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Power to the Pen
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Friday, July 17
 

10:00am PDT

Silent Expression & The Story of Sound
Friday July 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
The body speaks its own language that is all at once ancestral, intuitive and somatic. In this session, join Jamillah and Sarah as we create a container using sound and silence, that invites us to build a sacred ritual into our lifestyle in natural ways. By being in constant communication with our bodies, we will deepen our relationship with ourselves, the collective consciousness, and the creative mind.




Artists
avatar for Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver is the visionary Founder, CEO, and Chief Consultant of BreakBox Thought Collective, an innovative hub where art, culture, and healing intersect to reimagine community well-being. A social entrepreneur, program designer, cultural strategist, and thought leader... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for Sarah Deavitt

Sarah Deavitt

Sarah Deavitt is the founder of The Soulful Suite, a values-driven ecosystem based in Fresno, California, where holistic nutrition, aligned business mentorship, creative coaching, and intentional design come together under one roof. Her work is built on a whole-person, whole-business... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Quiet Hours, Movement Studio

11:30am PDT

The Daily Break w/ Miz
Friday July 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
A  lo-fi 30-minute stretch class that focuses on strengthening the body and maintaining flexibility. Slow, Smooth, & Healing 
Exhibitors
avatar for MizUnique Slater

MizUnique Slater

Originally hailing from New Orleans, she uncovered her love for dance within the city's rich cultural tapestry. In 2005, she made the move to California, where she honed her skills in a variety of styles, such as jazz, ballet, tap, and hip hop. Her shift from classroom learning to... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Quiet Hours, Movement Studio

12:00pm PDT

The Narrative x WRITEGOOD
Friday July 17, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
The Narrative is a creative storytelling collective dedicated to advancing Black liberation, multicultural storytelling, and the transformative power of authentic narratives. Operating under Break Box Thought Collective and supported by Break Box Thought Studios, The Narrative creates opportunities for filmmakers, writers, artists, and cultural storytellers to develop their craft, share their experiences, and build meaningful connections through creative collaboration.

We believe stories have the power to challenge assumptions, preserve history, inspire change, and strengthen communities. Through workshops, screenings, discussions, mentorship, and creative projects, The Narrative provides a space where emerging and established creators can explore stories rooted in identity, culture, resilience, joy, and collective imagination.

While grounded in the traditions and ongoing pursuit of Black liberation, The Narrative welcomes diverse voices and perspectives from across multicultural communities. We are committed to fostering an environment where underrepresented stories are valued, creative risks are encouraged, and artists are empowered to tell stories that reflect the complexity, beauty, and humanity of the communities they represent.

Alongside fellow initiative Write Good, The Narrative serves as a home for creators who believe storytelling is more than entertainment—it is a tool for education, cultural preservation, community building, and envisioning a more just and connected future.
  • The Vibe: This is where we find our people, get confident in our writing and really trust ourselves as  writers. Our work, our voice, and our vision will be honored and held sacred.
  • What's in it for you? You'll get sharp readers, gentle pushes to hit your writing goals, dope activities to refine your creative process, constructive feedback, support, editing, and real talk on how to land an agent, editor, or publisher.
  • How we get down: We'll be "body doubling" (writing together), holding strategy sessions, leveling up our craft, and having honest conversations about the reality of being a working writer today.
  • The Crew: Brought to you by The Liberation Lab and Ashe Magazine, plus some special guests dropping gems throughout the series.



Speakers
avatar for Aaron Frisby

Aaron Frisby

Aaron Frisby is a filmmaker, director of photography, writer, and commercial director based in California. At 33 years old, he has spent the last eight years crafting visually compelling stories that bridge the worlds of narrative filmmaking and branded content.

Driven by a passion for authentic Black storytelling, Aaron’s work explores identity, family, resilience, community, and the often-overlooked experiences of Black Americans. His films seek to create space for nuanced characters and conversations while challenging audiences to engage... Read More →
avatar for Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver is the visionary Founder, CEO, and Chief Consultant of BreakBox Thought Collective, an innovative hub where art, culture, and healing intersect to reimagine community well being. A social entrepreneur, program designer, cultural strategist, and thought leader... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for Varselles “Var” Cummings

Varselles “Var” Cummings

Varselles L. Cummings is a Black queer leader, storyteller, and cultural architect committed to building spaces of belonging in Fresno and beyond. As Senior Director of the Student Success and Belonging Center at Fresno State, he advances student success through culturally grounded... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721

12:00pm PDT

Conversations with Kids
Friday July 17, 2026 12:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
While the cameras roll, capturing organic conversation with the youth.
Tay Mah Jasi will have fun interactive conversations for the kids and get their opinions & insights on how adults can serve them!
Children lead the offering and the intention is to explore what education and learning looks like outside the traditional education system
Artists
TM
Friday July 17, 2026 12:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721

12:30pm PDT

Libera(Ted) Talk with Zen'ayah
Friday July 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
"Your negativity can be a death sentence." It sounds extreme, but in the world of adolescent development, a community's words act as a blueprint for a child's future. In this thought-provoking talk, Zen'Ayah Finley challenges us to look closely at the language we use toward our youth. Using a mix of psychological research, cinema, and lived experience, she maps the precise moment a child transitions from seeking safety to accepting a fatalistic future.
Speakers
avatar for Zen’Ayah Finley

Zen’Ayah Finley

An emerging voice at the intersection of developmental psychology, media, and community advocacy, Zen’Ayah Finley is an undergraduate scholar dedicated to transforming how we protect and perceive Black youth. As the leader of Black youth-led initiatives like Ashé Magazine and The... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721

1:00pm PDT

When We See Us: The Power of Representation & Black Storytelling
Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
When We See Us: The Power of Representation & Black Storytelling invites you to an exploration of the complexities of Black film and representation, examining how Black stars and Black cinema shape culture both positively and negatively.

Through soundtracks, visuals, iconic storylines, and public influence our curators question the responsibilities of actors within the entertainment industry and highlight the role of independent and diasporic filmmakers in creating avenues to control narratives and portray African American and the Diaspora lived experiences. All while noting that Black stars increasingly put themselves in positions to produce Black cinema and urging that to see more positive representation, creators must make their own films, while also prompting a discussion about how to define “Black cinema” versus “Black star power.”

Exhibitors
avatar for Hope Garcia

Hope Garcia

Hope Garcia is a professional musician and the lead vocalist of The Box Band in California’s Central Valley. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she draws deep inspiration from her Louisianan and Native American roots. A full-time artist, disruptor, and community activist, Hope also... Read More →
avatar for Yusuf Oliver

Yusuf Oliver

With a voice full of spirit and a magnetic presence, Yusuf Ibn Hasan Oliver channels his New Orleans ancestry and family stories into performances that are part confession, part celebration. A percussionist, bassist, DJ, and member of his wife Jamillah’s band, Tribal Behavior, Yusuf... Read More →
avatar for Joshua Slack

Joshua Slack

Joshua Slack is an actor, writer, photographer and director and is the Cultural Organizer for Pan Valley Institute. He serves as a vessel to bring life to his community by telling stories and depicting images of those from marginalized backgrounds at the forefront. He has studied... Read More →
avatar for Jamiela Williams

Jamiela Williams

Jamiela Williams has worked on a number of shows from community to professional theatre. She is a graduate of CSU Fullerton with a BA in Theatre Arts (emphasis in Stage Management) and a minor in African American Studies.



Friday July 17, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721

1:45pm PDT

What Are Children Trying to Teach us
Friday July 17, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
This session invites youth, caregivers, educators, and community members into an intergenerational conversation about learning, childhood, imagination, and community.
Inspired by Raising Free People and the work of the Kids Think Inc. Community of Practice, the session explores a simple but powerful question:
What are children trying to teach us?
Rather than centering one educational model or prescribing a single path forward, the session creates space for participants to reflect on how children learn, how adults learn, and how families, schools, and communities can become stronger partners in the learning journey.
Special attention will be given to:
  • Black childhood
  • Different ways of learning
  • Neurodivergence
  • Giftedness
  • Creativity and play
  • Educational choice
  • Cultivating the Black imagination
Participants will leave with:
  • Reflection questions
  • Practical conversation tools
  • Community-generated resources
  • Opportunities for continued connection and learning

Exhibitors
avatar for Varselles “Var” Cummings

Varselles “Var” Cummings

Varselles L. Cummings is a Black queer leader, storyteller, and cultural architect committed to building spaces of belonging in Fresno and beyond. As Senior Director of the Student Success and Belonging Center at Fresno State, he advances student success through culturally grounded... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721

2:00pm PDT

DJ Dawghouse & DJ Bass Pro listening session
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
You’re warmly invited to come and enjoy an evening of mentorship and live jamming featuring DJ Dawghouse (mentor) and DJ Bass Pro (mentee).

This is a relaxed, interactive session where experienced guidance meets hands-on practice, a great opportunity to listen in on a spontaneous back‑and‑forth jam as mentor and mentee trade ideas and mixes.

Expect a mix of demonstration, constructive feedback, and collaborative mixing: DJ Dawghouse will share insights from years behind the decks while DJ Bass Pro applies those lessons in a live setting. 
Artists
avatar for DJ Dawg House

DJ Dawg House

Troy Hines, known in the music scene as DJ Dawg House, embarked on his journey to becoming a full-time DJ during his college years. Inspired by the unifying power of music, as demonstrated by DJ Major League, Troy's path took a turn after an injury ended his basketball career. While... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Happy Hour

2:00pm PDT

Libations + Creative Café
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Libations: Social Aid & Pleasure Club
Libations Lounge is an herbal apothecary and day lounge offering natural remedies, hands- on workshops, and high - quality food for a holistic wellness experience.

Poet, lover, & friend, NeFesha and Founder, CEO, and Chief Consultant Lila are bringing an immersive arts experience during Happy Hour.

Artists
avatar for Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver

Jamillah Hasan Oliver is the visionary Founder, CEO, and Chief Consultant of BreakBox Thought Collective, an innovative hub where art, culture, and healing intersect to reimagine community well-being. A social entrepreneur, program designer, cultural strategist, and thought leader... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for NeFesha Yisra'el

NeFesha Yisra'el

I am a poet, lover, & friend
Feel like I been around this world and back again
Around this time of the year, I return from whence I came
I am an artist and cultural enthusiast
Lover of my people, lover of all people
Dedicated to spreading light & love
To do good is my life’s purpose
A... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Libations: Social Aid & Pleasure Club 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno CA 93721
  Happy Hour

2:00pm PDT

Play Unstructured + Structured w/ Nwachukwu
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective

Artists
NO

Nwachukwu Oputa

Diaspora Dreams Arts Collective is a Fresno-based performance collective with a purpose to “do Black shows & do shows Black.” We collaborate with local arts and cultural organizations to bring more Black youth, adults, and elders into the theatre community as performers, designers... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Happy Hour

2:30pm PDT

Line Dancing
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
Roots in Motion: Black History and Cultural Dance

Come take a journey into the rich history of Black Social Dance and share the connection to modern dances, with an emphasis on Soul Line Dancing.  We are the custodians of our stories and we keep them alive on the dance floor.  Learn something new and experience JOY on the dance floor with instructor Kelley Nayo-Jahi.

Artists
KN

Kelley Nayo Jahi

Kelley Nayo-Jahi is the founder of Nayo Movement.  Founded in 2025, she creates community experiences to connect folks to the joy and ancestral healing of soul line dancing. 
Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Happy Hour

3:00pm PDT

African Dance
Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective
Join Tara Dixion's African dance, a joyful, vibrant celebration of rhythm, resilience, and shared culture.
Speakers
TD
Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
BreakBox Thought Collective 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno, Ca 93721
  Happy Hour, Theater

4:30pm PDT

TEA & TURNUP
Friday July 17, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Libations: Social Aid & Pleasure Club
Makeda Medicina and Mistique present Tea & Turn Up

Tea & Turn up is a space created to amplify sounds and sips that are nourishing for the body. We’re pairing intentionally curated music with herbal teas, infusing an experience that is both intuitive and rhythmic.


Artists
avatar for Mistique Davis

Mistique Davis

Mistique Davis is a multi- hyphenated creative. While her main mediums are sewing and dancing she pour her purposes into tangible experiences! Devoted to serving and sewing seeds of kindness, she makes it a priority to attend community events. From aging out of the foster care system... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for Meketta “Makeda” Ridgle

Meketta “Makeda” Ridgle

I am Meketta. My work is centered in aiding in the restoration of traditional, communal care practices. The care practices that were so innately weaved into our everyday lives. I serve as a birth worker, an herbalist and a movement guide. 

I recognize plant awareness as a life skill, and working with herbs as allies, and as medicine. Being present and serving families through the transitions that birth brings is imperative to my work. This is centered in honoring the sacred nature of birth, and ensuring that the physiological... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 4:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Libations: Social Aid & Pleasure Club 1721 Van Ness Ave Fresno CA 93721
 
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