RefleXions Music Series, a project funded by the U of A Chancellor's Grant for the Humanities and Performing Arts Initiative, will host its second "Social Impact Through the Arts Conversation Series" event from 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 8, via Zoom.

The event will feature a panel conversation with: 

• "Imani Winds" co-founders, internationally acclaimed musicians and citizen artists Monica Ellis and Toyin Spellman-Diaz,
• Lakisha Bradley, social practice artist, executive director and founder of My-T-By-Design Therapeutic Art Studios,
• Lulu Peredo, outreach director for EngageNWA,
• Marissa Reyes, chief education officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and
• Elicia Smith, executive director for the IDEALS Institute.

Rogelio Garcia-Contreras, director of the Social Innovation Initiative at the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Sam M. Walton College of Business and panel moderator, said the new "Social Impact Through the Arts Conversation Series" aims to foster a conversation around the importance of the arts in general, and of music in particular, as a tool to advocate for social and creative justice, as a space for social and community healing, as a pipeline for leadership and artist agency, and as a unique space for social innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Lia Uribe, director of RefleXions Music Series and panel moderator, said participants can RSVP for the event online, and they will get a Zoom link to join the panel. "We hope our community members know their voice and work in the arts, education and social innovation field is as inspirational as it is important for our region. We will be honored if they can join us and be part of the conversation," Uribe added.  

Learn more about the RefleXions Music Series and its upcoming events at Reflexionsmusic.org. The RefleXions Music Series and residency are sponsored by the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Music, KUAF 91.3 and the Women's Giving Circle.

About the RefleXions Music Series: RefleXions was conceived as a celebration of music, musicians, advocates and audiences, and as a series of events that foster creative justice and diversity through opportunities to reflect, learn, grow, change and teach. The RefleXions team is a collective of U of A individuals from different backgrounds who bring unique perspectives and commitment to the highest standards of scholarship, research and aesthetic diversity. The team includes Erika Almenara of the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Rogelio Garcia-Contreras of the Sam M. Walton College of Business; Antoinette Grajeda and Leigh Wood of KUAF 91.3; Helen Becque, Ronda Mains, Catalina Ortega, Eric Troiano and Lia Uribe of the Department of Music; Laurence Hare of the Department of History; and students Tatianna Mendoza, Olga Khokhryakova, Miranda Pham and Bailey Ross.