Afro Aloha Live!

Amy Benson is a Nigerian-American multi-faceted creative entrepreneur. Benson was raised in Birmingham, Alabama and her parents are both Nigerian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas San Antonio. She spent most of her career working in marketing, sales, consulting, and hospitality with Fortune 500 companies before pivoting to more freelance and entrepreneurial endeavors. She relocated to Honolulu from Atlanta, Georgia 12 years ago. In 2020, Benson founded Black Bazaar Honolulu, which later transitioned to Afro Aloha. She’s the visionary behind Black is Art, DRIPNIQ Picnic Festival,  Honolulu Black Pride, and the creator of the Afro Aloha Podcast.

Riya is a versatile Afro-Dominican/Palauan singer whose career has spanned two decades in Hawaii and abroad. As a background vocalist, Riya has supported Peabo Bryson, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Ruben Studdard, Bobby Caldwell, Sheila E., Ray Parker Jr, Deniece Williams, Mary J Blige and many more.  In the recording studio Riya has contributed to recordings by The Green, Nomad, Mahkess, Mike Love, and Paula Fuga to name a few, and has as a recording artist she’s released multiple projects including one with her band mates ‘The Jay. Keyz Project’s debut album "The Golden Age" and “Day In Day Out” featuring Jemerie Morgan.

Riya is also no stranger to the theatrical stage as well, as an actress she received a Po'okela Award nomination for her role in 'Beehive' at the Manoa Valley Theatre. Riya has also been a regular at the Blue Note Hawaii starting in 2016.

A private Vocal Instructor, a Saxophonist, a highly respected Vocalist, and a Mother, Riya has touched hearts of over 2 million people all around the world from New York to Palau and across the state of Hawaii.

Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was adopted at 6 weeks old and brought to the island of Maui, Hawaiʻi. It is here that his new family and home shaped Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez into one of Hawaiʻi’s refreshing talents. Kamaka’s education played a huge part in his love and appreciation for Hawaiian culture and music and now shares this as an educator teaching Hawaiian language, ’Ukulele and many other skills to do with Hawai’i’s culture in effort to keep Hawai’i’s language alive and thriving. A fluent speaker of the Hawaiian language he provided voiceover work for the Hawaiian language version for Disney’s feature film “Moana”, has won several local music competitions, and his debut solo album "Wahi Mahalo" won the 2013 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Award for EP Album of the year. Kamaka is recognized for having a Hawaiian heart and soul and has great respect for his Hawaiian upbringing, as well as his African American roots.

Stephen Hill is an award-winning actor (Best Male Actor, ABFF Star Project 2010), known for his role as Theodore Calvin in the reboot series of Magnum P.I. Hill graduated with honors in mass media/broadcasting from Hampton University. He’s held a variety of roles in film, TV, theater, web series, etc. Hill was cast in the lead role of York in the HBO mini-series, Lewis & Clark, and also on HBO, in Pete Chatmon's BlackCard, and in the fifth season of Boardwalk Empire in the recurring role of Clarence, right hand man to Jeffrey Wright's, Dr. Narcisse. On Netflix, in Kiara Jones' Christmas Wedding Baby, Stephen gives a heartfelt and truthful performance in the lead role of Issac. Hill also can be seen in Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Louie, Political Animals, and Unforgettable. Hill can also be seen embodying the role of Jackie Robinson in the award-winning documentary, Jackie Robinson: My Story. Watch Stephen online in the soulful film Runaway, starring opposite Grammy nominated vocalist Carolyn Malachi, and in the hilarious series Fort Knox. He most recently played Henry “Buster” Broadnax in The Color Purple.

Dr. Camonia Graham-Tutt is currently an Associate Professor, Director of Special Programs, Director of the Student Research and Creative Works Symposium, and Coordinator for the Office of Professional Development and Academic support at the University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu. Dr. Graham-Tutt is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) making her uniquely qualified to assess, design and implement sustainable community health education programs that deliver positive benefits to vulnerable communities. She received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Baylor University in Health Science Education and her Ph.D. from Howard University in the field of Medical Sociology.

As a behavioral health organizer/researcher, she is dedicated to understanding and communicating health prevention efforts for all populations.  She has a relentless passion for ground-breaking education strategies that assist vulnerable communities.  She also has strong academic-community research partnership experience, having worked at several communities, colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Dr. Jacqueline Sherman (aka Dr. Jac) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Intimacy and Relationship Coach, and Military Spouse based in Honolulu, HI. She is passionate about helping women build confidence, and teaches couples all over the world how to have better relationships, and mind-blowing intimacy. In 2022, she released Sexfirmation Cards ®, the first sexual wellness card deck for women. The deck helps women boost their sex confidence and enhance their intimacy by developing a practical sexual self-care practice. Dr. Jac has become a sought-after resident relationship/sex expert for ESSENCE Magazine, and featured contributor in XoNecole, Bustle, Madamenoire, and USA Today.

Vincent Brathwaite is a Caribbean-American executive design leader, educator, and international speaker. He is the founder of Gidens, an AI-powered small business advisor and automation web app. 

Gidens streamlines back-office administrative tasks, empowering entrepreneurs to focus on growth. Gidens was recognized as one of six tech startups to watch in 2025 in Hawaii by Pacific Business News. 

With a career spanning two decades, Vincent has driven transformative design strategies, built cross-cultural connections, and led global design communities. 

He lives in Ewa Beach with his wife, Magalie Lachoua, and remains committed to driving innovation, servant leadership, and sustainable community impact.

DJ 1DRLUST (Wanderlust) exists to create sonic experiences and make space for others to vibe, connect, and express freely. A DJ, visual artist, poet, and singer-songwriter, she blends sound, storytelling, and immersive visuals to craft experiences that move both body and soul. When she’s not behind the decks, she’s shaping minds as a PhD student, college lecturer, and high school educator, bridging music, education, and artistry to challenge conventions and spark new possibilities.