Tank and the Bangas

Cecily

Vocalist and songwriter Cecily (pronounced Ses-Suh-Lee) is known for her agile soprano and honest lyrics. The Washington, DC native has a rich, soothing sound rooted in mid-century Soul and Jazz. Often drawing comparisons to Minnie Riperton and Amel Larrieux, her music is imbued with a unique sensuality that informs not only her vocal approach, but also her self-reflecting lyrics.

Cecily has been heralded for her poetic writing style. Grounded in an easy vulnerability, her lyrics speak of deep lessons around self-acceptance, freedom, community and love. 

Praised across all the musical worlds from which she draws influence, Cecily featured on modern jazz stylist José James’ project No Beginning No End 2. She has opened for award winning jazz and soul artists Gregory Porter, Ezra Collective, Nate Smith, and Maysa, R&B stars Johnny Gill, Kenny Lattimore and Elle Varner, folk artist Becca Stevens and alternative soul pioneer Bilal.

Cecily has been featured at the Essence Festival of Culture, Capital Jazz Fest, The Atlanta Jazz Festival and DC Jazz Festival. She has performed multiple times at the legendary Blues Alley and Apollo Music Café, as well as The Kennedy Center, The Hamilton, Howard Theater, and at the VI Annual Mompox, Colombia Jazz Festival, having been invited by the US Embassy.

“Her celestial vocal register and authentic lyrics place her in a lane that few can occupy.” – Soulbounce

Akinola Pedro

Amuche The Poet

Amuchechukwu Nwafor (Amuche The Poet) is a DC-based poet and first-generation born Black American whose poetry touches on the diaspora, sexual advocacy, mental health, and the female experience. Amuche considers her poems to be still life paintings of intimate experiences, emotions and observations.

She is currently the 2026 Sterling A. Brown Teaching Artist-in-Residence Fellow. Amuche co-hosts and curates “Poetry Gallery” a monthly poetry open mic at Station 3510 in Mt. Rainier, MD. She is the author of her debut poetry collection, Salt Water Roots (Day Eight, 2024). Through her writing she aspires to heal, grow and inspire people from all different walks of life.

Pi-Anir the Poet

Pi-Anir the Poet, a spoken word artist from Chicago’s West Side by way of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, is an avid writer who first developed a love for poetry at nine years old. Discovering that writing was a way to escape life’s everyday hardships, she began a love affair with words that would only intensify over time.

With the help of her middle school English teacher, she discovered a sense of release in the joys and complexities of poetry. Described as the quiet type, often most would find her with her head in her notebook, constantly writing. However, a style could never define her; her quatrains, sonnets, and Haikus were never traditional.

Pi-Anir wrote to express what she felt she couldn’t say, and since then, she has written a great deal of poetry, which she shares with others while performing on stage. When Pi-Anir performs, she shows a passion for the art form that translates to those listening. A poet who is well-versed in raw emotions, from extremely soft to hardcore, she is not timid in conveying what she believes.

Pi-Anir began mentoring young poets and developed a creative writing and poetry program for troubled teens at an alternative high school. Tapping into the difficulty faced in her childhood, cultivating young minds, and giving them a voice became another outlet for this multifaceted performer.

Her Poetic work includes a host of local venues and performances in several states across the US. Pi-Anir has also shared her work abroad in Iceland and Amsterdam.

Pi-Anir has opened for Sunni Patterson at the Juneteenth celebration in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and shared a stage with Grammy-nominated Maimouna Youssef (MuMu Fresh) at Apache Cafe in Atlanta. With her newly released book “To the Goddess in my Garden: A Book of Poetry and Self-Reflection,” Pi-Anir has turned her pain into purpose. With community activism at the forefront, she has made it her mission to give back to those who serve. Domestic Violence, Sexual assault, and Endangered children’s organizations are near to her heart, and through her poetry, Pi-Anir works tirelessly to raise funds to benefit these programs.

Since 2022, Pi-Anir the Poet has embraced being a full-time artist after becoming the Program Director for Creative Suitland Arts Center, a non-profit organization in Suitland, MD. Furthering her mission to create Art with a purpose, Pi-Anir has launched several programs that center on at-risk youth, LGBTQIA, and the underserved community she serves.

Based on her childhood and the lack of safe spaces for children like herself to find refuge, cultivating a diverse, safe space where everyone can experience the magic of art is the root of Pi-Anir’s advocacy. Pi-Anir the Poet can be found on Instagram and Facebook at Pianirthepoet and can be reached at [email protected]