Join us for a captivating keynote presentation by Derrick Adams, Baltimore’s celebrated artist and modern griot. Renowned for his mastery in weaving narrative through art, Adams transcends traditional boundaries to create vibrant dialogues around identity, culture, and community.

In this keynote, Adams will share his visionary approach to art as a form of storytelling, blending painting, sculpture, and performance to craft powerful narratives that bridge cultural and geographical divides. As a contemporary griot, Adams uses his work to articulate and preserve the richness of collective experiences, offering new perspectives on how design and art can foster global understanding and connection.

Adams’ innovative narratives challenge conventions and illuminate the intersections of personal heritage and universal themes. Highlighting the work of his Baltimore-based nonprofit- Charm city Cultural Cultivation- Adams discuss the preservation of legacies and how designers can create spaces that foster community. His unique approach to the art of storytelling through a modern lens provides gain insights into how narrative-driven design can inspire and transform our world.

Derrick Adams is a multidisciplinary artist whose work celebrates and expands the dialogue around contemporary Black life and culture through scenes of normalcy and perseverance. driven art can inspire and transform design practices in the context of creating spaces that foster cultural understanding and community.