I honor and acknowledge the original Indigenous inhabitants and stewards of the land I live and work on, including the Munsee Lenape, Canarsee, Rockaway, Wappinger, Reckgawanc, Unkechaug, Haudenesaunee, and more. I recognize that although music communities enrich New York City’s culture and are often underserved and exploited, they also benefit from and contribute to the legacy of dispossession, displacement, and gentrification of marginalized people which began with the original theft of this land. I strive to bring about better relationships and healing through music, dialogue, and activism.
I honor the musical ancestors that laid the foundation for NYC’s pluralistic music culture, including the descendants of enslaved Africans who migrated from the South, immigrants from every corner of the world, and LGBTQIA+ communities and activists who forged new musical expressions and identities through life and resilience in the City.
I honor the elder culture bearers that are still with us, who often go unrecognized and uncompensated for their contributions to our collective musical heritage.
I acknowledge that my existence as a musician is a continuation of the lineage of those who were here before me, who survived and prevailed through the adversity of this urban environment because of their dedication to music. The work that I do is rooted in my commitment to honor this lineage by uplifting my community, embodying a culture of care, and creating change towards a supportive and healthy musical ecosystem that will continue to grow, evolve, and be an essential part of New York City.