A Celebration of Sinners
hosted by the Institute for Black Intellectual & Cultural LifeThe Dartmouth Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life marks the anniversary of this groundbreaking film's release with Academy-Award nominated actress Wunmi Mosaku, blues music and dance performance.
Breaking the all-time record with its 16 Academy Award nominations, Ryan Coogler's Sinners is a film that speaks to both the historical legacy of racism and our current moment where Black artists struggle to be properly recognized and compensated for their work. Reflecting this central theme of the film, Coogler negotiated a landmark deal with Warner Brothers that ensures that in 25 years, ownership of the film will return to him. The horror elements and captivating soundtrack make for an entertaining film that requires repeated viewings in order to fully process all of the complex ideas and rich details contained within. The film ultimately took home four Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw) and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).
Actress Wunmi Mosaku, Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sinners, will join Professor Iyabo Kwayana and Professor Michael Boyce Gillespie in conversation about creating her layered, powerful character and what it's like working on a historically-grounded film with a unique genre blend.
This celebration also includes performances by Mississippi blues "The Steve L. Johnson Band" led by musician Steven Johnson—the grandson of Robert Johnson, who inspired the character of Preacher Boy Sammy in Ryan Coogler's film, as well as Eden Brooklyn Dance Theater.
This event is hosted by the Dartmouth Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life in collaboration with Hopkins Center Film, screening Sinners on April 17 in Spaulding.
Wunmi Mosaku has established herself as a formidable presence in both film and television. In 2026, she won a BAFTA award and earned an Oscar nomination for her role in Sinners, which broke the all-time record for Academy Award nominations. Mosaku has also starred in Marvel's Loki and Deadpool & Wolverine, the HBO series Lovecraft Country, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the television series Damilola, Our Loved Boy and Moses Jones. A Nigerian-British actress, she is the first Black British winner of the supporting actress category at the Bafta film awards.
Steven Johnson, the grandson of legendary blues icon Robert Johnson—known as the King of the Delta Blues and the Father of Modern Rock and Roll—continues to uphold his grandfather's rich legacy. He has made appearances on platforms like Netflix, participated in interviews with Sony Music, and featured on the History Channel, as well as in various magazines dedicated to celebrating Robert's heritage. Steven has performed internationally with bands from France, Canada and throughout the United States, showcasing several of the 29 songs penned by his grandfather. In 2023, Steven teamed up with his close friend and band manager, Donovan Scott, to establish The Steve L. Johnson Band. The band's primary mission is to preserve Robert Johnson's music while also covering hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and even contemporary songs. With a powerful voice reminiscent of a thunderous preacher, Steven breathes new life into Robert Johnson's music. Together with his band, they honor his grandfather's legacy, bringing RJ's timeless sound full circle through their shared heritage.
Eden Arts Inc, formerly known as "Ntrinsik Movement" is a NYC-based 501 c3 non-profit dance organization. Founded in July 2014, Eden Arts Inc houses two performance companies, a dance school, and a dance residency program. Eden Brooklyn Dance Theater, the first company, has performed in various theaters across NYC and other states within the United States. Eden Brooklyn Dance Theater has also produced several dance productions within NYC.
In 2018, Eden Arts Inc launched a pre-professional program/second company called IFE Youth Dance Theater. The purpose and mission of IFE Youth Dance Theater is to give young, gifted dancers access to intense technical training, professional performance experience and artistic development. In 2020, the company continued to expand and launched a dance school, Eden Center for the Performing Arts. Eden CPA is dedicated to providing high-quality instruction for all ages and levels of dance, ranging from age four to adult. Eden CPA creates a safe space for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect, fall in love with the art of dance, and create timeless, joyous experiences.
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