Alie Jones is a writer, artist, and Creole mermaid. She is the author of Saltwater Moonshine, a poetry collection that honors her matrilineal Creole heritage through poetry, music, and reflections of love. Alie is passionate about centering our breath work as sacred and hopes to build a legacy of awareness and expression. She is the Director and Co-founder of Black Freighter Press, a revolutionary press committed to the exploration of liberation. Alie is the host of the podcast called Chit Chat with Aliecat, exploring self-care practices & journeys of self-love. She received her MPA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies as well as a MFA from Mills College in Creative Writing.

BAMBDFEST 2025 INTERNATIONAL is a multi-day, multi-venue festival in celebration of the Black Arts Movement Business District, Black Arts & Culture, and economics in Oakland, CA. 

Founded in February 2019, produced by the Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc. in collaboration with BAMBD CDC., BAMBDFEST 2025 INTERNATIONAL will be a hybrid international multi-media festival consisting of virtual and  public performances with a concentration in Theater, Film, and Literature.

The events will include local and guest performances, readings, a book fair, a publication, film screenings, panel discussions, intellectual exchanges, lectures, installations, local history teach-ins, family and youth activities that animate public spaces.

Highlighting the best of Oakland's vibrant artistry with robust offerings of free and paid events activating public spaces, arts venues, and increasing foot traffic for small businesses BAMBDFEST 2025 INTERNATIONAL will engage Oakland artist, the Black Arts Movement District, and diverse communities in an  international celebration of Oakland, and its rich contributions to the  internationally recognized Black Arts Movement, the State of California, and the world beyond.