Rhymes Reasons

Kevin Coval is the poet The Chicago Tribune called "the voice of the new Chicago" and The Boston Globe says is the city's "unofficial poet laureate."

Jeff Chang currently serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford University.

José Olivarez is a poet from Calumet City, Illinois. He is a graduate of Harvard University and a founding member of the Teaching Artist Corps at Young Chicago Authors.

Lili K is the 23 year old songstress whose name is quickly popping up in the music world. Her smooth and sultry sound is countered well by her quirky and energetic performances with her live band.

MC Melodee has been active in the music industry for over 15 years. Next to being writer, performer and leader of her band La Melodia with whom she performed all over the globe, she leads a Peer Education Project and is director of a platform for female hiphop artists "Dam Dutchess" in her home base Amsterdam.

Jamilah King is a writer based in New York City. Currently a senior editor at Colorlines, her writing focuses mostly on media, race, and culture.

Toni Blackman is the first Hip Hop artist selected to work as a Cultural Ambassador with the US Department of State.

Che “Rhymefest” Smith is the quintessential renaissance man as a father, husband, entrepreneur and raptivist.