Soul Speak: Where Story Meets Soul

Co-Directed by Yvette Modestin and Michele Avery, is the creative force behind the impactful play Crown of Times and the popular immersive exhibit What's Hair Got To Do With It? Their collaboration combines two decades of artistry and activism dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Black community.

Yvette Modestin-Lepolata Aduke Apoukissi-Empress Modest-I is a writer, activist, poet, visual artist, playwright and storyteller born and raised in Colon, Panama. Ms. Modestin was named one of “30 Afro Latinas you should know." The Boston Globe named her “The Uniter” for her work in bringing the Latin American and African American community together and for her activism in building a voice for the Afro Latino Community. She is the co-curator of The HairStory Project production ReRooted. She is the founder of #MyCrownSpeaks Street Stories. In 2021 Ms. Modestin testified before the Massachusetts Senate on behalf of the Crown Act. The Crown Act was passed in March 2022 in Mass. She is the narrator of the Museum of Science production, Black Hole Symphony. Yvette’s passion is the empowerment of the Black community, she highlights the need to repair the ongoing impact on the Trans Atlantic Slavery from a Pan African perspective using the arts as a way to heal internally and externally.

Michele Avery is a writer, producer, and director, born and raised in the Republic of Brooklyn, NY. She has 20 years of experience in writing, copywriting, social media, and creative marketing within the entertainment and media space, working with recognizable brands such as the OWN Network, lifestyle brands Food Network, and Cooking Channel. Michele brought her creative and visual skills to the ReRooted project as a Creative Director and Consultant for the HairyStory Project. She is a cofounder of ReRooted Productions. Avery’s passion is the advocacy and empowerment of Black Women and interested in partnering with organizations that engage with the Black community authentically and unapologetically.

Nadia Washington is a multidisciplinary artist, songwriter, producer, vocalist, and educator whose work centers on healing and women’s empowerment. She has taught at Berklee College of Music for over eight years, including five years with the Berklee Global Jazz Institute under Artistic Director Danilo Pérez, and is the creator of Experiential Workshop for Performers and Creative Leaders, designed to help artists develop their unique artistry, leadership, and creative voice.

She has performed at Carnegie Hall with Dianne Reeves, the Kennedy Center with the community healing project CODE: Listen, Umbria Jazz Festival (2025), and Panama Jazz Festival (2025, 2026)—including with the Princess Orelia Collective, an all-female ensemble honoring Panamanian Renaissance woman Princess Orelia. She has toured internationally with her band across Europe, Russia, Africa, and Japan.

Nadia has performed and collaborated with Esperanza Spalding, Lalah Hathaway, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington, George Duke, Ray Angry (The Roots), Georgia Anne Muldrow, and DJ Mark de Clive-Lowe. Her work on Dianne Reeves’ Beautiful Life contributed to its Grammy Award (2015).

Her recent album, Hope Resurgence, has been praised for its emotional depth and healing power.