Today we’d like to introduce you to Alandes Powell.
Hi Alandes, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started at age 12 when I heard Gil Scott-Heron’s *“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”* I didn’t fully understand all the words, but I felt every beat of it. That moment changed me forever. It awakened something in me — a fire, a sense of purpose, and a deep awareness of what it meant to be Black in America. From that point forward, I knew I was called to fight for Black power, for justice, and for the right to be seen, heard, and valued.
That calling stayed with me. It shaped how I moved through the world — how I showed up in my community, in boardrooms, and eventually, in the arts.
In 2020, that purpose took visual form when I led the creation of the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Cincinnati City Hall. What started as a powerful symbol of protest and love quickly became the foundation for something much bigger — Black Art Speaks. We didn’t set out to start a nonprofit, but the need was undeniable. Today, we’re a collective of artists using our voices to heal, provoke, inspire, and transform. We create public art, build programs for youth, partner with institutions, and pay Black artists to do what they do best — lead through creativity.
Before this, I worked in corporate finance, holding senior leadership roles at Citi and Fifth Third. That world taught me how to lead with strategy and manage with impact — skills I now use to build something sustainable for the culture.
From 12 years old to now, I’ve never stopped fighting. The methods have changed, but the mission hasn’t: to empower, to elevate, and to never let the revolution be silenced.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, butI wouldn’t expect it to be. Fighting for justice, equity, and visibility has *never* come easy, especially when you’re doing it as a Black woman, building something rooted in truth and powered by community.
One of the biggest struggles has been navigating spaces that weren’t built for us — where our voices are welcomed only when convenient, and our brilliance is often underpaid or overlooked. Whether it was pushing through red tape to get the mural approved, finding the funding to fairly compensate artists, or simply getting people to see the value in Black-led work, the road has been filled with resistance.
Then there’s the emotional toll. Leading in moments of crisis, holding space for artists and activists while managing the weight of injustice, grief, and exhaustion — that part no one really prepares you for.
But every obstacle taught me something. Every “no” forced me to find another way. And every challenge became an opportunity to build differently — to center care, creativity, and community in all that we do.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth — but it’s been worth it. And I’ve learned that even the roughest roads can still lead to beautiful destinations.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I lead a nonprofit arts collective I co-founded after organizing Cincinnati’s Black Lives Matter mural in 2020. In my role, I lead strategy, operations, partnerships, and fundraising — but at the core, I work to make sure Black artists are seen, paid, protected, and heard.
We specialize in creating large-scale public art rooted in community voice and social justice. From murals and sculptures to youth programs and gallery exhibitions, our work centers Black narratives and empowers artists to use their creativity as a form of resistance, healing, and legacy-building.
Professionally, I bring over 25 years of leadership in finance, having served as a Senior Vice President at Citi and Vice President at Fifth Third Bank. That background gave me the operational discipline and strategic mindset I now use to build sustainable, impactful initiatives within the nonprofit sector. What sets me apart is the ability to lead with both heart and structure — to blend cultural urgency with business acumen. I know how to create beauty with meaning *and* how to budget it, staff it, and scale it.
I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve grown from 17 artists to over 100, and that our projects have created real opportunities — paying Black artists, inspiring youth, uplifting neighborhoods, and shifting narratives across Cincinnati and beyond.
What makes Black Art Speaks — and my leadership — different is that we don’t just make art. We make *impact*. We’re not waiting to be invited to the table; we’re building our own, and making sure others can eat, grow, and thrive at it too.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are so many people who’ve walked alongside me throughout this journey.
First and foremost, my parents and family — the environment they created allowed me to see the beauty of my heritage and taught me to view my Blackness as powerful. That foundation shaped everything. I also had wonderful teachers along the way who nurtured my voice and vision early on.
In corporate America, one of my biggest supporters and mentors was Gregg Morton. He was honest with me, guided me through the complexities of corporate culture, and helped me navigate it in a meaningful way. What made it special was the mutual growth — he helped me, and I helped him better understand perspectives he hadn’t considered before.
Every artist I’ve encountered has also played the role of mentor in some way. While I’ve helped them find paths to ensure their art is seen, they’ve taught me how to lead with vision, passion, and purpose. It’s been a reciprocal journey.
Tashawna O’tabil deserves a special mention. Though she initially came into my life as someone I mentored, her unwavering support during the mural project was indispensable. I truly couldn’t have pulled it off without her.
The list of those who’ve helped is long — and it should be — because this work is not a solo act. I’m especially grateful to the leadership at Fifth Third Bank, NA, including CEO Tim Spence and executives Stephanie Smith and Kala Gibson. Their belief in our mission gave us the platform and resources to go further than we imagined.
And finally, Phillip Holloman and his wife Gail have been steadfast supporters of both me and the artists of Black Art Speaks. Their encouragement and investment have meant the world.
Without each of these individuals, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I carry their impact with me in everything I do. There are so many more. Ultimately, God has always made a way for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackartspeaks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black.art.speaks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackArtSpeaks
