Over My Head

Perpetual Sabbatical

How do we embrace a new way of being when so many of the old and unsustainable ways continue to be incentivized? Corey shares the story of a serendipitous encounter with a powerful life lesson that took a decade to unlock. Perpetual Sabbatical provides insight for interrogating your current social impact practice and fundamentally shifting the way you and your institution can exist. Corey Davis (he|they), Founder & Creative Director, Maven Leadership Collective Alexandra Martinez, (she|her) Producer

Over My Head

Over My Head is a call to action. Inspired by the powerful anthems of the Black Church in America, it reimagines how joy and power-building can fuel today’s social justice movements. Rooted in spirituals and sacred music, the work was developed over three days in a collaborative, experimental workshop led by Hued Songs, a Maven-led nonprofit dedicated to amplifying Black culture, and guided by a prompt from Maven Leadership Collective. While we hoped for a cohesive result, the focus was always on the process, not the outcome. What you hear is pure experimentation—an honest reflection of what happens when artists have the freedom to explore without the pressure of perfection. Maven Laurah Merisier (she|they), Vocalist Jasmine Willliams (she|her), Vocalist Miriam King (she|her), Vocalist Chauncey Riley (he|him), Drums Muzelle, (she|her), Violin Joshua Walton (he|him), Bass J'von Brown (he|him), Vocalist & Vocal Director Kendall “King” Friday (he|him), Keyboard & Music Director Maven Kunya Rowley (he|him), Artistic Director, Hued Songs Corey Davis (he|they), Executive Producer

The Company We Keep Pt. 1

What does it mean to be “in community”? From board leadership to loved ones, let’s discuss the meaningful relationships that propel us to become more impactful leaders. Hear from Mavens and collaborators in the arts, organizing, and consulting as they share the reasons they invest in values-based relationships and the criteria and practices they use to elevate them beyond the transactional. Contributors share insight on how relationships influence board culture, staff engagement, organizational change, professional development, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Maven Pioneer Winter, (he|they) Executive Artistic Director, Pioneer Winter Collective Alyssa Nitchun, (she|her) Executive Director, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art J. Soto, (he|him) Director of Engagement & Operations, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Maven Iliana Santillan, (she|her) Executive Director, El Pueblo Maven Gaby Garcia-Vera, (all pronouns) Founder, Flamboyan Consulting Alexandra Martinez, (she|her) Narrator & Producer Corey Davis (he|they), Executive Producer

The Company We Keep Pt. 2 | (board remix)

What does it mean to be “in community”? From board leadership to loved ones, let’s discuss the meaningful relationships that propel us to become more impactful leaders. Hear from Mavens and collaborators in the arts, organizing, and consulting as they share the reasons they invest in values-based relationships and the criteria and practices they use to elevate them beyond the transactional. Contributors share insight on how relationships influence board culture, staff engagement, organizational change, professional development, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Jazmyn Beauchan (she|her), Narrator Diane Felicio (she|her), Board President, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Maven Doris Parent (she|her), Chief IDEAS Officer, The Philadelphia Orchestra & Ensemble Arts | Board Chair, Maven Leadership Collective Maven Pioneer Winter (he|they), Executive Artistic Director, Pioneer Winter Collective Corey Davis (he|they), Executive Producer

U-Know (Over My Head remix)

Musician Diego Melgar (he|him) reflected on the music that has moved him to action in the past–it is electronic music. The passion and dedication he has seen in communities—both for music and for social justice—continues to inspire him. Drawing influence from Chicago Footwork, gospel, sacred steel music Melgar offers this reflective meditation on the original version of Over My Head, using isolated samples. He uses improvisation, layers of lush guitars and drums—even the imperfections and oddities in his performance—as landmarks to create a sense of propulsion early in the track. Despite the shifting tempo, Melgar maintains a consistent rhythm using a wooden rim sound, anchored by rhythmic mathematics.The intentionality behind every part of this production is evident, showcasing techniques Melgar has learned over recent years in full bloom. Diego Melgar (he|him), Producer Marty Quinn (he|him), Bass