Annual Support & Celebration of BIPOC-Led Organizations
Vision:8291 is designed to center visionary BIPOC leaders globally, raise awareness locally, and fuel grassroots organizations in Austin.
VISION:8291
In partnership with SXSW, VISION:8291 focuses on centering and elevating the work of visionary BIPOC artists and leaders with the intention of annually raising funds to directly support the work of Austin-based BIPOC-led grassroots organizations.
March 14
916 springdale road
‘THE MUSIC BLUEPRINT’
DAY ONE
Chinasa broxton, Nathalie phan, JOSEPH LOPEZ, PAPSTAR
SYNCING MUSIC FOR TV/FILM
The steps and must-haves for successful placement on TV and Film.
One-half of the duo Tribe Mafia, Chinasa Broxton, has music featured on VH1, Paramount+, The CW, Netflix, Riot Games, BLK Network via AMC, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, ABC, and Hulu.
Nathalie Phan is the Licensing Agent and Founder at SoundSync Music.
Papstar is a music producer, sync licensing professional, Certified Life Coach, and Certified NLP Practitioner based in Mobile, Alabama.
Emmy and Telly Award–winning music producer, songwriter, audio engineer, and recording artist, Joseph Lopez is based in the greater Atlanta area.
1:00-2:15 PM
ZEALE
2:15-3:15 PM
THE CREATIVE JOURNEY
The balancing act of content, releases, and moving into new spaces with artistic vision.
Often compared to Childish Gambino and Rage Against the Machine, Zeale’s career includes touring with bands like Imagine Dragons and collaborating with Del The Funky Homosapien.
JACKIE VENSON
3:30-4:30 PM
TOUR REALITIES in 2026
A conversation on the costs and benefits of managing and booking a tour independently.
Heralded as one of Austin’s rising stars by Rolling Stone and an Austin legend in the making by Forbes, Jackie Venson has established herself as one of the most commanding performers to come out of Texas.
KYDD JONES
Hip hop music and fashion as twin expressions of identity, resistance, and innovation.
Kydd Jones is an acclaimed Austin, Texas-based rapper, producer, and fashion designer.
5:15-6:15 PM
THE INTERSECTIONS OF FASHION AND MUSIC
MAURICIO RUIZ
Deep dive conversation exploring industry insights.
Mauricio Ruiz is the visionary founder of The Manager’s Playbook, a newsletter and podcast dedicated to sharing deep industry insights, expert advice, and candid conversations with top music professionals.
7:00-8:30 PM
THE MANAGER’s PLAYBOOK PODCAST
DJ DMONEY, COYO + SPECIAL GUESTS
OFFICIAL AIR MAX RELEASE AFTERPARTY
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
TO THE MAX
March 15
DAY TWO
‘THE Culture catalyst’
ELISA CUELLAR and CATHERINE NISSLEY
How corporations can authentically commit to a non-profits vision, and help it grow.
Talent Experience and Culture leader at Favor, Elisa Cuellar, focuses on enabling people within the three-sided marketplace through performance, engagement, culture, retention, and development.
Leader of Communications and Community Involvement at Favor Delivery, Catherine Nissley, focuses on bringing brand and community together to create meaningful impact to the communities Favor serves.
1:00-2:00 PM
The Power of Engaged Local Partnerships
Angel from the bloc and Celine rendon
The Pros and Cons of using social media to galvanize community for action.
Angel From the Bloc makes use of their platforms with 378,000 followers to spark conversations concerning diverse struggles including mental health, abolition, wellness, and class consciousness.
Celine Rendon is a climate adaptation and community engagement practitioner and organizer with Community Powered ATX. Her work centers community-led housing justice, narrative power, and equitable climate resilience across Texas and the U.S. South.
2:45-3:45 PM
Social Media as Organizing Tool
Building the black school house
The essential work of cultural organizing to grow space for Black futures.
The Black School is an experimental art school teaching Black and POC students and allies to become agents of change, founded by Joseph Cuillier III and Shani Peters in 2016.
4:00-5:00 PM
Shani peters and joseph cuillier III
jamiah hargins
Thinking outside of the lot and farm, growing food for underserved communities in unconventional ways.
Jamiah Hargins is the founder and Executive Director of Crop Swap LA, an award-winning organization that transforms lawns into rainwater powered microfarms delivering fresh produce to local families.
5:15-6:15 PM
Space to Grow
richie reseda
Screening of Netflix documentary and post-film discussion on healing.
Richie Reseda practices transformative justice in his relationships and daily life. He is a formerly-incarcerated music and film producer, content creator, organizer, and creative director.
6:30-9:00 PM
Songs From the Hole
Uncle roy and spice (US) and special guests
Celebrating the Voice in a special intimate and acoustic listening environment.
Originally from Washington D.C., this Austin-based duo is celebrated for their vocal harmonies and storytelling.
SPECIAL GUESTS TBA
10:00 PM-12:00 AM
SING your light
March 16
DAY THREE
‘THE future is ALWAYs now’
roland creator collective jam session
Roland is selecting several artists to perform one song live with our house band at the SXSW Roland Creator Collective Jam Session.
11:00 AM-2:45 PM
VIBE out and JAM
larry morris
Lessons from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation on growing an arts district in St. Louis.
Larry “Fallout” Morris directs Programs & Partnerships at the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, steering artist residencies, city collaborations, and the flagship Music at the Intersection festival.
3:00-4:00 PM
City as Partner
shawna ‘peezy’ spears
The art of rolling out music in 2026.
Shawna Spears (often referred to as Shawna “Peezy” Spears) is a prominent senior marketing executive and cultural strategist known for her work in the music and creative technology industries.
4:00-5:00 PM
Art of the Rollout
jaeson ma
direct to fan with open wav
How to grow community online and deliver product direct to fan.
Jaeson Ma is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and investor deeply involved in the entertainment, media, and technology sectors.
5:15-6:30 PM
CHaka Mahone
community is our greatest technology
6:30-7:00 PM
The philosophy and spirit that built DAWA, and its vision for the future.
DAWA Founder, Chaka Mahone, believes in centering arts and culture as an essential tool for community building, mutual aid, healing, conversation, impact, advocacy, and resilience for 20+ years.
troy carter and dan runcie
7:00-8:30 PM
AI, Algorithms, and Authenticity
How to navigate rapid technological change and remain authentic as an artist.
Join Troy Carter, CEO and co-founder of Venice Music, and Dan Runcie, founder of Trapital, for a conversation on the future of music. They will discuss the impact of companies like Suno, Udio, ElevenLabs, and their role in the New Music Economy. They will also break down how AI will create new roles and quickly eliminate most roles in the music business. This is a can’t miss conversation on where the industry is heading.
March 17
DAY FOUR
UNITY SHOWCASE
RIVIERE
7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
1501 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702
CURE FOR PARANOIA
Founded by frontman Cameron McCloud following his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, the group uses "Trippy Soul infused hip-hop" as a form of therapy
12:15 AM
DALLAS, TX
A contemporary R&B, funk, and hip-hop artist from Newark, New Jersey
11:30 PM
JERSEY J
AUSTIN, TX
SHANAY morant
Hailing from New York City, Shanay Morant is a multi-talented RnB/Neo-Soul artist.
NEW YORK, NY
10:50 AM
Known for her ethereal harmonies and angelic vocals, she blends genres like pop, R&B, jazz, and folk. DAMOYEE has won awards from the Dallas Observer, Central Track, and Monterey Jazz Festival
10:00 PM
DAMOYEE
DALLAS, TX
NICOTINE
Nicotine is a passionate artist whose music journey is deeply intertwined with personal growth, self-discovery, and spiritual exploration. Fusing elements of alternative hip-hop, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, and funk, she creates a sound that is uniquely her own.
9:10 PM
AUSTIN, TX
Vintage Jay
Vintage Jay is a prominent Austin-based hip hop artist, and community advocate known for blending street narratives with social consciousness.
8:20 PM
AUSTIN, TX
THE SMOOTH NATURE
A new age R&B group mixing all the sounds of soul, rock, blues, and funk to give a new feel to the umbrella of R&B. Our goal is to use music to spread healing, love, and remind people that learning to love and forgive is the only way forward.
AUSTIN, TX
7:30 PM
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