This group exhibition offers contemporary artistic depictions of women of African descent, focusing specifically on their interiority. Rather than examining women through the objectivity of their bodies, the artists portray African Diasporan women as active participants in their own visual representations. Ain’t I A Woman features works in painting, video, installation and mixed media by damali abrams, Eric Alugas, Kimberly Becoat, Priscila De Carvalho, Andrea Chung, Elizabeth Colomba, William Mwazi, Kenya (Robinson), Phoenix Savage and Francis Simeni. Taking its title from the 1885 speech given by orator and activist Sojourner Truth, this exhibition attempts to move the conversation toward the intellectual, emotional and spiritual components in the lives of women of African descent. In addition, each featured artist is paired with an African female poet, selected from The Heinemann Book of African Women’s Poetry and uses the poets’ literary works as inspiration. The exhibition curator, Kimberli Gant, also adds a participatory component. Every visitor will receive a card to answer questions on their own perspectives of women of African descent. The finished cards will be placed on one of the gallery walls for others to view and contemplate for the duration of the exhibition.

VALERIE JUNE Valerie June is a true original and an emerging star in the Memphis music scene. A self-taught guitar and banjo player, composer and troubadour of heartbreak ballads, folk songs, spirituals, soul-stirring blues and what she calls “Organic Moonshine Roots Music.” Valerie seeks to preserve traditional music. KAMERON CORVET The Cincinnati-born, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter gained international recognition with his first release Sayingthings in 2006. His mix of smooth soul and thoughtful lyrics combine the sweet sultry vocals of Maxwell and the literary class of Sting. Just back from a tour of France, Kameron Corvet, proves that there is always room in rock music for a young man with soulful vocals and compelling lyricism.