Less Than 3 Weeks Away: Dxtr & Nikki Giovanni Tribute
Hey Fam!
3 weeks until we gather in Chicago to celebrate Dr. Nikki Giovanni and shift narratives around mental health.
Sept 2nd, We are launching the inaugural tour event for our Album, Drowning In the Open.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting deeply on my time creating with Nikki. I realize that she taught me without ever having to explicitly say it that healing happens when we stop pretending we aren’t hurting.
We call the album and event Drowning in the Open because so many of us are struggling right in front of everyone, while putting on a smiling face. We walk past each other every day in the city, carrying heavy burdens in silence.
Nikki’s legacy was always about breaking that silence with community care.
That’s why the centerpiece of our event on September 2nd is the “Room For Light” exhibition.
When you walk into the venue (1821 W Hubbard St), you won’t just stand in front of art. You’ll walk through glowing, lightbox portraits with embedded audio. You’ll put on headphones, look into the eyes of real people, and hear their raw stories of resilience, grief, breakthrough, and joy.
It’s an invitation to see yourself in someone else’s story.
Event Schedule (Wed, Sept 2):
5:30 PM – Doors Open (Free Parking On-Site)
6:00 PM – Light Box Open House & Exhibition Experience
7:00 PM – Panel & Unfiltered Community Dialogue
8:00 PM – Live Performances & Nikki Giovanni Tribute
9:00 PM – DJ & Dance
Every ticket purchased directly fuels our mission to scale this experience nationwide—bringing light box installations and mental health programming to cities across the U.S.
→ Secure your space in the room
Let’s step out of the shadows together.
In peace,
Dxtr
