By Kweku Diaw
Collaboration is a word that’s thrown around a lot these days. And to great effect, the world as we know it would not exist in this version if we refused to engage and involve ourselves with each other. The beauty of collaboration is that it unearths magic that we never knew could exist. It is why Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together, ultimately, is success.”
The launch of Cincinnati Opera’s Black Opera Project emphasizes that. The $6 million three-opera endeavor is the first initiative of its kind and aims to tell Black American stories of resilience and joy. The three new works – one each season from 2026 through 2028 – will provide increased opportunities for cast members and artistic teams of color.
The centerpiece of the company’s 2026 Summer Festival has been the world premiere of Lalovavi, an Afrofuturist opera by Kevin Day and Tifara Brown. The world of Lalovavi, set 400 years in the future, has also birthed a recently released comic book, Rise of Titan, a prequel to the world of Lalovavi. The Black Opera Project and Lalovavi have broken new ground, pushed the boundaries of the operatic world, and fostered collaborations within the Cincinnati community. Among these is the creative partnership between Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Young Black Professionals (CYBP), and CinSei.
The mission of CYBP, a nonprofit, is to be an inclusive professional network that welcomes newcomers to the city, to provide professional and social networking opportunities, and to show up as a positive influence in the city via service and outreach. It was founded in 2012 by a group of six highly motivated young Black professionals who had a bold vision and recognized the need for inclusive networking and events. Since then, the organization has been at the forefront of helping young Black professionals find community in Cincinnati. CYBP hosts a new event every month, striving to bring something new and exciting to the city and to their network.
The scene at CinSei
CinSei, founded by local husband-and-wife duo Kendall and Jaleesa Ross, is a curated third space in Cincinnati for those who want to hang out with community, meet people interested in anime and manga, and most importantly, enjoy some killer matcha. The multi-talented founders have lived and breathed manga and anime since they were kids and combined that enthusiasm with their diligent craft of making matcha to open CinSei. Customers can enjoy their freshly made beverages and other treats while exploring the shelves. CinSei comes from the hybrid of “Cincinnati" and the Japanese word “sensei,” meaning “teacher or leader.”
On a late Monday in June, graciously hosted by CinSei, librettist Tifara Brown and composer Kevin Day met with members of CYBP, led by Calvin Davis, Donor Engagement Manager, in a session full of profound conversation about the origins of Lalovavi, what went into the creative process, and what they hope audiences will witness at the world premiere, July 9 and 11 at Music Hall.
The ethos of Cincinnati Opera is that opera is for everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve been through. Like CinSei and CYBP, the organization embraces the community by meeting people where they are and opening its arms to everyone. Cincinnati Opera is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the community through initiatives like this and appreciates its partnership with CinSei and CYBP in creating such a meaningful moment.