**Be Steadwell** (They, She, He, Be) Be is a queer pop composer and author from Washington DC. Be's goal as an artist is to write love stories centering Black girlies, introverts and weirdos. Be earned a BA in Black Studies from Oberlin College and an MFA in film from Howard University. Be's short films Vow of Silence and Black Tea (2025) screened in film festivals around the world, including Black Star, HBO OutFest, The Schomburg Center, Inside Out Toronto and The Bush Films. In 2019, Be wrote and directed Dear Ex, the musical. Dear Ex imagines a queer black woman's experience of healing after a breakup. In 2021 Be released their pop and R&B album- Succulent. In 2023, Be joined the cast of Parable of the Sower the Opera by Toshi Reagon and Dr Bernice Johnson Reagon. Be released their debut romance novel Chocolate Chip City in 2025. Be currently lives in Baltimore. They tour their music and work as an adjunct lecturer at Howard University. **Medusa’s Muse** Medusa's Muse is a dynamic musical duo celebrating the multifaceted experience of the girls, gays and theys. Grit and grace; beauty with bite; music that’s guided by intuition, experience, and education. Medusa’s Muse is comprised of DMV born & raised best friends and collaborators Kara Levchenko and Indyah Larae - who combine forces to bring their own sound and unique perspective to the indie music scene. Indyah is a dancer, actor & singer who brings her love of RnB center stage in her vulnerable writing and effortlessly beautiful tone. Kara is a singer/songwriter and producer who places soulful vocals and ethereal soundscapes at the forefront. The two share an electric stage chemistry and their original music features thick harmony, raw lyrics and undeniably catchy hooks. The duo use music to uplift the BIPOC and queer communities; both of which are important to each creative’s experience. **Veronique** Commanding a three-octave range and a sentimental nature, Veronique is a DC-based singer-songwriter with roots in South Florida. Deeply influenced by jazz and folk vocalist Nina Simone and piano-pop singer Sara Bareilles, Veronique weaves strong vocals with witty, sometimes uncouth, confessional lyrics that will make you laugh right before bringing you to tears. She daylights as a lawyer in the gender justice movement, hoping for a world where more people can live with the dignity and delight they’re entitled to. Presented by Songbyrd. This is an all ages event