Culture doesn't keep itself. Somebody has to build the rooms, raise the money, and hold the door open.
About
Chicago, IL
I lead organizations that put artists and their stories at the center.
As executive director of Black Alphabet, the world's oldest Black LGBTQ+ arts nonprofit, I help run a film festival that travels from Chicago to Cincinnati, Houston, South Florida, and Uganda, alongside free art-therapy programming. As executive director of Shoga Films, I help produce award-winning documentaries and shorts on Black history, queer identity, and Black–Jewish connection. As founder of Tálá Roots Media, I produce soulful film work made in Chicago. And as co-founder and executive director of the Jamii Center for Arts & Media, I helped build a creative and wellness home in Chicago's Bronzeville — Jamii is Swahili for community.
I wrote Creative Belonging, a book and method about creating your way out of loneliness through art. As a facilitator, that work reaches communities and organizations across the country and, increasingly, past its borders.
- Chicago LGBT Hall of FameInductee
- Columbia College ChicagoAlum
- Festival citiesChicago · Cincinnati · Houston · S. Florida · Washington, DC · Uganda
- Ventures ledFive
Five ventures, one through-line.
Each of these exists to give artists and communities room to make, fund, and remember their own culture.
Black Alphabet
The world's oldest Black LGBTQ+ arts nonprofit — film, art therapy, and culture for the community.
Shoga Films
Award-winning documentaries and shorts on Black history, queer identity, and Black–Jewish connection.
Jamii Center
A community arts-and-wellness space in Bronzeville built for and by the community. Jamii means community.
Tálá Roots Media
A Chicago production company making soulful art that heals and inspires — documentaries and culturally affirming film.
Creative Belonging
A book and a method for creating your way out of loneliness — and the facilitation practice behind it.
Belonging, built in the room.
I'm at my best in dialogue — on a panel, in a fireside chat, or facilitating a room that's making something together. I design workshops and longer engagements for teams and communities, and I'll join your conversation as a guest. The format flexes to the room — a single session or a season of them.
- a. Panels and fireside chats on art, belonging, and cultural leadership
- b. Belonging workshops for teams and communities, built on hands-on creative practice
- c. Creative facilitation and strategy for arts and culture organizations
Conversations about Creative Belonging.
The research hub
Plain, cited summaries of the studies behind building creative culture — funding equity, art and health, placemaking, and belonging. Reading for anyone building the same thing.
Read the research →The book, Creative Belonging →
In the conversation
On Anna's Not Really Cooking (E3 Radio) — talking Black Alphabet and the work.
Where the work shows up.
Festivals, stages, and rooms I'll be in. Come say hello.
-
Apr 22
2026KeynoteLavender Graduation Keynote — City Colleges of Chicago
Kennedy-King College, Chicago, IL · Wednesday at 6:00 PM
-
Apr 18
2026ConferenceLevel Up Conference — Presenter & Panelist
Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
-
Aug 22
2026RoundtableClaiming Space and Being in Public
Green Line Performing Arts Center, Chicago, IL · Saturday at 4:00 PM
-
Jul 5
2026Live conversationPride South Side — Podcast Stage
Chicago, IL · Sunday at 3:00 PM
-
Oct 3
2026FestivalBlack Alphabet Film Festival: Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH
-
Oct 10–11
2026FestivalBlack Alphabet Film Festival: Chicago
Chicago, IL
-
Jun 26–27
2026FestivalBlack Alphabet Film Festival: Houston
Houston, TX
Previously
Start a conversation.
Speaking, facilitation, collaborations, or press — send a note and I'll get back to you.
Prefer email? adam.mcmath@blackalphabet.org