In this special evening, critically acclaimed Grammy-winning instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello, along with her band and guests, shares her resonant, ever-evolving exploration of American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist, James Baldwin. Inspired by the way Baldwin empowered others through the written word, Ndegeocello uses music as her vehicle to engage others in the challenge and promise of Baldwin’s powerful body of work.

Throughout her decades long career, Ndegeocello has eschewed genre for originality, celebrity for longevity, and musical trends for musical truths. Fans have come to expect the unexpected and followed her on sojourns into soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, rock, all bound by the search for love, justice, respect, and resolution. Those sonic investigations have defied and redefined the industry expectations of women, queer artists, and black music for over 30 years, and she remains one of few women who write the music, sing the songs, and lead the band.