It all starts with a beat,

The heartbeat’s rhythm and the beat of a song are synonymous, 

Improvisation is our native tongue,

Our body and flesh are vessels,

Carrying the wisdom of the ascended.

It’s here, and it has always been here within,

Where circles draw themselves in secret,

Where lines are birthed, wandering just to return,

Where we earn then pass the torch,

Where the end is the beginning,

Where we respond to the call the ones before have given us.

— FAITH

I do nothing without intention. 

At every instance, I seek to synthesize the forms of creation and concepts I’m fascinated by. For my first curatorial project, I sought to create a space that embodied this, encompassing words, society, music production, spirituality, ritual, and Black expression. Recently, I have been going down the rabbit hole of phonetics, the study of speech sounds and their production, intrigued by the complexities hidden in everyday speech. 

In Da Cipher: responding to the call, an exhibition that has been a labor of love for me, we embark on a profound journey of deciphering through the lens of call-and-response rituals. This exhibition is not just a collection of artworks; it is an anthology, a living narrative that intertwines the rhythmic traditions of call-and-response with the exploration of ancestral roots. I define this space as an anthology because of its multiple meanings. I want this space to be seen, heard, and felt as an assemblage of passages, a gathering of flowers, and a selection of works of art. 

Each piece displayed is a thread woven into a larger narrative, inviting you to actively engage with the work and attempt to unravel the concealed meanings. Within my own narrative, I have crossed paths with the selected artists at pivotal chapters in my story. They were there in times of challenge, transformation, and release. They showed me the spirit of community and continue to inspire me. From artworks that portray personal ancestries; to the codes of Black fugitive practice; to immersive soundscapes that echo the spirit of improvisation, the artists of Da Cipher: responding to the call, collectively create an experience that transports viewers into the middle of the circle. I challenged each of them to make a key for their work in place of an explanation in their artist statements, providing a space to share as much or as little as they wish and an opportunity for viewers to try to decipher these Black stories themselves. 

At its core, Da Cipher: responding to the call is more than an exhibition; it is a call for collective reflection. As we navigate this immersive space, consider the broader significance of the themes present: The call-and-response tradition, deeply rooted in Black Indigenous histories, reflects the enduring strength of Black communities worldwide and our means to create something out of nothing. This exhibition invites viewers to consider their ability to access Black histories without direct experience and by (attempting to) decode these narratives, not only engage with Black stories but confront the challenges the Black community has faced and continues to face when going within. The work we do is not easy; researching our genealogies and ancestries is complicated. It is heavy work rooted in generations of trauma and hidden or lost histories. Expressing ourselves creatively is not always seen or elevated as something powerful.

Nevertheless, we respond to the call. This space is meant to be restorative and liberatory for the Black community. It is meant to make some uncomfortable, lost, reflective, inquisitive, affirmed, and inspired. 

I would like to thank The DC Arts Center for this incredible opportunity. I knew when I applied that this would be in alignment with my journey. Thank you all for supporting this PG baby’s vision and for providing a space for me to grow and learn. I would also like to thank my mentor, Jeffry Cudlin, for showing me the way and giving me that necessary hands-on learning experience. I thank fellow Apprentice Curator Benedetta Castrioto for being so supportive and helping me reach clarity in times of need. And I thank my sister, HOPE, and best friend, Tay, for always being there for me through it all. 

Thank you to the performers who came to drop some bars and activate the space. I thank the artists—Geoffrey Edwards, Kalil “kllz” Hunter, Christina Marsh, and Jessica Valoris—for their exceptional work and courage to keep keeping on. It is your energy that makes my first curatorial project so special.

I give thanks to my ancestors and angels above for always guiding me to the light. This is my response to the call. 

“The fabric of black life has often meant its very fabrication, making a way out of no way, and making it up as you go along.” 

Kevin Young
The Grey Album: On the Blackness of Blackness, 2012