Global Black Identity & Artistic Expression

This conversation will explore how diaspora, migration, and cross-cultural connections shape artistic identity and serve as powerful sources of inspiration. Through their discussion, artists will consider how global Black narratives influence their work and how these stories are woven into local artistic expressions with both cultural specificity and universal resonance.

Featured Panelists:

Malayah Reynolds – A Philadelphia-based fine artist whose oil paintings and portraiture explore the intersections of anxiety, mind-body connections, and cultural consciousness. Active in both gallery and mural work.
Instagram: @miarlln

Charles Lyons – A Pittsburgh visual artist whose work draws inspiration from the Hill District, reflecting the community’s history, identity, and lived experiences.
Website: linktr.ee/artbyc.lyons | Instagram: @artbyc.lyons

Tamara Howard – A quilter and founder of The Quilt Empowerment Project, blending Appalachian and African American traditions to preserve cultural memory and foster intergenerational healing through textile art.
Website: www.folkquilts.com | Instagram: @folkquilts

Amani Davis – A Pittsburgh-born physician and visual artist, integrating medical insight with acrylic painting and film photography to explore cultural identity and the human experience.
Instagram: @yardydoc