Raven Makale is a poet, spoken word artist, and creative leader from Cleveland, Ohio. She merges artistry and leadership to create spaces that amplify authentic voices. Raven is the 76th Miss Central State University and a two-time graduate, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration. Raven has organized, facilitated, and performed at artistic events across universities, nonprofits, and businesses. Her performances are celebrated for their passion and depth, inspiring audiences to reflect, heal, and envision new possibilities.

Calil “JUST C.O.S.” Cage is a spoken word artist, author, and speaker. As the founder, he currently serves as the Executive Director of The Sparrow’s Fortune, a community oriented literary arts organization, and the host of Poetry Unplugged, an open mic platform. From being marked as a Karamu House “Room in the House” Fellow to being a recipient of the ADAMHS Board’s Helping Hands Award, Calil is decorated in the field of merging poetry with advocacy. Learn more about him and get in contact at www.justcos902.com.

DJ Ik Dubaku is a staple of the Cleveland nightlife scene and performs in New York and cities across the country, known for genre-blending sets across R&B, Funk, House, Afrobeats, Afrohouse, and Hip-Hop. He has shared stages with and performed for international acts including Kool & the Gang, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Oxlade, and was nominated by Cleveland Magazine for Best DJ in 2024 and 2025. He is also the creator of The Early Start, a Cleveland pop-up party that is changing the rules of nightlife by hosting themed events earlier in the evening, making space for people who love music, dancing, and community but don’t want to stay out late.