Panel Discussion: A Dialogue on Being

Le'Andra LeSeur organizes A Dialogue On Being, a panel discussion with Jessica Moss and Alexandra Jane about critical perspectives on Black art and cultivating space for the well-being of Black artists.

Tulsa Artist Fellow creates powerful works across film, photography, and painting, celebrating Blackness, queerness, and femininity. Her art seeks to dismantle power structures and explore themes of identity, grief, family, and invisibility. Hailing from the Bronx, Le’Andra’s work has been showcased at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Shed, and more. Her piece ‘Maybe rainbows do exist at night’ (2019) is part of the Whitney Museum of Art’s collection. During her fellowship, Le’Andra debuted "That body of (a reflection of the sky)" at Swivel Gallery in February. Her latest body of work, Monument Eternal, opens at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, New York, exploring the body’s response to sonic rhythms and monuments of violence in examining their impact on the Black psyche.

Jessica Gaynelle Moss is an artist, curator, and advocate for Black art, dedicated to creating platforms that invest in and uplift Black artists. Her interdisciplinary practice merges fine art with real estate development, institution-building, and philanthropy, fostering more equitable and just policies in the arts. As the founding director of The Roll Up CLT artist residency and manager of Alisha B. Wormsley's Sibyls Shrine project, Jessica’s work extends into consulting for organizations like The Joan Mitchell Center and The National Museum of African American History and Culture. She holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon, SAIC, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Alexandra Jane is a curator, writer, and social media strategist. With roots across North Carolina, she is dedicated to the advancement of arts and culture throughout the state. While Alexandra was an undergraduate student studying public relations at North Carolina A&T State University, she first discovered her interest in identity and access. Now, as a practitioner, her work is dedicated to creating ethical opportunities for women artists, queer artists, Black artists, and artists of color.

11:00 AM - 11:20 AM

Build In Tulsa doors open. Brunch menu by Prism Cafe.

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM (RSVP required)

A Dialogue On Being

Le'Andra LeSeur will host a panel discussion with Jessica Moss and Alexandra Jane about critical perspectives on Black art and cultivating space for the well-being of Black artists.

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM

Connection & food continues.

12:20-1:00 PM (RSVP required)

Coffee Ceremony & Reflection with Eyakem Gulilat

Join artist Eyakem Gulilat for an Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a tradition of sharing stories, wisdom, and community over coffee from Asikana.

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM

Connection & food continues.

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM (RSVP required)

The Racial Reckoning in Art and Performance

Yale University scholar and Park Avenue Armory Curator of Public Programming Tavia Nyong’o will discuss the racial reckoning in theater, dance, and performance. Tulsa Artist Fellowship alum, Artist, and Queen Rose Art House founder Kalup Linzy will moderate the Q&A.

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Conversations conclude.

About Tulsa Artist Fellowship

With the belief that arts are critical to the advancement of cultural citizenship, Tulsa Artist Fellowship supports artists and arts workers in the heart of Oklahoma’s Green Country. Socially invested artistic practitioners live and work here, intentionally engaging with our city. Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) cultural initiative.

About Build In Tulsa

The mission of Build in Tulsa is to close the wealth gap in America by catalyzing the creation of multi-generational wealth through tech and entrepreneurship. Rooted in the legacy of Black Wall Street, Build in Tulsa is committed to providing opportunities for entrepreneurs who have historically been denied resources and funding.

Visitor Experience

The north entrance to Build In Tulsa is located at 124 Reconciliation Way, between MLK Jr. Blvd and Boston Ave in the Arts District. For wheelchair accessibility, please use the south entrance, which can be accessed through the Build In Tulsa parking lot at the SW corner of Archer Street and MLK Jr. Blvd. If you have any questions about accessibility, need to request accommodations, or want to share feedback, please email [email protected] or call (539) 302-4855.

Tulsa Artist Fellowship is a cultural initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Open House programs are made possible, in part, by The Bush Hughes Foundation for Progress. Special thanks to the dedicated staff, visionary awardees, artistic contributors, cultural partners, media platforms, presenters, culinary experts, and champions for supporting this ambitious weekend.

Host or Publisher Tulsa Artist Fellowship