Yes, I know that Prince didn’t celebrate birthdays, but I do! I have always celebrated Prince’s birthday, and I always will. Birthdays are important to me.
Yes, I know there are video clips where Prince discusses the importance of celebrating death instead of birthdays. I choose to commemorate both.
As we find ourselves ten years into Prince’s passing, this year may feel like a rollercoaster of emotions for many of us.
But for me, it has been filled with profound gratitude for Prince and a deep sense of wonder at all that he visualized, created, and inspired. His sheer output is truly astonishing and unparalleled.
Save The Dates! Nov 13-15, 2026
#CDE3121 Virtual Prince Symposium
Join us virtually on Nov. 13–15, 2026 (Friday–Sunday) as we continue to commemorate ten years since Prince’s passing and celebrate the 30th anniversaries of Chaos & Disorder and Emancipation (1996), as well as the 20th anniversary of 3121 (2006).
The Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated, or connected with the “#CDE3121 Virtual Prince Symposium,” nor has it endorsed or sponsored the “#CDE3121 Virtual Prince Symposium.” Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to the producers, advertisers, or directors of “#CDE3121 Virtual Prince Symposium.”
As some of us are getting ready to head to Minneapolis for Celebration, Off Track, or both, and others are preparing to celebrate from wherever they are in the world, I want to take a moment to give thanks to every single #IWonderU40 speaker and attendee, whether virtual or in person.
On Friday, 336 people attended virtually in real-time. On Saturday and Sunday, approximately 100 people joined us in person and 720 tuned into the livestream with attendees representing the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Japan, and beyond. Prince truly brings the world together.
This was my eleventh symposium and sixteenth Prince event that I’ve curated.
While all of them have had their special moments, this one was different. Everybody brought their A-game.
“How many bodies? Everybody.” ~Cory Henry
Was it because we were honoring ten years since Prince’s passing? Or because we've been meeting for almost a decade and the scholarship levels up every year? Or was it because Under The Cherry Moon is deeply loved and cherished by those who know how truly special and miraculous the film is? Or because we know how singular Parade is in Prince’s catalog? Or perhaps it was all four.
If you weren't able to join us, the videos are waiting for you on YouTube and Vimeo, and they are all well worth your time. The presentations are particularly very thoughtful and thought-provoking.
I also want to express my deepest gratitude for my tiny, but mighty team: my graduate assistant, Phoebe Pang, who has now graduated from NYU, and whom I will miss deeply. Phoebe helped with populating the website and onsite registration; Julia Louise Olson for helping me with finances and so much more; the heroic Sam Jackson who always comes to the rescue with the detailed visual decor and ambience, student staff, and countless other actions of support; and last, but definitely not least, Krysta Battersby, my day one! Words fail to describe what a godsend you’ve been to me professionally and personally.
And MASSIVE THANKS to Rev3rend for the incredible symposium graphics! You truly outdid yourself this time, which is nearly impossible to fathom.
While the photos may not tell the whole story, as many attendees chose to sit along the sides or in the back, please know that the right people were in the room.
What the photos don’t capture is the energy, the thoughtful conversations, the genuine connections, and the shared love of Prince that filled the space and made #IWonderU40 such a wondrous experience.
More than a decade ago, I came across the Four Principles of Open Space Technology, a facilitation method developed in the 1980s by Harrison Owen, the creator of Open Space Technology, for conferences, meetings, and community gatherings. Since then, these principles have become my event mantra.
One principle, in particular, always sticks: “Whoever comes are the right people.”
#IWonderU40 reminded me why.
It was a small but deeply meaningful gathering. The people who were meant to be there were there. The conversations that needed to happen happened. The connections that were meant to be made were made.
Small rooms can be just as powerful as large ones. Sometimes they are even more powerful because they create the conditions for deeper conversation, greater intimacy, and genuine community.
As André 3000 said:
”Great things start in little rooms.”
A wink to Jack White, but also an ode to OutKast’s own origin story.
We definitely would not have been able to host this in person without the continued support of all of our sponsors. We are endlessly grateful.
On April 17–19, 2026, we gathered for three days to celebrate
Ten years since Prince left us, and
Forty years of Prince’s eighth album Parade and his second narrative film Under the Cherry Moon
370 Jay Lobby, 3rd Floor
In-Person attendees got commemorative #IWonderU40 coasters at the check-in table
in honor of Mrs. Wellington’s drink ;)
9–9:30am ET • Zoom Webinars & Events
Musician Adam Rudegeair opened the 3-day #IWonderU40 Hybrid Prince Symposium with performances of Prince’s “Strollin’” and “An Honest Man.”
Then, attendees responded to live poll questions, followed by an overview of the three-day program from symposium curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff.
9:30–11:30am ET • Zoom Webinars & Events
The following two videos are hosted on Vimeo because YouTube wouldn’t permit the audio and video content to be posted.
Moderated by Erica Thompson and featuring Adam Rudegeair, Edgar Kruize, Casci Ritchie, and Scott Woods
12–1:30pm ET • youtube.com/@polishedsolid
featuring roundtable panelists Chris Aguilar García, Lee Christian, Matt Thorne, Mauriciere de Govia, and Robert Loss, and moderator Eloy Lasanta AKA Prince’s Friend
2:30–4pm ET • youtube.com/@polishedsolid
Symposium curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff interviewed Brent Fischer, Grammy®-winning producer, composer, and arranger, and son and collaborator of the legendary Dr. Clare Fischer, who composed the orchestral arrangements for Parade.
4:30–6:30pm ET • youtube.com/@polishedsolid
Symposium curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff interviewed Laura LiPuma, the legendary art director behind the album covers for Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, Parade, Sign O’ The Times, Lovesexy, the Paisley Park logo, and more.
To cap off Day 1, some of us experienced 💥 L*A*W & The Planet 12 Movement at The Cutting Room in Manhattan for “The Love of Prince!” The sheer amount AND selection of songs was insane from “New Position” to “A Love Bizarre.” There was something for everyone! “I’m Yours,” “Damn U,” and “Sex Shooter,” were some of De Angela’s favorites.
9–9:30am ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
from symposium curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff
9:30–11:30am ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
12–1pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
A special in-person session with De Angela L. Duff and C Liegh McInnis. If you’re part of the #WDPDTW weekly book club & Saturday salon, you know. If you haven’t joined us before, know you do, too. Michael Dean didn’t join us in person this time around, and he was sorely missed.
We meet every Saturday at noon ET for What Did Prince Do This Week?, an interactive virtual book club and salon where we slowly read and discuss the full Prince Studio Sessions series by Duane Tudahl.
It’s more than a book club. It’s a Saturday salon inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, where Prince’s work becomes a jumping-off point for deep cultural, musical, and historical conversations.
📅 Full schedule and info:
https://bookclub.polishedsolid.com/schedule
2:30–4pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
Moderated by Miles Marshall Lewis and featuring roundtable panelists Anil Dash, Arthur Turnbull, De Angela L. Duff, Elliott H. Powell, and Zaheer Ali
De Angela was truly surprised by this touching tribute. Thank you so much to everyone involved in putting it together or contributing to it: D Simmons Jendayi, C Liegh and Monica McInnis, Krysta Battersby, Arthur Turnbull, Chris Bournea, Lee and Grace Christian, Kamilah Cummings, Michael Dean, Troy Gua, Edgar Kruize, Rhonda Nicole, Jason Orr, Twila Perry, Casey Rain, Andrew Scott, Chinisha Scott, Adam Reid Sexton, Ted Talks Bass, Matt Thorne, Duane Tudahl, and Crystal Wise.
It hasn’t quite been 10 years of Prince symposia. That milestone arrives in 2028 (#Lovesexy30BK). And it’s almost 10 years of Prince events, coming next year in 2027 (#SOTT30BK).
But it has been ten years of Prince scholarship. Ten years of studying, teaching, building community, and honoring his genius, beginning with the Prince and Prince-related episodes of the now-defunct Grown Folks Music podcast.
And it feels more than fitting that it all began with my very first Prince podcast, marking the 30th anniversary of Parade and Under the Cherry Moon, alongside Ivan Orr and my beloved Ricky Wyatt in March 2016.
Another GFM podcast that is relevant to this symposium is De Angela’s interview with Jerome Benton from from October 2017. A lot of the conversation is centered around Under The Cherry Moon.
I was deeply moved by these closing words from the one and only C Liegh McInnis:
Tribute to My Purple Southern Sister
To my Southern Sister—this tribute is For You and your love of Prince that has gathered all of us here today. And, even though you never had a Dirty Mind, you were always willing to “Party Up” in the center of “Uptown” as you were never afraid to cause some Controversy and be bold enough to run toward 1999 because you understood that a red revolution in a royal blue sky could only produce Purple Rain that allowed us to “D.M.S.R.” the pain away.
Your symposiums connected thousands Around the World in a Day in a virtual Parade of purple people because you understood that Prince was and remains a barometer for the Sign “O” the Times. Yet, your “Positivity” and “Joy in Repetition” enabled more of us to live Lovesexy while we searched for Graffiti Bridge that was “just around the corner.” Even if we took a short break to watch Batman, you continued to conduct us on our journey to find the Diamonds & Pearls of our Love Symbol that was embedded deep within each of us because “the only love there is is the love we make.” So, we take a moment to thank you for The Gold Experience that you have given us that has helped to Emancipate so many from the dry reality of those with no dreams into a “Holy River” of Exodus. Thus, today we Come to bring peace to the Chaos and Disorder as a “Bold Generation” waving the flag of the New Breed driven by the New Power Soul of this powerful generation. You are one of “The Most Beautiful Souls in the World,” and while I don’t have a Crystal Ball, “Eye No” for sure that all of your days will be Yellow Days because “cars like you don’t pass us every day.” Peace and B Wild!
4:30–6:30pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
Moderated by Greg Howard featuring Adam Reid Sexton, Zach Hoskins, and Zaheer Ali
6:30–7:00pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
Crystal Wise pictured in the lovely polka dot hat and black and white scarf won the audience poll for 1st place in the fashion contest and received an official #IWonderU40 event poster designed by the INCREDIBLE Rev3rend.
by its curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff
9:00–9:30am ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
Then, attendees responded to live poll questions, followed by an overview of the day three from symposium curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff.
9:30–11:00am ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
featuring Chris Bournea, Ed Miller, L*A*W, India Mallard, and moderated by Casey Rain
11:30am–1:30pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
Moderated by D Simmons Jendayi and featuring Melay Araya, Devin K. Parrish, Robin Shumays, Tammy Sharpe & Chris Rob
3:00–4:30pm ET · In Person • 370 Jay Street
Moderated by Emir Lewis featuring Chinisha Scott and Jason Orr
5:00–6:30pm ET · In Person • 370 Jay Street
The final panel of the symposium was a live commentary of Under The Cherry Moon by Arthur Turnbull, C Liegh McInnis, Emir Lewis, Jason Orr, and Kamilah Cummings followed by the symposium closing by its curator and organizer De Angela L. Duff
6:30–7:00pm ET • In Person • 370 Jay Street
However, Karon wasn’t present during the judging. Peep the heart-shaped purse!! Parade-era perfection incarnate.
Sun, April 19 · 7pm • Fritz
was hosted by Chinisha Scott, and the magnificent sounds were provided by DJ Monday Blue at Fritz, 737 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY.
There was no entry fee and featured Princely themed cocktails in a 1920s Berlin-styled room, the perfect cinematic backdrop for Under the Cherry Moon.
Some of us celebrated the tenth anniversary of Prince's passing at Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, ten years to the day of Prince no longer being with us on this physical plane.
This felt nothing short of sacred.
We danced the night away in Prince’s honor, moved by his music and the collective love in that room.
I’ve been going back and forth for weeks debating on whether I would include the following video and, if I did, how much of it to include.
I tend to keep personal things personal, more often than not. And, I prefer to keep my composure in check publicly.
But I found myself thinking about my grandparents.
When my grandfather first met my grandmother, he told her that he wasn’t a dancer, and he wasn’t looking for one. Before she left this earth in her mid 80s, one of the few regrets that my grandmother expressed was that she hadn’t danced.
So, I danced for Prince.
And I danced for my grandmother.
Of all the Prince (and Jesse Johnson?) songs that Questlove played that night (“The Dance Electric,” “A Love Bizarre,” Ta Mara and The Seen’s “Summertime Love,” and so many others), I caught the spirit, dancing to Apollonia 6’s “A Million Miles!”
So, after weeks of debating, I remembered the video, Sasquatch music festival 2009 - Guy starts dance party, and how much joy that one video has given me over the years. It always reminds me that it only takes one person’s enthusiasm and passion to spark movement and in the process ignite a movement.
So, I’m ultimately including this to remind everyone, what Zachary Hoskins and I already know, that everybody should be talking about the Apollonia 6 album.
Why?
Because at the end of the day, the Apollonia 6 album is a Prince album.
This is not an analogy.
It’s a fact.
I’m also including it to remind myself how powerful and necessary community and friendship are.
Massive thanks to the dancing stranger/hype man who was matching my energy in the circle and encouraging me, along with every single person in the the outer ring, to keep dancing; my triplets, Kamilah and Kabria Cummings, D Simmons Jendayi, Emir Lewis and his wife, and Dr. Mauri, for being there, and to Jesse Jenkins and Chris Rob specifically for also catching the spirit with me for this absolute scorcher.
Do not sleep on “A Million Miles.”
I’ll always remember this night because all of us were there together, brimming with joy, because of the gift that only Prince’s music and life continue to bring.
There’s a quote that says, “Dance like no one is watching!”
I must remember to “dance even when folks are watching” so I can continue to send my bat signals to Prince to let him and others know how much he and all of his work are truly loved beyond measure.
And, that’s exactly what I did. #Prince4Ever
This event was FREE. But if you’re able, please consider donating to DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice, a 501(c) nonprofit that empowers youth living in underserved communities to use technology and visual arts to advance social justice and become changemakers in their communities.
DIVAS currently serves New York City and South Minneapolis. Watch the trailer below and learn more at divasforsocialjustice.org.
This symposium was dedicated to Ricky Wyatt (1971–2025), De Angela’s dearest and oldest Prince friend!
The Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated, or connected with the “#IWonderU40 Hybrid Prince Symposium,” nor has it endorsed or sponsored the “#IWonderU40 Hybrid Prince Symposium.” Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to the producers, advertisers, or directors of “#IWonderU40 Hybrid Prince Symposium.”
#IWonderU40 is a polished solid production curated by De Angela L. Duff!
We Had Fun! Didn’t We?
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