Visual Artist

Teddy “Stat” Phillips is a Seattle-based multidisciplinary artist, engineer, and cultural storyteller originally from Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. Rooted in activism and Black cultural expression, his work explores the intersections of identity, spirituality, luxury, survival, satire, and Americana through bold visual narratives grounded in contemporary Black culture.

Drawing inspiration from Southern culture, hip hop, Black pop culture, social commentary, and communal experiences, Phillips creates scenes that challenge viewers to reconsider where holiness, humanity, contradiction, and redemption exist. Through his work, he aims to educate, empower, and entertain while creating space for conversation, reflection, and cultural connection.

Phillips is also the creator of the chart-topping app “For The Culture,” a celebration of Black history and pop culture that has reached more than one million users worldwide. His work and cultural impact have been featured in BET and The New York Times, and he was recognized as one of Seattle’s 40 Under 40 and one of Seattle’s “100 Most Influential People.”

In addition to his artistic practice, Phillips has collaborated with organizations including the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, Seattle Mariners, Adobe, and Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Foundation.

For Crowned: A Black Renaissance, Phillips will be showcasing works from his debut fine art series, Jesus Is The Homie.

@stattheartist

Visual Artist

Based in Seattle, Washington, contemporary artist and intentional curator Jonarra Swanson uses her creative practice to drive meaningful change, solve problems, and strengthen community bonds. A self-taught artist, her work is a fusion of poetry, expressionism, and figurative storytelling, rooted in a deep curiosity about what connects us to ourselves, one another, and the communities we build together.

With a passion for human connection, Swanson explores the intricate balance between self-expression and collective belonging, seeking to capture the profound essence of humanity. Her work champions the idea that our shared human experience is the foundation for empathy and equality, inviting viewers to recognize the invisible threads that connect us all.

Jonarra's commitment to fostering connection extends beyond her personal artistic practice. Through creative strategy, curation, and cultural programming, she helps individuals, businesses, and organizations connect more deeply with art and community. She is also the founder of MUVA, a Seattle retail space dedicated to supporting creative mothers by providing a platform for artists and entrepreneurs to grow their work and expand their ventures.

As her artistic practice continues to evolve, so does a community rooted in connection, love, and growth. For Crowned: A Black Renaissance, Swanson’s work reminds us that the crown is not something to be earned or bestowed. It is something we carry within us. Through themes of identity, connection, and collective empowerment, she invites us to honor the stories, dreams, and possibilities that shape who we are becoming.

@jonarra

DJ

Hailing from Federal Way, Washington, DJ Yohiness is a genre-bending selector known for bringing bold energy, creativity, and intention to every set. With a dynamic approach to house music and an ear for blending sounds across genres, he creates experiences that are both unexpected and deeply felt.

Driven by rhythm, connection, and a love for moving people through music, Yohiness has built a reputation for reading crowds and crafting unforgettable moments. From Drake’s It’s All A Blur Tour afterparty and Jamal Adams’ private birthday celebration to Bryson Tiller’s afterparty and the Travis Scott afterparty alongside Chase B, Yohiness brings the same infectious energy whether commanding a packed dance floor or elevating intimate spaces. He has shared stages with artists including Grammy-nominated Murda Beatz and A$AP ANT, earning recognition for his ability to seamlessly blend genres, master the mic, and keep the room moving.

For Crowned: A Black Renaissance, Yohiness will provide the soundtrack for an evening celebrating creativity, culture, and community. Through music that bridges styles, generations, and influences, he creates the energy that brings people together and keeps the room moving.

@yohinessj

Musical Artist

Seattle-based recording artist King Zaae is helping shape the next generation of West Coast R&B through a sound that is both emotionally honest and unmistakably his own. Having begun releasing music at just 10 years old, Zaae has spent years refining a genre-blending style that fuses R&B, hip-hop, and pop into music that feels both contemporary and deeply personal.

Driven by vulnerability, authenticity, and a commitment to growth, Zaae’s songwriting explores the complexities of love, relationships, ambition, and self-discovery. His music captures emotions in real time, transforming personal experiences into stories that resonate far beyond himself. Through every lyric and melody, he creates space for reflection, connection, and emotional truth.

His newest album, Intentional, released in May 2026, reflects King Zaae’s true sound and artistic vision. Blending contemporary R&B with the energy and bounce of modern West Coast hip-hop, the project showcases his range as both a songwriter and storyteller. Rooted in vulnerability, confidence, and self-discovery, Intentional offers an honest portrait of an artist continuing to grow into his voice.

For Crowned: A Black Renaissance, King Zaae brings a performance rooted in self-expression, vulnerability, and creative evolution, reminding us that growth, intention, and authenticity are powerful forms of self-definition.

@21zaae