Who gets to tell the story and who gets to see themselves reflected in it? Ron Himes explores why representation in the arts matters and how storytelling can help create communities where people feel seen, valued, and connected.

Drawing from his experience in theater and cultural leadership, Ron invites us to consider how the arts can expand understanding and empower us through one another’s stories.

Ron is the founder and producing director of The Black Rep and a longtime cultural leader in the St. Louis region.

Through decades of work in theater and community leadership, he has championed storytelling that broadens whose voices are heard and creates opportunities for connection, reflection, and social change. His work explores how the arts can strengthen communities and deepen our understanding of one another.

Music by Patrick Rafferty, an active performer and teacher who performs in concerts across the Midwest and teaches in a variety of studio and classroom settings across the area. A polished interpreter of the traditional guitar repertoire, he is equally at home in a wide range of popular and world music styles.

Patrick has extended his interests to early guitar repertoire with a focus on Baroque guitar, 19th century guitars and the music that was written for them. Patrick currently serves on the guitar faculty of Southeast Missouri State University, Saint Louis University and the Webster Community Music School.