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ARTIST BIO
photo credit:Chris Charles
U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo, based in Boston is a Zimbabwean-American artist and creative consultant renowned for her extraordinary talents and impactful contributions to the world of arts and culture. As a professional artist, Educator, poet, storyteller, word architect, singer, and actress, she travels extensively between the USA, Africa, and other parts of the world, drawing inspiration and forging connections that enrich her work and the projects she undertakes.
With a career marked by numerous prestigious awards and recognitions, Mhlaba-Adebo transcends artistic boundaries, engaging audiences worldwide with her transnational perspective. Her dedication to inclusivity and equity in the arts and wellness has earned her esteemed recognition from Boston, Massachusetts Mayor Michelle Wu in January 2023, applauding her Massachusetts Mayor Michelle Wu in her creative excellence and commitment to fostering diversity within Boston. In September 2023, she proudly holds the prestigious Brother Thomas Fellowship, a recognition earned among 19 distinguished awardees.
Mhlaba-Adebo’s illustrious journey includes being named a 2021 Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship recipient by the Arts and Business Council of Boston and receiving the BIPOC Arts Leaders Ripple Grant from the Cultural Equity Leadership (ACI). Her influence extends beyond exhibition halls, with notable appearances on GBH's "Suitcase Stories" and her role as the Costume Stylist for the award-winning film "Memoirs of a Black Girl," featured at the Boston Globe Black History Film Festival, the Roxbury International Film Festival, and the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival.
As a creative consultant, Mhlaba-Adebo plays a pivotal role in the Maoko Project, an initiative she founded in 2020, though it had been operational since 2008, dedicated to leveraging the arts for social impact. She helps organizations and companies curate art activations that amplify narratives, raise awareness, entertain, and educate diverse audiences. Skilled at enhancing creativity and class, she provides unique experiences for various budget sizes using design thinking principles. With a rolodex of creative relationships built in the USA, she can find artists for any project. As a master communicator and trainer, Mhlaba-Adebo coaches professionals and students in public speaking, crafting speeches, and writing poems for special occasions. Her first book, "Soul Psalms," was published by She Writes Press in California, USA, with an audio version set for release in Fall 2024. Her contributions include works in Pulitzer Finalist "Under the Skin" by Linda Villarosa and "Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis: Women Respond" by Stephanie Raffelock. She also provides copywriting services for commercials and voice-overs, working with clients like Traliblazhers women's running group sponsored by Puma.
Her impressive portfolio includes performances and collaborations with prestigious institutions such as museums like MFA Boston, ICA Boston, and the Boston Opera House, music venues and festivals like Wally's Jazz Cafe and Scullers Jazz Club, and organizations like the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement and the Boston Rape Crisis Center. In education, with 20 years of experience, Mhlaba-Adebo has taught middle to high school students, integrating creative arts into learning environments and emphasizing trauma-informed care, employee wellness, classroom management, and social-emotional intelligence. She also trains teachers on creating optimal learning environments and facilitates employee wellness days to enhance productivity and engagement through the arts.
Mhlaba-Adebo's educational journey, with a Master's in Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor's in Social Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, informs her holistic approach to arts education. She blends academic insights with artistic expression, fostering environments where creativity and personal growth intersect. Her impact extends beyond artistic endeavors, influencing cultural discourse and empowering communities globally.