The Check-In: Fall 2025

FALL 2025 | ISSUE NO. 18

check-in. the

IMPACTFUL PRESENCE Join us for a special conversation with BAN’s 2025 Scholarship Benefit Soiree Honorees, Pat Bonner and Jason Moran (Jazz ‘93)

inside.

Executive Board President Denise Ward (Vocal '12)

Vice President

Capra Fellows (Theatre '11)

Secretary Gabby Byrd (Vocal '11)

3

12 4

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

HAPPENINGS

THE COMMONS

Treasurer Kierra Martin (Dance '13)

Parliamentarian

14

Malcolm Jackson (Instrumental '10)

Committee Chairs

20

Communications Chair Jordan Woods (Dance '13)

CONVERSATION: PAT BONNER & JASON MORAN

Engagement Chair Edward Bell (Vocal '10)

Scholarship Chair

INTERLUDE

Taylar Lewis (Theatre '11)

Contributors Malcolm Jackson Kiara Wade (Vocal ‘13) Raechelle Steward (Instrumental ‘08) Denise Ward Gabby Byrd, Editor

21 22 SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

24 CALL BOARD CLASS NOTES

26 27 IN MEMORIAM WHO WE ARE ON THE COVER Pat Bonner and Jason Moran.

Photo courtesy of Andre Kelley.

@hspvablackalumninetwork @hspvablackalumninetwork

linktr.ee/hspvablackalumninetwork

T TA AB B LL EE O O FF C CO ON NTTEEN NTTSS

WRITE: Share your thoughts on this issue of The Check-In and anything else PVA-related at admin@hspvablackalumni.com

HSPVA Black Black Alumni Alumni Network Network || 2 2 HSPVA

Friends, It’s been a while. We know it’s been almost a year since our last Check-In, and so much has happened with the HSPVA Black Alumni Network since last fall!

This month marks eight years of this incredible community—a space created to connect and celebrate Black alumni while championing the next generation of HSPVA creatives. We started off with a free Canva account and a dream, and look at us now!

What started as a few folks wanting to stay in touch has grown into something much bigger and more meaningful than any of us could have imagined.

I love that we’re now at a point where we have our own “traditions.” Our last event, the Senior Pinning, has become one of my favorites—it’s where alumni return to pin graduating seniors. It’s a simple, beautiful rite of passage that perfectly symbolizes the village we’ve built by uplifting each other and lovingly guiding the next generation.

With that next generation in mind, we raised over $50,000 towards our scholarship fund while celebrating Pat Bonner and Jason Moran at our 2025 Scholarship Benefit Soirée.

That night was everything. It was a moment for Black joy, a multi-generational reunion, and a purpose-filled evening that reminded us of how powerful we are when we come together to intentionally invest in our future and honor those who paved the way.

We’ve also been able to provide amazing in-person and virtual programming to the network, thanks to our partnership with Janice Bond at ART IS BOND Gallery. From workshops to insightful discussions, alumni and students connected, learned, and grew together.

Of course, this year has had heartbreaks, too. The cancellation of the HSPVA Black History Production—after 45 years—hit us hard. That show was where many of us found our voice, confidence, and sense of belonging. Losing it hurts, but it reminds us why we fight to protect the spaces that shaped us—and why we’ll keep showing up for one another, for our students, and for the legacy we carry forward. We’re not giving up or backing down.

Even with ups and downs, I’m inspired by how our alumni continue to show up. I invite you to turn the pages and see all we’ve accomplished this year. As you do, think about how you can get involved by mentoring, volunteering, attending events, or sharing your story.

Thank you for being part of this family and keeping HSPVA’s Black legacy alive.

PEACE & BLESSINGS, Denise Ward, PRESIDENT HSPVA BLACK ALUMNI NETWORK

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

a note from the pres.

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 3

the

commons.

This is where you’ll see photos from

Recent BAN Events

creative bond mixer ART IS BOND - October 2024

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 4

and information about

Upcoming Events.

Photos from BAN’s 2024 Speed Mentor Match.

speed mentor match HSPVA - November 2024 Be a mentor!

Are you an alum who wants to be a mentor for BAN and BSU’s Annual Speed Mentor Match on November 11, 2025 at 5pm CT? Fill out the form here or email us at admin@hspvablackalumni.com to begin registration.

coffee & connections: ms. bonner NYC - November 2024

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 5

holiday jam

Photos from BAN’s 2024 Holiday Jam.

Studio Eight08 - December 2024

It’s officially holiday season and almost time for our winter Homecoming!

Mark your calendars now and join us at Studio Eight08 for this year’s Annual Holiday Jam on December 28, 2025 at 6pm!

Experience great music, rekindle old connections, and make room for new memories!

Tickets on sale soon via Eventbrite.

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 6

scholarship benefit soiree The Nichols Venue - March 2025

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 7

senior pinning, scholarship award ceremony, & sunset soiree Studio Eight08 - June 2025

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 8

2025 Creative Team Meetings Interested in planning events, cultivating new programs, creating digital content, connecting with alumni, or supporting current students — we’d love to have you on the HSPVA Black Alumni Network Creative Team!

Join us every six weeks on Saturdays at 10am CT via Zoom:

Alumni Micro-Grant

NOVEMBER 8

MARCH 14

DECEMBER 20

APRIL 25

JANUARY 31

JUNE 6

Application Deadline: December 1, 2025

We are proud to support our talented alumni through this grant program aimed at fostering creative endeavors in the performing and visual arts. This grant is intended to assist alumni in producing or participating in public showcases of their work.

Eligible applicants must: ● Be Black alumni of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) ● Be actively involved in the planning, production, or performance of a public showcase in the performing or visual arts ● Have a confirmed or expected showcase date between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026

Email us for more info at admin@hspvablackalumni.com

THE COMMONS

the

commons.

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 9

A Legacy Worth Protecting Honoring 45 Years of the Black History Production at HSPVA and Advocating for Its Future For more than 45 years, the HSPVA Black History Production has been more than just a performance—it has been a rite of passage, a cultural celebration, and a bold declaration that Black stories matter.

This beloved tradition began in 1980, when students—supported by faculty member Ms. Bobbie Moorehead—created the first HSPVA Black History Production. Since then, it has evolved into a vibrant showcase of the beauty, complexity, and joy of the Black experience, uplifting Black history, the diaspora, and the richness of our stories through the arts. For generations of HSPVA students, it has fostered pride, belonging, and freedom of expression while strengthening the school’s legacy of artistic excellence.

When news of its cancellation reached our community without warning or transparency, the collective response was swift and powerful. To the students who spoke up, the parents who rallied, the alumni who organized, and the broader community who stood in solidarity—we thank you. Your passion reminded us all of the profound importance of protecting not just programs, but the purpose behind them.

This past May, BAN leaders met with Principal Dr. Priscilla Rivas to understand the rationale and offer support in preserving the production. We were told the decision was based on curricular conflicts, strain on resources, student wellness concerns, a shift toward process over product, lack of inclusivity, and efforts to promote equity. A smaller-scale student showcase within the Diversity Series—Koffee House—was named as its replacement for the mainstage Black History Production.

In response, BAN held a virtual town hall with parents, current students, and alumni to ensure our community was informed and had a voice. Many students and families shared that they had not been meaningfully engaged before the decision, leaving them blindsided and excluded from a process that directly affects them.

THE COMMONS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 10

The Black History Production is a symbol of what is possible when institutions invest in Black creativity as an essential part of the school’s cultural and artistic identity—not just during Black History Month. To reframe or reduce this tradition without genuine collaboration sends a message that its value is conditional.

We are calling for: The firs

Transparency about the future of the Black History Production, including clarity on whether it will return in its full scope and spirit.

Equity of investment, ensuring the production receives the same resources, artistic attention, and institutional support as other major school-wide performances.

Shared decision-making, where students, parents, faculty, and alumni come together to safeguard this legacy and shape its future.

t HSPV A Black Produc History tion in 1980

The HSPVA Black Alumni Network remains committed to being an active partner in this process. We are not here to point fingers—we are here to build a future where students of all backgrounds see their cultures affirmed and celebrated on the main stage, with the full backing of the institutions that shape them.

To every person who raised their voice: you reminded the world that legacy matters and that Black stories deserve space, care, and celebration. When we show up united, informed, and unapologetic, we can change the conversation.

ring All Sc HSPVA Sp tion Fela! - 2019 ry Produc Black Histo

ho ol

Let’s keep going and protect what we’ve built. Together, we can ensure the next generation inherits more than just memories—they inherit momentum.

HSPVA - 2003 s u n At Colo Production osp el y The G Histor

THE COMMONS

Black

W her e We re Y Black ou in ‘65Histo 1 ry Pro 996 HSPV A ductio n

Photo on opposite page: After Midnight - 2024 HSPVA Spring All School Black History Production. Photo by Ken Knezick

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 11

happenings.

10/25 Tarion Taylor-Anderson (Theatre ‘10) joins the cast of Odessa’s Cajun Cabaret to tell the story of a grandson who inherits his grandmother's juke joint after her death.

The production is written, directed, and presented by Julian Austin in association with Uprise Experience: Houston Black Theatre Week.

Time: 3pm Location: DeLUXE Theatre (Houston, TX) Tickets: 1989dreams.com/odessascabaret

10/27 Every second and fourth Monday of the month, vocalist Gabby Byrd (Vocal ‘11) performs arrangements of soul, r&b , and pop classics with her band, Gabby & The Byrds, at their residency in the heart of Dallas’ live music scene.

Time: 7pm Location: The Free Man (Dallas, TX) Tickets: Free Admission

10/29 Every Wednesday, vocalist Jonquel Holiday (Vocal ‘19) performs with Leaux Fye Tribe at their weekly jam session inside Virgin Hotels New Orleans. Come for the laid-back lounge vibes, stay for the happy hour specials.

Time: 5pm Location: Virgin Hotels (New Orleans, LA) Tickets: Free Admission

HAPPENINGS

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 12

10/31 Rapper Trae Perry (Visual ‘13) will be performing as the headlining artist at Inspire Church’s Hallelujah Night, a Christian hip hop concert. Join them for an evening of music, faith, and community.

Time: 7pm Location: Inspire Church (Houston) Tickets: Free Admission

Location: Blue Note (New York) Tickets: bluenotejazz.com

11/14 Saxophonist Everette Harp (Jazz ‘79), as part of the band Jazz Funk Soul, will be performing jazz, funk, and soul at Keystone Korner Baltimore.

Time: 6pm Location: Keystone Korner (Baltimore, MD) Tickets: keystonekornerbaltimore.com

GOT SOMETHING HAPPENING SOON? Let us know and we'll help spread the word!

Email us at admin@hspvablackalumin.com or send us a DM on Instagram.

HAPPENINGS

happenings.

The seventh annual edition of Robert Glasper’s (Jazz ‘97) “Robtober” residency at Blue Note NYC is happening now and continues through November 2nd! Check out his website or social media to see which special guests he’ll be featuring.

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 13

Impactful Presence

by Gabby Byrd

Top - Standing far right alongside her maternal grandparents, aunts, and 15 first cousins. Bottom - Standing middle, with HSPVA History teacher Mr. Boyce and Assistant Principal Lawrence Anderson to the right. Above - Ms. Bonner’s senior photo (above). Photos courtesy of Ms. Bonner.

Patricia “Pat” Bonner was raised primarily in Houston’s West End (around Washington Avenue and Heights Boulevard) and lived across the street from her maternal grandparents. In addition to her grandfather having only sisters, he and his wife raised eight daughters, all of which had multiple children. As a result, Ms. Bonner grew up alongside several cousins–15 first cousins–that she would see regularly at church, at their grandparents’ house on Sunday afternoons, or at school. Since these were times of segregation, Black students from various neighborhoods and grade levels were forced to attend the same school and ride the city bus there, often passing several other schools and whitesonly school buses in the process.

Still, Ms. Bonner enjoyed going to school with her family and neighborhood friends and deeply admired her teachers. In fact, her early elementary teachers at Harper School are the ones who motivated her to teach. She didn’t know what subject she wanted to teach then, but she knew she was impressed by how much her teachers gave of themselves; they rarely ever missed a day of class. “They were so dedicated and so kind and they seemed to enjoy so much what they were doing,” she says.

Although resources were limited at Black schools, Ms. Bonner remembers that “even in segregated Houston, every single school had a very developed arts program.” At Harper and at Booker T. Washington High School, they had various instruments in the classrooms and occasionally took field trips to the opera and symphony, both inciting her love for classical music. As a member of her schools’ glee clubs, she was exposed to folk tunes and choral music that differed from the kind she sang at church, and she learned how to sight-sing.

conversation.

CONVERSATION

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 14

When Jason Moran was growing up in Houston’s historic Third Ward, music permeated the entire neighborhood. At MacGregor Elementary, the magnet school he and his brothers attended, the Suzuki method of learning piano or violin was a requirement for all students. In the streets, radio dials were set to KTSU 90.9 FM and rehearsals for Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Ocean of Soul marching band could be heard from miles away. When he hung out with his skateboarder friends, hip hop punctuated their movements. Speaking about the way the neighborhood and its aural landscape impact his artistry, Jason says, “It’s everything… it impacts, especially, the way I talk and the way I think about my pride. My Black pride comes specifically from Third Ward.”

He finds pride in the way S.H.A.P.E. Cultural Community Center has always engaged the community and how the Shrine of the Black Madonna “combines politics and spirituality in one place.” He remembers playing tennis with his friends and seeing former professional tennis player, Zina Garrison, on the courts at MacGregor Park. Though he didn’t think much about his surroundings at the time, they represented an expansive view of what was possible and attainable for Black people. “It didn't feel like any kind of idea or any kind of intellectual thought or anything economically was out of bounds,” he says. This attitude resonated in the Moran household as well.

Jason’s mother–whose side of the family is native to Third Ward–was an educator and business owner, and his father was an investment banker from Houston’s Pleasantville area. In an effort to keep Jason and his two brothers busy and off the streets, they kept their sons involved in music lessons, sports, and frequently had family outings to concerts or dance performances. Mr. Moran, who had dreams of becoming a musician himself, possessed a large record collection that included a diverse range of artists from Led Zeppelin and James Brown to Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. At age 13, when Jason heard Monk’s “Round Midnight” playing in his parents’ bedroom, he was attracted to the way it felt “open to possibility.”

Top - Performing at an HSPVA Jazz event. Photo courtesy of Doc Morgan.

Bottom - In his childhood bedroom, wearing a Monk t-shirt, decorated with several Thelonious Monk album covers. Photo courtesy of Moran.

Above - With his parents. Photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle.

CONVERSATION

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 15

Possibility presented itself, too, when state universities happened to desegregate the same year Ms. Bonner became a senior at Booker T. High School. By then, she knew she wanted to teach music and knew staying in Texas for college would be the most affordable option for her family. Though she was accepted into the music programs at TSU, North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), and University of Houston (U of H), she chose the latter because the others would have been too expensive–even after receiving scholarships and student loans. If she hadn’t attended U of H, there’s no telling whether she ever would have taught at HSPVA. Periodically, during her junior year at U of H, her Choral Music Education instructor would invite guest teachers to come speak to the class about their work. This is how Ms. Bonner met Jean Galloway, the woman who would later become HSPVA’s first choir director. A year after they met, when it came time for Ms. Bonner to fulfill her student teaching requirements, she was assigned to Ms. Galloway’s school: Sterling High. After earning her degree and all-levels teaching certificate, she applied to work for Houston Independent School District (HISD) and was placed at Albert Thomas Middle School.

With Jean Galloway, HSPVA’s first Choral Director.

Photo courtesy of Ms. Bonner.

By the end of her fifth year at Thomas, HSPVA had opened and Ms. Galloway had transitioned there from Sterling. In 1973, when enrollment at PVA was extended to grades 10-12, the need for a part-time choir director arose and Ms. Galloway called on Ms. Bonner. Since Ms. Bonner had taken busloads of students from Thomas to see performances at the original PVA campus, she was wellacquainted with the school and the unique environment it fostered. When Ms. Bonner interviewed with HSPVA Founder Ruth Denney, Denney simply said, “Well, Jean wants you to come. Do you want to come?” The rest is herstory.

In the choir room at the HSPVA Stanford campus. Photo courtesy of Ms. Bonner.

For Jason, his relationship to Thelonious Monk’s music is what prompted his journey to PVA. After attending Lamar High School for his freshman year, his parents realized that PVA’s music program would likely be more beneficial for him, so they encouraged him to audition for the school’s Jazz Department Chair, Robert “Doc” Morgan. At the time, Jason had been working through a Monk transcription book, so he decided to play Monk’s ballad called “Ruby, My Dear.” It’s “definitely not something a 10th grader should play,” Jason says, “but I was playing what Thelonious Monk played– literally, it was the transcription.” Doc was very impressed. Years later, in 2016, the DocFest Board of Directors inducted him into the HSPVA Jazz Hall of Fame.

CONVERSATION

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 16

When Jason arrived at PVA as a 10th grader, his peers were the ones who impressed him. ”It wasn't just that they were playing great, it was also that they were cool,” he says. They made him want to practice a lot and ask them questions, especially his older peers who were close to graduating. Bassist Eddie Weiner (‘92) in particular served as “a link to things that were happening in New York,” and heightened Jason’s fixation with the city. Later, when Jason started pursuing his bachelor’s at Manhattan School of Music (MSM), he became that link and–with the help of drummer Eric Harland (‘94)–started building a tribe. “I didn't know how inspired I was by the people at PVA until I left them and then I missed them,” he reflects. As is customary with PVA alumni, he and many of his classmates continue to be frequent collaborators.

In 2010, after being awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, one of the first things he did was organize “713 to 212: Houstonians in NYC,” a two-day festival that celebrated generations of Houston musicians–young and old–who were living and working in New York. Some of them were fellow alumni, and some were older musicians that Doc had previously brought in to give masterclasses–that was one of the main things he valued most about the program under Doc’s leadership. “It's one thing to learn from what's happening at PVA, but it's another thing to learn from a musician who's been all around the world playing the music,” he says. By then creating this opportunity to hear and acknowledge his PVA peers who had also played all around the world and become successful in their own right, he facilitated his own masterclass of sorts.

With pianist Ellis Marsalis in 1992 (above). With pianist McCoy Tyner, surrounded by several of his HSPVA classmates, in 1991 (right). Photos courtesy of Moran.

CONVERSATION

In addition to having Black jazz legends like McCoy Tyner, Barry Harris, and Billy Taylor in the classroom, Jason mentioned how powerful it was to have Mr. Boyce, an HSPVA history teacher, see and affirm him at a time when he was reading and learning about identity. He remembers, “It was just good to have somebody on faculty who would understand what you were discovering and say, ‘Yeah, keep searching for more because some of these things are not going to come up in the class.’” He adds that it was incredible to have Black teachers like Ms. Bonner and Ms. Smith-Williams at the school because they “really had a mark that they expected you to meet” and gave so much energy to their students.

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 17

In 2019, just before Ms. Bonner retired, she made history as one of the few teachers to teach at all three HSPVA campuses. By then, she had taught at PVA for 48 years and had never even considered retirement. “I was blessed with good health, I enjoyed what I was doing, I enjoyed working with the students, and it was just a pleasure to get up and go to the school everyday,” she says. Even in retirement, current PVA students and alumni alike can regularly find her at the Kinder campus or at their performances because she enjoys “seeing the students and seeing young people flourish and go after their dreams.” She especially delights in seeing alumni return to the school to visit with the students.

It’s one of the things she appreciates about BAN. “It has those sessions where alums can come and talk with the students. I think that’s very important,” she says. “They need to hear from somebody who has been there, who has done that, and who looks like them.” Considering our country’s current political climate and how it relates to educational funding, it’s clear that BAN’s mission of supporting the next generation with resources and opportunities is needed now more than ever. Ms. Bonner says, “It just pleases my heart that young people are giving back like BAN is giving back.

Any organization where young people are giving back or trying to help someone pay it forward, that just pleases me to high heaven.”

Top left - Ms. Bonner at an alum’s performance in NYC, alongside several other alumni. Photo courtesy of BAN. Top right - Ms. Bonner being honored at DocFest 2019. Photo by David DeHoyos. Middle - With alumni at a 2022 HSPVA BAN Homecoming event. Photo by J. Michael Photography.

Bottom - Pointing to the Kinder HSPVA recital named after her. Photo courtesy of Ms. Bonner.

CONVERSATION

When thinking about the impact the HSPVA community has had on her life, Ms. Bonner says it has been a blessing, and she has always felt “blessed to be a blessing” to so many others. Similarly, when asked about the kind of legacy she wishes to leave behind, she urges her students and colleagues to “be a blessing for someone else, support someone who needs it, and always present yourselves in such a way that people know you are of good character.”

To put it plainly,

“don’t b e crass and ill-bre d.”

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 18

As the father of two teenage sons, Jason has been mindful of his legacy for quite some time. Of course, as a musician, composer, educator, multidisciplinary artist, curator, artistic director, and archivist, his legacy could be preserved through the work he does under any number of these titles. However, through his administration of the HSPVA Moran Scholarship Award his parents created and through the presence he manages to maintain in the lives of both students and alumni, his legacy will always reflect his dedication to honoring the past and empowering the present into the future. One piece of advice he has for Black PVA students: don’t stop.

Top left - With his twin sons in 2014. Middle left - With several HSPVA alumni from the 90s. Bottom left - In the jazz room at the HSPVA Stanford campus with several students.

Top right - At the piano, with fellow pianist and alum

Glasper (‘97). Middle right - With pianist Paul “ T h e r e wi l l b e a l o t o f h i l l s ” he says, Robert Cornish (‘14), recipient of the 2014 HSPVA Moran Award. Bottom right - With drummer b u t w h e n yo u g e t t o t h e t o p o f i t , Scholarship Kendrick Scott (‘98), celebrating Moran’s birthday at his NYC home earlier this year. Photos courtesy of Moran. yo u h ave a vi ew. ” First, you have to go up.

CONVERSATION

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 19

in.terlude Dedicated to our 2025 Scholarship Benefit Soiree Honorees: Jason Moran and Pat Bonner

scan playlist Ain’t Misbehavin’ - Jason Moran

Come Sunday - Sullivan Fortner

Miuzi Weighs A Ton - Public Enemy

Gentle Shifts South - Jason Moran

The Bridge is Over - Boogie Down Productions

Feeling Good - Alicia Hall Moran

‘Round Midnight - Thelonious Monk

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

Intermezzo, Op. 119, No. 2 - Live - Jason Moran

- Archie Shepp & Jason Moran

A Love Supreme, Pt. I - John Coltrane

Break Down - Jason Moran

Mentor’s Prose - Greg Osby

Crepuscule With Nellie - Jason Moran

Gangsterism On Canvas - Jason Moran

Freedmen’s Town - James Francies

Yojimbo - Jason Moran

Gangsterism on Moranish - Walter Smith III

I’ll Play the Blues For You - Jason Moran

Keep That Same Old Feeling - The Crusaders

I’m a Bluesman - Juke Boy Bonner

On My Block - Scarface

INTERLUDE

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 20

Kaye and Alex Dewalt Kaye and Alex DeWalt are proud parents of three HSPVA graduates: Anderson (Instrumental ’09), Adam (Jazz ’13), and Alexandria (Jazz ’17). They have been a constant source of support throughout their children’s artistic journeys, celebrating every performance and milestone along the way. Kaye serves on the Board of HSPVA Friends and brings nearly four decades of legal experience, including roles as General Counsel for Houston ISD, assistant district attorney, and trial attorney at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, showing her deep commitment to both education and community.

Beyond their family, the DeWalts are strong advocates for arts education, helping ensure future HSPVA students have the resources and encouragement to thrive. Their dedication, leadership, and passion for the arts continue to inspire their children and the entire HSPVA community.

Robert Glasper Robert Glasper is a Grammy-winning pianist, composer, and producer celebrated for his innovative fusion of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop. A 1997 graduate of HSPVA, he further honed his craft at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City.

Glasper's breakthrough came with his “Black Radio” (2012) album which won the Grammy for Best R&B Album and showcased his unique blend of genres. He has since released several acclaimed albums, including Black Radio II and Black Radio III, all under the Blue Note Records label.

In addition to his recording career, Glasper is deeply committed to mentoring young artists and inspiring creativity in others. His journey reflects the curiosity, innovation, and dedication to craft that HSPVA instills in its students. Robert Glasper continues to redefine modern music while uplifting the next generation of artists.

sponsor spotlight Learn more about our

2025 Scholarship benefit soiree sponsors SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 21

call board.

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES VISUAL ARTISTS: REVOLT is looking for Black artists of the diaspora to submit their work that tells stories of culture, heritage, and future-making. Accepted submissions will be featured at REVOLT Art Fair Miami Art Basel happening this December.

Deadline: October 28, 2025 Learn more at revolt.tv/

VISUAL ARTISTS: Applications for Project Row Houses’ Artist Residency Program are open now! Selected artists will receive subsidized studio space in Houston’s Third Ward, support from PRH staff, and access to a community of artists, neighbors and cultural workers.

Deadline: October 28, 2025 Learn more at: projectrowhouses.org

ENTREPRENEURS: The HerRise MicroGrant is currently accepting applications for under-resourced women, women of color, and women entrepreneurs to secure funding for their community-impacting small businesses.

Deadline: October 31, 2025 Learn more at: hersuitespot.com/herrise

MUSICIANS: For the last 45 years, the Ottawa Jazz Festival has existed to advance the appreciation and knowledge of jazz by “programming music that richly underscores the continuing creativity and diversity of the artists and the music itself.” Apply now to perform at the festival happening next June.

Deadline: November 1, 2025 Learn more at: ottawajazzfestival.com

CALL BOARD

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 22

call board.

FILMMAKERS: Submit your film for inclusion in the 30th annual American Black Film Festival happening in Miami Beach next May. Early Deadline: November 7, 2025 Learn more at: abff.com/miami/submissions

COLLEGE UNDERGRADS: The Quinn Coleman Scholarship honors the vibrant legacy of Quinn Coleman by supporting college students who are shaping the future of music through innovation, storytelling, and impact.

Deadline: November 14, 2025 Learn more at: grammymuseum.org/education

DANCERS: Take advantage of HTX Connect’s 2025 Winter Intensive for ages 8+ intermediate/advanced level dancers! Morgan Manning (Dance ‘21) will serve as one of the guest instructors.

Dates: December 20-21, 2025 Location: The PAC (Cypress, TX) Learn more and register at: htxconnect713.com

WRITERS: Aroko is in search of fiction that breathes new life into folklore from Africa and the African Diaspora and draws from folktales, myths, fables, legends, and folkloric figures—whether reimagined, adapted, or wholly invented.

Deadline: December 31, 2025 Learn more at: aroko.world

CALL BOARD

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 23

class notes.

a.cknowledgements Blair Ledet (Vocal ‘10) Honored by The Black Girls Golden Ticket Committee for her excellence in journalism and positive impact for the city of St. Louis (top).

straight A's

Chelsey Cartwright (Instrumental '08) Received Emerson College’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award (right).

Brandon Willis (Vocal ‘12) Debuted his first full-length original musical, Toothrina Von Twinkle, at The Wortham Theater (left).

Elle Lorraine (Theatre ‘03) As part of the How to Die Alone cast, she won Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series at Film Independent’s 2025 Spirit Awards (far right).

Marissa Lee (Dance ‘14) Performed at the 2025 Grammy Awards alongside Shakira (far left).

Cami Moses (Vocal ‘20) Chosen as a semi-finalist in the 2025 Opera Ebony Competition (left).

Robert Glasper (Jazz ‘97) His film scoring work on Luther: Never Too Much received the 2025 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary Film (center).

Tarion Anderson (Theatre ‘10)

Autumn Knight (Theatre ‘98)

Opened for Jacquees’ recent show at Warehouse Live in Houston (right).

Gave an experimental performance as part of “Eldorado Ballroom Houston,” a series curated by Saint Heron (above).

Justin Simien (Theatre ‘01)

MAJOR. (Vocal ‘02)

Bassist chosen as a 2026 DACAMERA Young Artist (middle, bottom).

ue rk Bl Yo e ni

s r Davi ma a T

CLASS NOTES

Dale ton

special congratulations

Brand on

Last year, Stephanie York Blue (Instrumental ‘81) and Ashley Tamar Davis (Vocal ‘98) were inducted into the HSPVA Jazz Hall of Fame. On November 8th, at this year’s DocFest, brothers Daleton Lee (Jazz ‘99) & Brandon Lee (Jazz ‘01) will join them.

e Le

As hle y

Marwan Ghonima (Jazz ‘21)

e Le

Ste ph a

Inducted into Berklee College of Music’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame (left).

For Hollywood Black, he received two 2025 Emmy nominations for Best Documentary and Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary (center).

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 24

a.lbums

class notes.

and other music news (cont.)

Peyton Booker (Vocal ‘15) Performed at the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia and recently released her latest album, Au, via Stones Throw Records (top).

Malcolm Jackson (Instrumental ‘10) Released a new albums entitled Interchange and A Striking Brilliance. Listen now on Bandcamp (right).

Olly Sholotan (Theatre ‘15) Check out his duet with PENG PENG called “I Like It” (left).

Reggie Quinerly (Jazz ‘99) Recently released his second EP, The Connoisseur Series Vol. 2. The album celebrates the music of composer Harold Battiste Jr. (center).

Robert Glasper (Jazz ‘97) His latest album, Keys to the City Vol. 1, is streaming everywhere now (bottom right).

Samantha Williams (Theatre ‘15) Hear her performance of Mabel in the original Broadway revival cast album of Pirates! The Penzance Musical, streaming everywhere now. You can also catch WIlliams playing the role of Anna in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Frozen from Nov. 26 - Jan. 11 (bottom left).

A.MADVYLXN aka Aaron Malone (Visual ‘11) Download his new single, “Play” ft. KingSoulja, on EVEN (bottom).

a.ppearances DeQuina Moore (Theatre '98)

Playing the role of Sweet Sue in the North American tour of Broadway’s “Some Like It Hot” until April 2026 (top).

Randy “WROSIV” Palmer (Visual ‘10) Stars in a short silent film called Foolish of Me. He was also named Artistic Director of Mobile Art Space Artists (far left).

Lovie Olivia (Visual ‘98) Her exhibition “SPACE SCAPE” is on view at Tinney Contemporary in Nashville, TN now until November 15 (center).

Grantham Coleman (Theatre ‘08) Playing the role of Henry Bolingbroke in Red Bull Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s Richard II from Oct. 28-Nov. 30 at Off-Broadway's Astor Place Theatre (left).

Anthony Suber (Visual ‘98)

Know an alum whose name should be listed here in the next issue?

Email us at hspvablackalumninetwork@gmail.com or send us a direct message on Facebook or Instagram

CLASS NOTES

Curated “MEDITATE MEDITATE MEDITATE: The Pause Between Waves,” a two-person exhibition featuring works by Chap Edmonson and Mark Francis. On view at Sanman Studios in Houston until October 25th (left).

Robert Hodge (Visual ‘98) His exhibition “Collect It For the Culture” is on view at Studio Eight08 in Houston until December 2025 (right).

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 25

kimberly ‘ hebert gregory 1972 - 2025 The HSPVA Black Alumni Network honors Kimberly Hébert Gregory (Theatre ’90)—a Houston native, dynamic artist, and advocate whose brilliance illuminated every stage she touched. Even as a student, Kimberly’s creative voice was unmistakable. As an HSPVA senior, she wrote and directed the school’s Black History Show and, the following year, penned and directed To Build a Nation (1991). Both productions IN LOVING MEMORY OF celebrated Black resilience and creativity, themes that would define her life’s work.

FRANCISCO ANDRADE

After HSPVA, Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Her artistry and empathy merged beautifully in her founding of The Black Rebirth Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black artists and fostering community through performance, mentorship, and shared cultural expression.

National audiences came to know Kimberly through her acclaimed work on stage and screen—most notably as Dr. Belinda Brown in HBO’s Vice Principals. Her voice, intellect, and humor made her a beloved presence 5 MARCH, 1950 - 15 JULY, 2024 across projects like Better Call Saul, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Craig of the Creek.

As fellow alum Christian Warner (Dance ’12) beautifully shared, “To know Kimberly is to have known love and joy personified—meeting her in our work as a young child on the road was a consistent opportunity to watch a master at work in her craft, a lesson in how to hold and care for community, and a reminder of the Black brilliance signature to Houston and HSPVA.” 2 2 J Uartist L Y , she 2 0 2inspired, 4, 10:0 0 AM Her legacy lives on in that brilliance—in every every story she helped tell, and every RIMBERIO COMMUNITY CHURCH community she built.

123 ANYWHERE ST., ANY CITY, ST 12345

in memoriam.

IN MEMORIAM

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 26

who we are.

The purpose of the HSPVA Black Alumni Network is to connect Black alumni of The High School for Performing and Visual Arts, support alumni and current students’ endeavors, and provide resources, scholarships, and networking opportunities to champion the next generation of HSPVA artists and professionals.

2025-26 executive board

DENISE WARD

CAPRA FELLOWS

GABBY BYRD

KIERRA MARTIN

MALCOLM JACKSON

President Vocal '12

Vice-President Theatre '11

Secretary Vocal '11

Treasurer Dance '13

Parliamentarian Instrumental '10

JORDAN WOODS

STEPHEN HUDSON

TAYLAR LEWIS Scholarship Chair Theatre '11

WHO WE ARE

DJ CARR

YALC Chair Vocal '18

Communications Chair Dance '13

Engagement Co-Chair Vocal '03

EDWARD BELL Engagement Co-Chair Vocal '10

HSPVA Black Alumni Network | 27