BACKGROUND

I founded Heart of the City Festival after identifying a gap in cultural programming that authentically centered Black and brown creatives in my hometown. In 2021, I developed and pitched the concept directly to the city, securing funding to bring the music festival to life. From there, I served as the creative and operational lead—shaping the vision, curating the lineup, and building the team required to execute it. I selected and booked musicians and DJs, established the creative direction for the event, and hired a social media and PR team to drive awareness and attendance. Find more information at @heartofthecitynj on Instagram.