Anqwenique Kinsel is a vocalist and educator specializing in opera, classical music, jazz, and soul. Anqwenique currently serves as the Program Director of Hope Academy of Music and the Arts, an outreach program of East Liberty Presbyterian Church founded in 1999 to bring arts education to children and youth in our community. Anqwenique holds a long-standing connection to Kelly Strayhorn Theater including participating in the flagship program Freshworks in 2014, and as a vocalist in the fifth annual tribute concert, WHITNEY, in 2025.

DS Kinsel is an award-creative entrepreneur and cultural agitator who expresses his creativity through painting, curating, public art, and non-traditional performance. He is the co-founder of BOOM Concepts, a Pittsburgh-based creative hub dedicated to the advancement of Black and brown artists. His work has been exhibited across the U.S. and internationally. As a member of the KST family, he has worn many hats at KST throughout the years including curator, senior producer, Freshworks artist and host for various programs.

Bridgette Perdue has served the greater Pittsburgh region for the past 15 years as a musician, teaching artist and consultant by fostering the artistic gifts of children. In 2025 she was appointed Executive Director of Alumni Theater Company (ATC), the premier institution for identifying, developing, and training young Black performers in the region. Bridgette began performing at KST in 2012 and continues to partner with KST through ATC’s participation in the organization’s long-standing Halloween and MLK Day programming. 

A pioneer of Pittsburgh’s DJ and hip-hop scene since the late 1980s, James Scoglietti—known as Selecta—began DJing at 15 on the University of Pittsburgh’s WPTS radio. He went on to hold residencies at celebrated local venues and was named “Best Hip-Hop Radio Personality” in 1998. In 1999, he opened 720 Records, Pittsburgh’s first hip-hop retail shop. Selecta has supported artists including De La Soul, The Roots, Rakim, and KRS-One.

Treasure Treasure is an artist whose career has spanned three decades. Notable projects: Hedwig & The Angry Inch (City Theatre), GRAPPLING (Director, New Hazlett), Hamlet (Quantum); and Jesus Christ Superstar at the Byham. Broadway: Annie Get Your Gun. Treasure is the co-author and star of Agnus Teaches Acting (New Hazlett). This is Treasure’s fourth year in a row gracing the KST stage, having been featured at the organization’s annual benefit concert, Suite Life, and in the Owning Our Future Symposium.

Ki Ki B Jones is a multimedia personality from Pittsburgh, who has built a career in radio for over 25 years.  She is currently the afternoon host and Assistant Program Manager of WAMO 107.3, an Audacy station.  Ki Ki also hosts her community-engagement show, “What’s Good in Your Hood,” every Wednesday on WAMO 107.3, and co-hosts “Talk Pittsburgh” for KDKA News.  Ki Ki lives on the North Side with her husband Trevin and Bernedoodle puppy, Zaydah.

Erika Strassburger is a Member of Pittsburgh City Council, proudly serving the residents of District 8 as the first woman elected to this seat. Before her career in government, Erika advocated for environmentally sustainable policies at PennEnvironment. Since being sworn into City Council, Erika has passed trailblazing legislation to protect our neighbors’ rights, safeguard Pittsburgh’s finances, and keep our communities clean. Erika graduated from Bucknell University and lives with her family in Squirrel Hill.

Pastor Deryck Tines is a prominent Pittsburgh cultural leader, ordained minister, and gospel artist. He is the founder and director of the Lemington Gospel Chorale, known for bringing vibrant traditional gospel music to audiences across Western Pennsylvania. Passionate about community enrichment, Deryck serves as a co-chair of the Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission and sits on the board of the Afro-American Music Institute. He is also the proprietor of Deryck Tines Consignments in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Jeremy Waldrup has served as the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for fifteen years. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, his background includes economic development initiatives for the City of New York and Charlotte. In Pittsburgh, his leadership has guided downtown through a major transformation, overseeing more than five billion dollars in landmark investments. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the Pittsburgh Public Theater.