Author of the article

Zakiyyah is an artist-changemaker who utilizes music and visual media to explore themes that centralize marginalized communities via her production company, Black and Bold Productions. As an actress and classically-trained singer who is well-versed in Opera, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and R&B, she employs her extremely versatile skill-set to reach a broad range of audiences and craft a sound that is uniquely her own--including her most well-known, "Hip-Hopera". She’s had the pleasure of bringing these sounds to numerous audiences from the House of Blues to the United Nations. In addition to her artistic practice, Zakiyyah has served as an educator, teaching voice through the Hamilton Garrett Music and Arts Academy and Harvard’s Holden Voice Program. She also served as the Season Partner for Boston Children’s Chorus’ 22-23 fiscal year and provides workshops on Creative Disruption at various schools throughout New England. Her Tedx Talk, “Being Good Is a Privilege” highlights the repercussions of overlooking class in our quest for social change. Her upcoming album, African Import, provides a window into both the beauty and complexity of the black diaspora, and the significance of its consumption by mainstream society. For more information on Zakiyyah Sutton and view his other artwork, visit: https://www.zakiyyahofficial.com/