We recently connected with Breon Laníer and have shared our conversation below.

Breon, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I think about the first time I knew, I go back to my childhood—raised in the soulful Pentecostal Apostolic church, where my mother was a choir director and minister of music. I watched her pour into her craft and ultimately witnessed her gift move the service every Sunday. This, coupled with being surrounded by other family members who were musicians and constantly listening to artists like B. Slade, Kim Burrell, and Brandy, helped embed this dream in me.

It really clicked once I got to college. I met my music partner, Fred Dixie, and we began a fruitful musical connection and brotherhood. (We formed BL+K, a duo where we are able and continue to explore the depths of music, push eachother creatively and make meaningful music which I am grateful for.) In college I started performing at venues such as the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom, and most importantly, I realized then that what I was studying couldn’t satisfy me—I needed to return to my first love: music.

Once the dream was truly concretized within me, I felt myself come alive. The energy I experienced on those stages and in jam sessions changed the trajectory of my life forever. Not just the energy, but the opportunity to touch and move people—that was what truly fueled the dream. I watched my mom and my favorite artists do it, and when I finally got to do the same, I understood that this was the real reward.

Breon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Breon Laníer, a singer, performer, vocal arranger, and vocal coach with deep roots in R&B, soul, gospel, and jazz. I hail from the Midwest, which influenced my versatility, and I have now made Washington, D.C., my home.

As far back as I can remember, I was surrounded by music—listening to Howlin’ Wolf on the way to school, singing Lenny Williams in the back seat, watching my mom direct the choir and lead a successful music ministry traveling across the state, and even being greeted by an enormous drum set in the dining room every morning. Music was always there; that’s how I got my start. I vividly remember my mom having me stand up to practice in the evening, helping me hone my skills in areas like intonation, breath control, vocal color, tone, timbre, and more. From there, the seed couldn’t help but grow.

I started competing at age nine, and by my teens, I was a worship leader. Once I got to college, I moved into the jazz and R&B space, and I’ve felt at home there ever since—though genres tend to blend naturally in my artistry.

Today, I am a performing artist with works such as the Frequency EP, which I share with Fred in our musical duo, BL+K. In that project, we landed a feature from my childhood idol, B. Slade. I also coach vocalists ages six and up, alongside songwriting and vocal arranging. In a short time, I’ve had the opportunity to perform at some of the venues I once dreamed of, such as the historic Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, Georgia Street Rhythm & Blues, the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom, and numerous festivals in Indianapolis. Each time, it has been a blessing to connect with people in the crowd and give them something they can feel—that’s what I’m always aiming for.

We live in a world that encourages apathy and discourages emotion. I try to challenge that, subtly letting the crowd know, It’s okay to feel. It’s okay to be vulnerable.

I think that’s what sets me apart. I sing and dabble in all things musically creative, but for me, it’s always a deeply spiritual experience. I believe that energy washes over the rooms I’m in—whether it’s a show, a writing session, or a studio session. My goal is to inspire someone, heal something in someone, or simply remind them that they aren’t alone in the human experience. I think that intention comes through. When people tell me, “I felt like something in me got healed tonight” or “I hear God when you sing,” it humbles me and reminds me that it’s not just about the perfect riff or run. It’s missional—it’s about impacting people and creating change in the world.

What makes me proud is seeing people touched by a performance, working with aspiring artists and creatives in coaching spaces, and having the opportunity to use my craft as activism, depending on the event and the room. The arts have such a profound ability to inspire and create change, and I’m blessed to have even the smallest part in that.

I also take pride in how music continuously challenges me. It inherently requires vulnerability and honesty, and for someone like me who has struggled with shyness, it forces me to face my fears.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

How to Think with Intention by Patrick King. This book is powerful in helping to reframe thought patterns and challenge the limiting beliefs we often have about ourselves. I personally believe that no matter the industry or goal—whether it be starting a business, building a brand, or pursuing an artistic career—it is exponentially harder if one struggles to think well, especially about themselves. This book is extremely empowering and gets to the root of those struggles, allowing healthy thinking to lead to healthy next steps and definitive action toward achieving one’s dreams.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This is going to sound crazy, but I think many artists and creatives need a space where they can just be. The lights can be hot on stage, and it can be challenging to be seen trying and pursuing dreams in front of friends, family, and community. I believe creatives need a space where they can truly be themselves—where they can express their frustrations, receive not just grants or residencies but also resources for personal development, and find a sense of community. These things could absolutely support strong and healthy creatives, allowing them to continue making great work.

I have a huge heart for this, and one day, I want to make it a part of my mission and offerings—a haven, a community, and a developmental space for creatives and artists.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _inthekeyofb
• Other: Apple music profile: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bl-k/1692560572