Home Cooked Heroes

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Creative Team Biographies
Ms. Lotus Fankh, Composer
A name that honors the symbolic rebirth of a lotus, the ankh, a symbol for Life, and the “F” for the Funk. Put those together and you get a glimpse into the ideals Ms. Lotus Fankh holds dear. A WAMI nominated artist and the creator of ‘No Funerals’ (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's #1 Single of 2020), her artistic vision has also gained her recognition on the international platform AFROPUNK.COM (for her release of the 'Better Than This' music video).

A singer, songwriter, performance artist, and soulstress, her sound is inspired by Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Rock. As a performer she expresses personal stories through guitar, loop station, violin, original songs, and her sultry voice. As a songwriter Lotus uses lyrics to address the essence of lived experiences creating narratives that speak the language of the heart. As an artist she is Ms. Lotus Fankh (say it like Funk).
Brit Nicole, Librettist
Brit Nicole is a spoken word artist, community healer, performer, musician, and facilitator based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her first feature performance was in August 2013 at Brewing Grounds for Change. That same year, Brit co-founded PENtastic, one of the longest-running open mics in her hometown. Since then, Brit has taken her talents to Poetry Unplugged, Middle Earth MKE, Imaginary Heroes events, churches, Voltage! Teen Slam, Br(OK)en Genius, and many more. When she is not performing, you can catch Brit hosting an open mic, such as Lyrical Sanctuary, or other community gatherings, such as a game night or writing workshop. She works hard to center reflection, healing, and creativity in all she does, no matter the activity or age group it serves.
Samer Ghani, Videographer and Editor
Andrew Kosmalski, Assistant Videographer
Samer Ghani is a first generation Palestinian American, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Raised in a single mother home and taught through Milwaukee Public Schools, Samer’s first encounter with art was with his time spent at Wedgewood Academy (formerly Bell Middle School), where he played violin and won both National and International awards with his orchestra class. In high school, Samer’s senior art gallery of photography was highlighted in OnMilwaukee (2011), furthering his future career as an artist in the Milwaukee community.

Samer’s time as an artist has bled into the Milwaukee community and beyond, bringing community initiatives to life with partners like The City of Milwaukee, Visit Milwaukee, Imagine MKE, Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Light the Hoan, Vivent Health, Jigsaw, Hason Dodge, Google Arts & Culture, and more, as well as highlighting some of Milwaukee’s best artists in a number of astonishing venues across
the city and nation wide.
​Andrew Kosmalski is a Milwaukee native. His love of photography was handed down to him by his father, as well as his 35mm Nikon. Recently he’s taking his passion and applied it to commercial work. He still finds time to capture the unnoticed and candid moments which bring inspiration and new life on professional projects.
Cast Biographies
Kellen "Klassik" Abston
Multi-instrumentalist producer and performer, Klassik, is as dexterous a rapper as he is an impassioned and soulful singer, intertwined with his own unique, personal and unbridled storytelling. At the age of 10, he began studying saxophone with the Milwaukee jazz legend Berkeley Fudge, whose teachings provided the musical foundation that informs his work to this day. Klassik’s development continued through years of public arts schools, a (very) brief collegiate trip, and throughout all of this, an evolution from jazz saxophonist to producer, emcee, singer and all-around entertainer.

His debut EP, DEATH OF A BEATMAKER (2010), established him within the local scene, and his subsequent full-length, IN THE MAKING (2012), introduced him to a national audience. His most recent album (QUIET, 2019) was named the #1 album of 2019 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and garnered awards at the 2019 Radio Milwaukee Music Awards. His continued artistic output the following year earned him the prestigious honor of being named the City of Milwaukee’s Artist of the Year. A true class act, Klassik works to stir the souls of listeners into action with empathy, passion, and purpose through his own self-reflective sonic art.
Debonne
Debonne is a fourth-grader who enjoys ballet, drawing, reading adventurous stories, swimming outdoors, and playing with her two younger siblings. She is a regular volunteer at Tricklebee Cafe.
Christie Melby-Gibbons, ​Tricklebee Co-Owner
Rev. Christie Melby-Gibbons is the executive director of Tricklebee Café, Milwaukee's first pay-what-you-can community cafe, which is a ministry of the Moravian Church in America and a member of One World Everybody Eats. Her undergraduate work was in Russian Language & Area Studies, as well as an approved self-designed major: Nature Theology, considering questions at the intersection of theological and environmental studies, including recovering a valuation of nature and a sense of responsible
stewardship through spiritual reflection. She has been an ordained minister in the Moravian Church since 2009.

As an artist (eclectic assemblage beading & junk reclamation), an entrepreneur, a spouse, and a mother of three, she finds joy in simple living. She has the audacity to believe that all people deserve good, healthy food regardless of their ability to pay for it with money, and that a kin-centric economy--based on the assumption that everyone has something to offer--is possible because she witnesses it daily.
David Melby-Gibbons, Tricklebee Co-Owner
David Melby-Gibbons is a musician and songwriter based in Milwaukee. His undergraduate work was in Philosophy & Religion. His graduate studies centered on Arts and Transformation. He is an ongoing volunteer at Tricklebee Café, and was part of the visioning team.
Julio Nieves
Julio Nieves is an illustrator, painter, and comic book writer. He works as the Real Food Promoter at Tricklebee Café, which includes an array of tasks ranging from dishwashing to waiting on customers
Sentaces Townsend
Sentaces Townsend is a singer/songwriter, beat-maker, and fashionista. She works as the custodian at Tricklebee Cafe. She is mother to several rats, babysitter for her niece, and enjoys listening to a variety of music.