"Today I was nominated for my very first Grammy Award in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category. I am so overwhelmed with …"

"I was born in Champaign, Illinois. My father, the late Dr. Ibalaimu Kakoma was completing a post doctoral fellowship …"

"I am the sixth of seven children. We moved to Zambia when I was three years old and when my father began working for …"

"In many ways, Illinois is just as much my home as Africa because I spent the majority of my formative years there."

"I completed my undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies also at the University of Illinois. …"

"I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, but didn’t consider making it a career choice until my early twenties…"

"No one in my immediate family is a professional musician, although the love of music is definitely prevalent."

"My mother has a beautiful singing voice that she shares generously around the house and in church! (I always consider…"

"One of the greatest blessings of my journey as a professional artiste has been the unconditional love and support of …"

"Thank you to my family and all who have supported, cheered, inspired, and loved me through my journey. Thank you to t…"