Meet the Professor,

Portia K. Maultsby, Ph.D.

Dr. Portia K. Maultsby is the creator of The Evolution of African American Music chart featured on the back of our shirt. She is an internationally renowned ethnomusicologist specializing in African American music with an emphasis on popular and religious traditions. Established in 1971, she also is the founding director of the Indiana University Soul Revue, the country’s first credit-bearing ensemble specializing in Black popular music. A portion of the proceeds of the shirt will go to her alma mater, The Jones High School Foundation, as it served as a fundamental influence in cultivating her passion for music.

About the chart

The Evolution of African American Music is a timeline that traces the emergence and cross connections of over 50 musical genres and sub-genres. This history begins in the 17th century with the arrival of enslaved Africans accompanied by their music and culture to the United States, followed by the rise of a distinctive African American culture and music in the 19th century, and concludes with their contemporary manifestations in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Meet the Designer,

Phillip T. Annand

As the founder of the creative agency The Madbury Club (a team of crazy-talented creatives that defied definition), Phillip T. Annand has done great things in the world of design and branding. Having done work for GAP, Nike, and Microsoft Surface, Phillip is notable for always adding his distinct and humorous style for great storytelling. Sadly the Madbury run came to a bittersweet end, and Phillip went on a hiatus from the world of design.

We are beyond honored to have Phillip lend his design expertise to this piece.