Genius Black

Genius Black also known as Jerry Edwards is a musical artist, photographer, and social innovator based in South Portland, Maine. Naturally a storyteller and motivator, he focuses on collaboration and Audio/ Video production as a craft. 

Genius represents a collaborative network and collective of musical talent, GEM CITY, driving the intersection of art, culture, and quality of place unique to Maine’s coast. 

During his Residency, Genius is conducting creative photography sessions and completing GEM CITY 2, an album that will release imminently. The 1st GEM CITY album. Genius and a combination of 15 collaborators will link up during the residency for beat making, songwriting, demo song recording, photograph making, digital art creation, and group project planning. They will also be filming content for Genius’ “Maine’s Black Future” podcast, a recognition of Maine’s unique Black history and celebration of Maine’s BIPOC changemakers. 

Genius is the Stage Cannabis December artist of the month and recently honed GEM CITY as an LLC, through the competitive IGNITE Arts Business Incubator offered by Engine, Biddeford.

He graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Africana Studies, and an English minor.

Genius is a leader in TheThirdPlace BIPOC Media and Communications Group, and a proud Board Member of Portland Media Center. 

Genius’s Residency is powered by SPACE, ENGINE, STAGE Cannabis, Independent Audio, Prism Analog, and WJZP.