State Assembly-recognized Ryan Nicole Austin (RyanNicole) is a multi-hyphenate creative, activist and Rainin Fellow who is a Grammy-nominated feature and Kennedy Center artist, TEDx speaker, & has written for ESPN and the NBA. The equity advocate is an award-winning founder of Worth.AI artist rate calculator, and creator of housing justice documentary: The Haven Project. As […]
March 23rd: Message in the Music: Rhonda Benin (singer/storyteller)
Rhonda Benin is a San Francisco Bay Area vocalist, Rhonda has earned a reputation for not just a good voice but showmanship, magnetic stage personality, humor, and of course her great dancing. A 22 year member of The GRAMMY nominated vocal ensemble Linda Tillery and The Cultural Heritage, Rhonda is on the teaching staff of Healdsburg Jazz ‘s Operation Jazz Band, San Francisco Arts Project, LEAP, Cal Performances, Youth In Arts, The Bay Area Jazz Society and conducts her own school assemblies and workshops, “The Voice, The Hands The Feet”, “Twist and Shout” and “Love Letters Make Me Misty Blue”.
March 30th: Ashling Cole (singer)
Ashling Cole’s musical journey began at just 6 years old when she was accepted into the prestigious San Francisco Girls Chorus to study opera. By 17, Ashling had signed with Interscope Records and recorded with producer Teddy Riley, but when the deal fell through, her world crumbled. Devastated and disillusioned, she stepped away from music, taking up a job waiting tables. In 2020, Ashling’s talent and testimony reached new heights when she competed on BET’s *Sunday Best*. Each week, her story of healing and faith resonated deeply with audiences during the global pandemic, and she ultimately finished in the top four. Today, Ashling serves as the worship leader at PFBC in Richmond, CA, where she continues to inspire others through her voice, faith, and powerful message of hope.
