Writing a poem for his great aunt’s retirement celebration is where Orville Walker Jr. discovered a passion that would ultimately shape the course of his life. What began as a single heartfelt piece became the foundation of a lasting artistic journey.

Born in Takoma Park and raised between Jamaica and Seat Pleasant, Orville has spent years using poetry as a vehicle for truth, reflection, and human connection. Although he had been writing for years, he officially began performing spoken word in Washington, D.C. in November 2009, quickly becoming known for his emotionally honest storytelling, commanding stage presence, and ability to connect deeply with audiences.

His work explores the realities of being an artist, the importance of consistency, and the challenge of remaining authentic in a constantly changing world. Over the years, Orville has shared his voice on numerous respected stages and platforms including The White House during President Obama’s final term, Howard Theatre, Busboys and Poets locations throughout the DMV, with the Washington Wizards in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Kellogg’s Cereal Peace Conference, Howard University, West Virginia University, as well as countless colleges, youth organizations, and spoken word venues across the country.

In 2018, Orville released his spoken word/music project, The Soul of a Man Vol. 1, available on all major streaming platforms.

Beyond his work as an artist, Orville is also the founder, owner, and host of PurePoetryLive, one of North America’s premier spoken word platforms. This June, PurePoetryLive proudly celebrates 14 years of cultivating community, amplifying voices, and creating impactful experiences through the art of spoken word poetry.

Darryl Murphy

Darryl C. Murphy is WAMU’s reporter covering arts and culture.  Previously, he hosted The Common, a news and culture podcast featuring deep conversations with local leaders and changemakers, at WBUR in Boston.

Before hosting The Common, Murphy was a business and transportation reporter at WBUR. He arrived there in 2021 from WHYY in Philadelphia, where he covered transportation and city planning—reporting on the ways people move through and shape their cities.

A graduate of Temple University, Murphy got his start at The Temple News and later became the education reporter for what is now Chalkbeat Philadelphia. In his        free time, he enjoys baking and listening to vinyl.

Dr. Lovail M. Long, Sr.

Dr. Lovail Long, Sr. is a storyteller, playwright, producer, and founder of DC Black Broadway, a leading theater company in Washington, D.C. At his core, he is a visionary who believes deeply in second chances and uplifting voices that are often overlooked. Raised by a single mother, Lovail credits much of his wisdom and success to the guidance of strong women, his faith, and his belief in himself. His journey has not been without challenges. During a six-year incarceration, he discovered a passion for writing and met his creative partner, Salahuddin Mahdi. That experience sparked his mission to bring Black stories and experiences to the stage.

Through DC Black Broadway, Dr. Long reimagines classic productions through a Black cultural lens, highlighting local stories and talent. His breakout production, The Giz, a Go-Go-inspired version of The Wiz, debuted in 2018 and made history at the MGM National Harbor.

His work has earned major recognition, including multiple Mayor’s Arts Awards, and honors across Washington, D.C. Today, Dr. Long continues to preserve culture, amplify community voices, and inspire others through the power of storytelling.

Nori Nori

Nori-Nori is an award-winning multimedia personality from Chattanooga, TN, with a master’s degree in Administration of Justice and Securities from the University of Phoenix. She has been featured on major platforms including BET+, CNN, Fox 5 DC, and SXSW, and has built a dynamic career across radio and television nationwide. Now based in the DMV, she is an on-air personality and executive producer of The Good Morning Show on WPGC 95.5. Nori-Nori is also an author of the children’s book The Chicken That Could Fly, the first in a series designed to inspire imagination in young readers. Passionate about filmmaking and storytelling, she actively volunteers with programs that empower youth.

Mustafa Tariq

Mustafa Tariq is an Emmy Award-winning producer and Mayor’s Arts Award winner, storyteller and cultural curator dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington, DC. He is the creator of DC Decades, a storytelling platform that highlights the city’s cultural, social, and historical evolution through the voices of its residents. By amplifying community narratives, Mustafa has built a living archive that connects generations and ensures that the stories of the nation’s capital are preserved with authenticity and depth.

Building on the success of DC Decades, Mustafa went on to serve as a producer for WHUT-TV PBS’s acclaimed series Decades, which earned him an Emmy Award. The series expanded his mission of preservation by showcasing DC history through compelling visuals, interviews, and storytelling that resonate beyond the city. His work bridges grassroots voices with broader recognition, honoring both the celebrated and unsung individuals who helped shape the culture in the Nation’s Capital.Through his projects, Mustafa continues to use media as a tool for cultural preservation, education, and empowerment. His commitment is not only to documenting history, but also to sparking dialogue, inspiring pride, and curating a deeper understanding of the city that defines his work: Washington, DC.

Phyl Collier

Phyl, “2chillphyl”, Collier is a divinely destined alchemist. She transforms pain into power through her work as an award-winning spoken-word artist, author, mentor and activist. In 2023, she was ranked #8 Woman Poet in the World. She was the 2024 DMV Renaissance Awards Best Female Poet and is the current Spoken Word to GoGo Champion. She is a published author and multi-time slam champion who has been featured on Button Poetry, at Busboys & Poets, Voices in Power, Release Open Mic, Piano Keys and many more. 

Phyl believes through words we express, heal, inspire and change the world!

Ron Moten

Mr. Ronald “Moe” Moten, a fifth generation Washingtonian, was educated in DC Public Schools and raised in the Petworth community by his grandparents, Edward and Thaddina Floyd, who instilled in him a lifelong commitment to service, accountability, and community uplift. Guided by Booker T. Washington’s principle, “You can’t get something for nothing,” Mr. Moten transformed personal trials into a mission of peacemaking, cultural preservation, and advocacy that has impacted Washington, DC for more than three decades.

In 1995, as spokesman for Ceasefire Don’t Smoke the Brothers and Sisters, Mr. Moten became a leading advocate for local music, culture, and education during a period when vocational and music programs were being eliminated from DC public schools. By 2002, his work became deeply rooted east of the Anacostia River, where, as co-founder of Peaceoholics, Inc., he helped broker more than 40 truces and supported 140 students in matriculating to colleges nationwide. He later co-founded Don’t Mute DC alongside Dr. Natalie Hopkinson and Toney Lewis, Jr., helping lead the movement that resulted in GO-GO being recognized as the official music of the District of Columbia.

Mr. Moten is also the founder, president, and CEO of the GO-GO Museum and Cafe in historic Anacostia, an internationally recognized cultural institution celebrating DC’s music and history. His leadership has earned numerous honors, including the 2025 Washington Business Journal Diversity in Business Award, the 2023 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joseph R. Biden, the 2023 DC Black Chamber of Commerce Community Leader Award, the 2020 Mayor’s Arts Award for Community Advocacy, and recognition from organizations such as the NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta, McDonald’s, and Search for Common Ground.