Meklit Hadero is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, composer, National Geographic Explorer and former refugee, known for her electric stage presence, innovative sound and vibrant cultural activism. Her performances have taken her to renowned stages across four continents and her records have topped world music charts and best-of-the-year lists across the US and Europe.
Meklit is the former Head of Creativity and Impact at YBCA in San Francisco. As a sought after thought leader, she has given talks on the TED Mainstage, at the UN, and at the National Geographic Storyteller’s Summit. Meklit is a former Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University and NYU, the co-founder of the Nile Project, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song and the winner of the 2021 globalFEST Artist Award. Her 2020 Kronos Quartet collaboration went viral after a profile in The New York Times. Her work has also been featured by the BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, Vibe Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe and many more. She is the co-founder, co-producer and host of Movement.
DC born, PG & 757 raised, Cheakaity (Cha-ket-ayye) is a Hip-Hop-Soul powerhouse. Growing up in his father’s church, he began playing the drums at 2, singing at 8, and playing keyboard at 12. In high school Cheakaity discovered his love for producing and songwriting. Recently his debut project “Grown Man” received local and national acclaim as well as a Wammie Award for Best Soul Album. Since then, he has performed at notable DC venues such as The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Broccoli City Festival and Union Stage. His Influences are cited as mainly Michael Jackson and Kanye West, but he is often compared to Prince and D’Angelo.
Originally from La Ceiba, Honduras, Gerson first encountered the art form of tap dance after moving to New York City in 2001. He immediately fell in love with the art form after his first exposure. He began tap dance training at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts in the heart of New York’s Harlem neighborhood.
After nearly two decades of a fruitful career as an educator, performer, and choreographer, Gerson continues to find new ground. He recently has been chosen as one of six Strathmore Artists in Residence, featured in Jacob’s Pillow 2022 Summer Festival and the Guggenheim Work and Progress Series, Fall for Dance Festiva 2022, Vail Dance Festival 2023, where he performed with Leo Sandoval’s & Gregory Richardson’s Music from the Sole company. Gerson has headlined the Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center with his jazz quartet in Washington D.C. and was most recently reviewed by the New York Times for work he presented at the New York City Center, Artist at the Center, curated by Ayodele Casel.