Image: A non-binary Black person, in a leather jacket, is peering upwards out of a large multi-paned window, in a light filled, brick walled room.

Photo 📷 Molly Gazay

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Image: An Essence magazine page from 2013: a smiling Black aerialist in a gold leotard is suspended on a black fabric. They are centered on the white page. The article is on the left, and the title, "Dare To Be Different" is aligned right, along the… — Image: An Essence magazine page from 2013: a smiling Black aerialist in a gold leotard is suspended on a black fabric. They are centered on the white page. The article is on the left, and the title, "Dare To Be Different" is aligned right, along the fabrics tail.

Kiebpoli M. Calnek

Pronouns: They / He / Kiebpoli

I’m a trans-masculine, gender-expansive, queer Black creative force, deeply engaged in exploring and expressing the cultural fluidity of Blackness, queerness, and the mental health industrial complex. My work intricately weaves together spirituality, socio-historical context, and contemporary issues, providing nuanced insights through collaborative and narrative-driven projects.

With a rich background in physical theater, contemporary dance, and circus skills, my dedication to inclusivity encompasses advocating for the liberation of corporal expression across all bodies, disabilities, and genders.

Through my social enterprise, Black*Acrobat, established in 2009, I’ve developed interdisciplinary programming that amplifies the voices and stories of fringe communities through access, research, and documentation.

My contributions have been recognized and supported by organizations including The New York Foundation for the Arts, Elizabeth Streb, Astraea Foundation, The SilverSun Foundation, and Asian Arts Initiative.