It Takes This Village

It Takes a Village

The D.C. Music Summit has returned for its sixth annual music conference hosted at Anacostia High School on March 22-23.

The two-day conference was filled with industry panels, live performances from local artists, hearty food, and more. This year, the conference focused on highlighting the importance of community for sustainability in the music industry, exemplified by the slogan, “It Takes A Village.” 

Thus, the conference kicked off with an old-school pep rally to welcome all guests and visitors to the nation’s capital. Performances from Malik Dope, The Experience Band & Show, and Nia Monae garnered large applause from the crowd. Guests networked and danced the night away in anticipation of the next morning’s events. 

Blanche Coleman, an up-and-coming artist from Atlanta, came to the conference in hopes of sowing his roots into the live music scene and connecting with artists attending the conference. 

“When I came to visit during the 2022 conference, I was blown away by the love that this community has for music and true artistry. I wanted to tap into that this year and build a base, so that when I move here in August, I am hitting the ground running and collaborating with people here,” Coleman said. 

DJ Heat, named a Top TikToker of 2021 by the Washingtonian, was this year’s keynote speaker for the conference. As a proud resident of Washington, D.C., DJ Heat spins for the Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards basketball teams at the Capitol One Arena. 

She talked of the importance of community and love for your craft, as well as how her identity as a Black woman and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community shaped her throughout her time forging a path for other female DJs. 

“The D.C. community has always been so kind and loving to me throughout my journey. To receive my flowers today for that work means more to me than I can even say right now,” the DJ shared.

In between panels, guests could support local businesses like Be Empowered Clothing and R Street Studio, which were hosted in a mini pop-up shop. Anacostia High School students could be spotted volunteering for the event, helping out with equipment, or moving chairs for panels.

The conference wrapped up in the evening with performances by Kontrolled Khaos, Dumi Right, and Determine 2 Crank. Guests left with goodie bags and invitations to next year’s conference.

Location: Anacostia Senior High School