The Black experience and how to navigate the national conversation on race relations.

Larrej Drayton and Xenia David co-host conversations and interviewS With black artists and advocacy leaders every Wednesday at 7pm LIVE on coLAB Arts’ Instagram @colabarts.

Larrej Drayton recently graduated from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts-Department of Music with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance, lyric baritone. Larrej has performed in multiple venues with the Rutgers University Glee Club, Rutgers University Choir, and the Rutgers University Kirkpatrick Choir, for which he served as External Relations Manager. When he wasn't performing with these ensembles, he was performing in operas both classical and contemporary with the Rutgers Opera department, under the instruction of Susan Quittmeyer-Morris and working behind the scenes as Assistant Artistic Director of Hub City Opera and Dance Company, Inc. He has also kept busy as the Officer of Student Relations with the Rutgers Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Larrej has also provided musical direction for projects with Cabaret Theatre and the Livingston Theatre Company, as well as conducting the premiere of Thinkery & Verse's first musical "Rita the Cleaning Lady" and the Rutgers Symphonia Ensemble under the guidance of Kynan Johns. Larrej now teaches music theory at St. Paul's Episcopal Choir School once a week in Englewood, NJ and wishes to continue the enrichment of musical scholarship among students in the greater Tri-State area.

Xenia David recently graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor in Journalism and Media Studies. Her interest in media production has varied from her time being the co-editor of her high school newspaper and "Create" magazine to becoming a production crew member. Outside of Rutgers, Xenia took a particular interest in the power of social media and how to utilize it to share important brands like social advocacy groups. Xenia has interned for Sanar, an anti- sex trafficking organization, and worked on their newsletter. She recently finished a digital marketing internship at The Syndicate. Now, she wishes to create content for nonprofit organizations and assist them in their fight for social equity.