BHM Artists Features Week One
SIERRA JAMERSON - MUSICIAN
Sierra Jamerson, local musician.
I saw Sierra live at The Yardbird Suite performing a tribute to Erykah Badu, and I was mesmerised. The entire show was transformative, as she had woven historical information and inspirational quotes from Black artists and activists into the performance which not only gave context to the work being performed, but also gave insight into the experience of the artist, and of Black people experiencing racism and oppression, as well as hope and incredible optimism.
Misha Nelson, music teacher
Whether she graces the stage with simply her piano and a song, or with her electrifying band, Sierra Jamerson bares her soul on stage. With climbing vocals and locked in grooves, Sierra's authenticity often moves audiences to laughter and tears. Sonically, she is described as "Fiona Apple and Erykah Badu all wrapped into one”. While she can demonstrate her vocal prowess in nearly any genre from reggae to rock, her heart finds its home in the Jazz, RnB, and introspective pop music she grew up on.
Sierra Jamerson is more than just a singer. Her music, teaching, and community work all follow the same arrow: to be of service to others in their healing journey. She is a strong advocate for marginalized children, youth and families. She facilitates workshops, classes, clinics, support groups and offers mentorship in both music and wellness. She is also a passionate voice on behalf of Indigenous and African-American issues, driven to eradicate poverty and poor social and health outcomes for her people. Sierra is a spirit healer, a painter, a tarot reader, a lover, a teacher and a warrior woman following in the footsteps of the many Grandmothers before her.
ALTHEA CUNNINGHAM - ACTRESS
Althea is a YEG multi-talented performer - an actor, singer, songwriter, playwriter, poet. I had the benefit of learning from her at the Citadel Theatre. She is a beautiful poet - her works touch on so many themes that are important today - especially on topics of Black Lives Matter and inclusion & diversity. She shared this work with the Foote Theatre students - I was so moved. It made me pause, think and connect with my own identity and understand the importance of embracing this in others. She helped me work through my emotions and connect them to the actual real world issues that are occurring all around us. One of my favourite things was the importance of finding your own voice and speaking your own truth.
Emma Yee, Grade 11
Althea Cunningham
Althea is on faculty at the Foote Theatre School. Her bio from their website: Althea Cunningham, is an interarts practitioner and graduated with distinction from Grant MacEwan University Theatre Arts. As an established actor she has appeared on television, in film, and on stages across Canada. She has worked with the television and film companies Coast Mountain Productions, Farewell Productions and Tooth Fairy Productions. Theatre companies include Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Western Canada Theatre, National Ice Theatre of Canada, Francis Winspear Centre, Fringe Theatre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Leave It To Jane, and the Plain Jane Theatre. Theatre recognition comes by way of Theatre Alberta Professional Development scholarship, Edmonton Arts Community Investment grant, Edmonton Arts Council travel grant, Edmonton Arts Council Cultural diversity grant, Alberta Foundation for the arts grant and a Elizabeth Sterling Awards nomination for best independent play The Vibrator play with Trunk Theatre.
As an award-winning songwriter On The Verge, her independently released soul music ep gained several international accolades and global airplay. On The Verge has been played on Black Soul Rhythms Radio, CJSR Radio, CKUA Radio, Time Trippin Radio, National Campus Radio, Bowl Of Soul Radio and Soultracks. Noteable festivals and showcases are CBC The Key Of A, Sasquatch Festival, Alberta Singer Songwriter Showcase, Beat Niq Jazz & Social Club, Yardbird Suite, Heartsoul Tour and opening for Nuela Charles and Rae Spoon. Her short plays have been produced at festivals in Chicago, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.
In 2018, Althea was accepted into the RBC Emerging Writers Program through Alberta Playwrights Network. Her plays have been read at Script Salon, DapoPo Live in Theatre Festival and Alberta Playwrights Network. Current stage plays in development include Sweet An Nice, The System, Sunkiss To Death, The Snotty Vegan, as well as a collaborative TYA play; Girl That Talks To Her Stomach. Commissioned plays include 2 Metres. In the future her short play, Sunkiss, will be developed into a film. Althea, has been an arts educator with over 13 years of experience. She also worked with Nappy Roots Consolidated and The Arts Connection as a vocal arts coach. As a literary instructor, she has worked with The University of Alberta, Workshop West Theatre, Hip Hop In The Park and The Writers Guild of Alberta. Producing credits include On The Verge EP and Sunkiss To Death the play.
Omar Farah, local poet and engineer.
OMAR FARAH - POET
(Biography from the Edmonton Poetry Festival website) Omar Farah is a 22 year old Somali-Canadian Poet, Engineer-in-training, community builder, and all around “homie”. Although he is relatively new to the spoken word scene, Omar has managed to make a name for himself locally and abroad as the former Edmonton Slam Champion, TedX Speaker, winner of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, and finalist in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. He has performed across Canada and the United states from small local cafes to theatres. His style of rhythmic, complex at times, yet relatable poetry analyzes the world at large from the perspective of African diaspora and aims to transform the biggest of critiques.
