Carl Brister is an award-winning recording artist, educator, arts advocate, and the Founder/CEO of Music Village, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and community engagement through the performing arts. His work blends music, storytelling, education, and cultural programming to create experiences that inspire healing, connection, and empowerment across communities.
As a music artist, Carl has released four independent albums and more than ten singles, earning recognition for music that combines emotional authenticity with social impact. He is the recipient of the LIT Global Award for Best Duo for I See You, a collaboration with his son Jordan “J-Maestro” Brister that celebrates family, visibility, and unity through music. His artistry and community work have been featured on Access Hollywood, BET, Aspire Network, and major national television outlets. Carl is also preparing to release a cinematic reimagining of Hello, scheduled for June 20.
Through Music Village, Carl has expanded his artistic vision into a broader movement centered on arts access and cultural inclusion. In 2016, he founded the Love+Unity Fest, which has since grown into Love+Unity Week—a multi-day celebration featuring music, dance, visual arts, poetry, spoken word, youth engagement, and community-centered programming throughout New Jersey. Under his leadership, Music Village has developed workshops for students, professional development programs for educators, and creative initiatives that use the arts as tools for dialogue, healing, and belonging.
Among the organization’s newest programs is Feel It, Sing It, Live It: The Story of Soul Music & You, an arts education assembly experience designed for students in grades K–8. The program introduces young audiences to the history, cultural significance, and emotional power of soul music while encouraging self-expression and social-emotional growth.
With a career rooted equally in artistry and service, Carl Brister continues to build bridges between music, education, and community impact. More information can be found at CarlBrister.com.