The urgency is real: over 40% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. At the same time, Black queer voices remain largely invisible in youth-centered media. This is more than a cultural gap—it’s a public health crisis.
Dez Harmony responds by transforming lived experience into powerful artistic expression.The series follows Desmond, a 17-year-old Black queer artist navigating the pressure to code-switch, suppress himself, and survive in spaces that weren’t built for him. What he feels doesn’t stay hidden—his emotions manifest as music that becomes physically visible, transforming internal struggle into an undeniable visual force.
Rooted in Contemporary Jazz and Soul traditions, Dez Harmony confronts the historical silencing of queer artists while reimagining music as a force for emotional truth and self-definition. This is not just representation—it’s a reclamation of voice, lineage, and presence.
Created by Matthew Alexander Boaten, whose performance background spans Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and produced by Matalex Media, LLC, the project ensures absolute authenticity in both its theatrical vision and musical lineage.
The Proof of Concept — $125,000 Goal
We are raising $125,000 to produce a high-impact Proof of Concept: a fully realized trailer or 10-minute pilot segment that brings Dez Harmony to life.
This phase will:
• Demonstrate our signature visual world, where music is seen as well as heard.
• Feature original Contemporary Jazz and Soul-based compositions by emerging LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists.
• Translate emotional struggle into striking visual storytelling that resonates with youth audiences.
• Position the project for full production through grants, partnerships, and institutional support.
Your support helps transform a story from script to screen—and ensures that the young people who need to see themselves reflected are no longer left out of the frame.
Dez Harmony envisions a world where LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth are not just represented, but fully seen, heard, and empowered.
Governance: DEZ HARMONY is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of DEZ HARMONY must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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