meet our incredible artists
Kahsaia de Brito
Kahsaia de Brito is an Undeclared second year in Weinberg who has a passion for many of the arts, including the fine arts, dance, music, theater, and poetry. Currently, she is involved in the student dance group B Burlesque. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry in her journal, listening to music, and collaging.
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What Inspires Kahsaia?
Her inspiration for creating art comes from her love and need to explore nature and science, rethink current social structures, and appreciate all the beautiful simple things in life.
Maya Schnake
Maya Schnake is a Junior at Northwestern University majoring in Theatre and Psychology. Aside from acting, she enjoys all kinds of art and has done graphic design for numerous groups and plays on campus! Outside of classes, meetings, and rehearsal, she enjoys cooking and reading, and her greatest passions in life include acting, art, and her dog, Lucy.
What Inspires Maya?
Flora and fauna; nature photography; other artists!
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Bengi Rwanbuhemba
Bengi Rwabuhemba is a storyteller and critical thinker currently in her second year studying Cultural Anthropology, Global Health, and Critical Theory. Originally from Uganda but geographically suspended her whole life, she is drawn to culture(s) and how it informs who we are; looking into themes such as belonging, "home," identity, and representation. An expert procrastinator, you can find Bengi philosophizing, engrossed in a book/art, or watching videos on YouTube.
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What inspires Bengi?
Art inspires me more than anything, and this includes everything from the visual arts, storytelling, performance, and music. In times of uncertainty, I look to art for clarity. I am particularly drawn to the ways in which Africans around the world are using art to express themselves, their identities, their beliefs, their fears, their hopes. This is my axis.
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Olivia Pierce
Olivia Pierce, also known as Moyana Olivia, is a singer/songwriter from Minnesota. As a first-year at Northwestern University, she is studying Music in tandem with African-American Studies in order to transform music into an avenue for social justice. In her free time, she sings as a member of Northwestern's Soul4Real a cappella group, and enjoys playing piano, writing, and reading outside. You can find her original music on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Amazon, and all other major music platforms under Moyana Olivia.
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What inspires Olivia?
I am inspired primarily by my younger sisters. As a creator, I have an opportunity through my platform to teach them and all other Black children that they matter, and that they are loved and deserving of love. I am involved in activism in order to work towards a world where every child feels free to follow their dreams, and has access to every opportunity that they could imagine. I am also inspired by the idea of joy as resistance. While it is crucial to raise awareness to inequalities in order to advocate for social change, I believe it is also important to uplift moments of joy. The positive songs in my discography generate a balance of action and celebration within my music, sharing the message that one's existence is never rooted solely in resistance. Together, my music represents the future I am working towards, where each of us can live and love freely.
Kadin Mills
Kadin Mills is a freshman journalism student at Northwestern, hoping to focus on magazine and editorial writing. Kadin is a descendant of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, located in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In his free time, Kadin enjoys artistry that knows no bounds: painting, baking, making music, sewing, and so much more. He also enjoys a good hike/adventure and spending time with his Pit Bull, Rita.
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What inspires Kadin?
Recently, Kadin has been inspired by the traditional arts of the Ojibwe people (Anishinaabeg). Growing up disconnected from the tribe, it has been difficult for him to reconnect with the language and culture that has nearly been forgotten. His inspiration began with his first powwow where he was given his first piece of jewelry: a medicine bag. Since arriving at Northwestern, Kadin has been able to connect with indigenous students and faculty at to learn the stories of his ancestors... all while uncovering the truth of his great-grandmother, Mary Josephine DeCota, who was raised in the Catholic orphanage of Baraga, MI. In his recent works, Kadin explores the relationships between generational knowledge and contemporary indigeneity... this hunger fed by nothing less than a crippling caffeine addiction and sleepless nights.
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Karina Karbo-Wright
Karina (she/they) is a junior at Northwestern studying African American Studies, Sociology, and Legal Studies. She works at the Social Justice Education office and the Writing Center. In her free time, Karina loves reading fantasy books, watching movies (especially the marvel ones), and building community. Karina is extremely active in the community as they strive towards equity, justice, and liberation for all through abolition of militarized forces and the Prison Industrial Complex.
What inspires Karina?
LIBERATION!