting imprint on the evening.
“I’m a soul-stirrer using music and performances to reflect truth and inspire connection,” Akili said.
The Art & Soul 2025 program is made possible through the support of Lilly Endowment Inc. and will continue throughout the year with Art & Soul Sundays at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, as well as collaborations with Arts for Lawrence, Big Car Collaborative, Brick Street Poetry, the Cabaret, Harrison Center, Indy Dance Festival, Indy Juneteenth, and Touba Gardens.
Photos by Gerald Encarnacion provided by the Madam Walker Legacy Center
