HellaBlack Vol. 8: Genesis — curated by Amanda Shea with Associate Curator Alanna Logan — asks the performing artists: What does it mean to begin again? In moments of change, how do you find the courage to transform, to emerge, to build something new? Rooted in rebirth and growth, Genesis invites artists to explore evolution and becoming, where creative expression reflects both personal journeys and the shifting world around us.

Now in its 8th year, HellaBlack continues to create a safe space for the Black community to celebrate intersections of Blackness through dance, music, and spoken word, dispelling the myth of Blackness as a monolith. A signature program of the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA), the event remains part of BCA’s commitment to advancing race equity.

This year marks the first-ever youth edition, featuring artists ages 18–24, and a dynamic lineup including:

L.J. Gabriel, spoken word artist

Sophia, musician

$hmoney, dancer

Maya Divine, spoken word artist

Dior Stacks, rapper

Val Lapree, spoken word artist

Stax, spoken word artist and singer

HellaBlack Vol. 8: Genesis takes over the BCA Cyclorama on Friday, May 29, and is free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of the Mayor’s Office of Art’s & Culture (MOAC). RSVP is required to secure your spot, as space is limited.