Grammy Nominated and Jalc Millennium Swing Award recipient, Elio Villafranca is a Cuban born Composer and Jazz Pianist extraordinaire. His latest album, Standing at the Crossroads, explores the different religions intertwined within the cultural fabric of his country. His concert, Letters to Mother Africa, was selected by NYC Jazz Record as Best Concert in 2016.

Screening of documentary “Ayiti Pap Peri: Ayiti Will Not Perish.” A spotlight on Haitian expatriates returning to work on behalf of their country. Panelists include the documentary’s director and journalist Cassandre Thrasybule, Haitian American author Patrick Sylvain, Afro Cuban artist and actress Lili Bernard, and documentarist Aida Esther Bueno Sarduy. Followed by a Q&A.

Presentations by Haitian American poet Patrick Sylvain, Afro-Cuban filmmaker Aida Esther Bueno Sarduy, and Egyptian Palestinian American author, filmmaker, and actor Randa Jarrar. Followed by a Q&A.

Screening of documentary “Standing Above the Clouds.” Through the lens of mothers and daughters in three Native Hawaiian families, the film explores intergenerational healing and the impacts of safeguarding cultural sites. Panelists include Hawaiian tradition bearer Pua Case, Alaskan playwright Marleah Makpiaq LaBelle, and Grand Canyon Havasupai Carletta Tilousi. Moderated by filmmaker and producer Amber Espinosa. Followed by a Q&A.

Screening of this year's Oscar winner for Best Documentary, “No Other Land,” made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four directors. Over the course of five years, Basel Adra films his Palestinian community of Massager Yatta being destroyed and its populace incarcerated, all as he builds an alliance with an Israeli journalist. Panelists include author Saeed Teebi, Nicole D. Porter, Senior Director of Advocacy at The Sentencing Project, and Brandi Kellam, a Gracie and Emmy awarded Journalist. Moderated by Doaa Omran. Followed by a Q&A.

Riva Nyri Précil is widely known throughout Haïti and its diaspora for her unique fusion of Haïtian music with African roots, American R&B, Soul, and Jazz. Her 2015 debut album, "Perle De Culture" is a sonic melding of traditional Haitian instrumentals and jazz. Her 2025 album, "Enkantasyon" serves as a prayer to the loa/spirits—an invocation that echoes through the deep pulse of drumbeats, layered with trance-like synths and hypnotic melodies. Each track is an introspective exploration of freedom, identity, and spiritual connection.

In a dynamic collaboration, Riva Nyri Précil will be joined by Racine Kreyol and Friends—an ensemble that promotes Afro-Haitian Roots music in the Land of Enchantment. Members include Haitian-Americans Duke Germain, Adolphe Pierre-Louis and Jacob Decimus. Also featured are Karl Taylor on Bass, Santana Kujawa on lead guitar, Wayne Johnson on drums, and Todd Lowery on keyboards.