The NEXT Movement

Five incredible Atlanta artists and a who’s who of leading art activists reflect on a global pandemic, a racial reckoning and an answer to the question:
“what do we do…NEXT?”

01 Okorie "OK Cello" Johnson

Atlanta’s own Okorie “OkCello” Johnson is a nationally-renowned cellist-songwriter whose artistry integrates live-sound-looping, improvision, and storytelling.
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02 Melissa A. Mitchell

A self-taught artist, author and founder of Abeille Creations, Melissa Mitchell has created more than 500 original artworks and 40 large-scale murals for brands from Nike to Spanx – with her trademark use of vibrant colors, unique shapes and bold dark lines.
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03 CC Sunchild

CC Sunchild is a composer, pianist, vocalist, and producer who has performed besides such greats as Patti LaBelle, Bobby McFerrin and India.Arie making “happy music infused with love and sunshine.”
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04 Carlos Andrés Gómez

Carlos Andres Gomez is an award-winning poet, speaker, actor, and author. He has opened for John Legend, appeared on Def Poetry Jam and VH1s Verses and Flow and was recently named 2021 Georgia Writer of the Year.
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05 Jon Goode

Host of the Moth storytelling program, worldwide, Atlanta-based Jon Goode is an Emmy-award winning poet, author and playwright whose work both entertains and uplifts.
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Photos by: Steve West

our art champions

Egbert Perry

Egbert Perry is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of The Integral Group LLC, and a longstanding patron of Atlanta’s creative community.

Lauren Tate-Baeza

Lauren Tate Baeza, the Fred and Rita Richman Curator of African Art at the High Museum, is an Atlanta native, a curator and Africanist who consistently works at the intersection of art and social justice.

Tracy Murrell

Tracy Murrell is a leading Atlanta visual artist and curator who was recently recognized as Atlanta Magazine’s Rising Star curator for her work addressing racial injustice and inequality.

Charly Palmer

A fine artist, muralist, and illustrator of children’s books, Charly Palmer is a world-renowned fine artist whose paintings and mixed media works explore themes of Black identity and liberation.

Stephanie Owens

Stephanie Owens is responsible for the envisioning, cultivating and overseeing the production of the National Black Arts (NBAF) multi-faceted programs to educate and entertain audiences around art and artists of African descent.

Join the Movement

Are you an artist or art activist interested in being a part of The NEXT Movement? Join the movement here.

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