Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samuel Lewis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samuel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I have been involved with is the Hyde Park Jazz Festival’s Back Alley Jazz Program.

Back Alley Jazz is inspired by the original jazz alley jams that took place in various locations on the South Side in the 1960s and 1970s and continue today in different forms. The project creates a contemporary neighborhood “happening” that animates, builds on, and celebrates Chicago’s history and the continuum of culture and art within communities.

Having resident involvement in this work is crucial, and it has been such a rewarding experience getting to know South Shore community members, developing friendships and helping them, through our partnership, more fully realize the vibrant, safe, and activated neighborhood they deserve.

Samuel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been involved in the arts since attending a performing arts elementary school. I have been a creative performer for most of my life. After moving to Chicago to attend Columbia College in the mid-1990s, I became involved in the vibrant cultural arts scene in Chicago. Since then, I have co-founded an arts organization and two community festivals and have worked for and served on the board of directors for many arts organizations.

Recently, my work has centered around community outreach and engagement. I work with various community stakeholders and organizations to bring or develop relevant cultural programming to neighborhoods on the South and West Sides, which helps communities hold space and create valuable “Third Place” environments that promote entertainment, safety, health, and wellness, all while promoting culturally relevant artists and performers.

In the wake of the COVID pandemic, my work has become even more vital as communities attempt to reconnect with others, rebuild interpersonal relationships, and hedge against feelings of isolation, loneliness, and despair.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest goal on my creative journey is to highlight the stories, culture, and genius of traditionally marginalized people, especially Black or African Americans. We have not had many opportunities or a platform to tell our stories, in our way, and to show that we are more resilient, creative, and intelligent than most popular narratives suggest.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The areas of support that I believe artists and creatives need:

* Time and space to create new work, such as artists’ residencies, fellowships, and creative sabbaticals.
* Increased unrestricted funding support from Federal, State, Local, Foundation sources, and individuals.
* Access to audiences via relevant platforms for performance and presentation.

We also need people to donate their time by joining the Boards of Directors of arts organizations, helping them to fulfill their valuable missions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/samuellewis/home
• Instagram: @sam_u_el-le_w_is
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samiam313
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjlewis/
• Twitter: @samiam313
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samuelj.lewisii6819
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/samiam313

Image Credits

All photos by Sam Lewis