The Green Room

In our evolving, ever-changing world, one constant is advocating for societal change. This includes posting on social media, speaking at an event, calling your local congressman and talking to your extended family during the holidays. Ensuring your voice is heard comes in many forms, but especially in the arts. 

At the forefront of art activism is Samora Pinderhughes, a composer, pianist, vocalist, filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, who has blurred the lines between creation and emotional healing. In doing so, he has built on his artistic talents to inspire silenced stories and drive social change. From his work at The Juilliard School in New York City to pursuing his doctoral degree at Harvard University in creative practice and critical inquiry, he lives at the intersection of art and activism.  

Pinderhughes’ education and musical journey has consistently examined socio-political issues. In 2014, Pinderhughes founded The Healing Project when asked to make an interview-based artistic work for his mentor, Anna Deavere Smith, at the Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue at New York University. 

The Healing Project brought together the stories of people impacted by structural violence. What started as just 10 interviews quickly transformed into a cohort of more than 100 people. Each conversation shined a light on intergenerational stories across 15 states in the United States. People reflected on systemic trauma and their individual experiences while highlighting methods of care that benefited their recovery and survival. 

Recording stories was just the beginning. Pinderhughes brought these experiences to life by encouraging fellow artists to create work that responded to the interviewees' emotions. A group of world-class artists explored various mediums, including an album, short film, museum exhibition and concert. 

In 2022 and 2023, the dynamic portfolio premiered internationally at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Carnegie Hall. The Healing Project also included a workshop to sustain connections with the original group of interviewees through artistic and advocacy-oriented projects. 

Today, The Healing Project continues with a desining of an advocacy program to push for policy change in areas of decarceration, violence prevention and healing practices. The Healing Project exemplifies the power of storytelling through artistic mediums. This is foundational to Pinderhughes' work. 

Some of his other projects include “The James Baldwin Essays: Examining the American Dream Narrative” commissioned by Harlem Stage; The Migration of Protest: Meditations on Jacob Lawrence” for the Museum of Modern Art; and “Billy Strayhorn: the Sutherland Period” for the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Pinderhughes’ influential work has made him the first ever Art for Justice + Soros Justice Fellow, a United States Artist Fellow, and a recipient of Chamber Music America’s Michael Jaffee Visionary Award.

His music, theater and poetry examines “the radical history of resistance within the communities of African Diaspora” (Harvard University), brings attention to silenced stories and creates new conversations. The New York Times described Pinderhughes as “one of the most affecting singer-songwriters today, in any genre” that “turn(s) the experience of living in community inside-out, revealing all its personal detail and tension, and giving voice to registers of pain that are commonly shared but not often articulated.”

Pinderhughes will bring his music, honesty and storytelling to the Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Come experience his raw talents for yourself, you do not want to miss this opportunity. Purchase your tickets here before they’re gone.