Originally conceived as a medium for Chicago-based multimedia artist/educator Damon Locks’s sample-based sound collage work, Black Monument Ensemble (BME) has evolved from a solo mission into a vibrant collective of artists, musicians, singers, and dancers making work with common goals of joy, compassion, and intention. Galvanized by Locks’s conceptualizing, poeticizing, and guiding vision, the contributors represent the richness and diversity of Black artistic excellence in Chicago. Together they weave unique perspectives and experiences to uplifting, anthemic, and highly animated musical performance. Two albums and a pandemic later, Black Monument is on the brink of recording their third album. BME is a multi-generational collective whose members range from 13- 55 years old.