There was no better person to launch this series than Dr. Robert Nelson. He is a musician, songwriter and educator. He has served as a music executive and executive director of the National Blues Museum. He is also a cultural advocate and community builder.
As Dr. Nelson prepares for several exciting projects—including his upcoming album The Other Side of Fear, the Coffee Concert & Conversation Series and the return of Jazz in the Sanctuary—he remains focused on one thing above all else: community.
A Native Son of St. Louis
When asked how he defines himself at this stage of his life and career, Nelson’s answer was surprisingly simple. “I’m a father. I’m a son. I’m a brother. I’m an uncle. I’m a person from the community.”
While many know him through his professional accomplishments, Nelson sees himself first as a product of St. Louis—a city that shaped him and continues to inspire his work.
“I’ve lived outside this region. I’ve traveled, I’ve learned from other places and brought those experiences back home–I’m simply a native son of St. Louis.”
That perspective influences how he views cultural creation.
For Nelson, culture is not the work of a single artist or institution. It is an ecosystem.
“The writer, the musician, the painter, the journalist, the graphic artist—we all have a role,” he explained. “A cultural creator understands how to work within that ecosystem, understands collaboration and understands how to build something larger than themselves.”
Why St. Louis Matters
When discussing the cultural landscape of St. Louis, Nelson’s enthusiasm is immediate. He sees the city not through the lens of a single moment, but through generations of creative evolution—from W.C. Handy and Josephine Baker to Scott Joplin, jazz innovators, contemporary artists and the next generation waiting in the wings.
“What excites me is that St. Louis has always been a place where artists thrive.” He points to the city’s rich musical history, its cultural institutions, festivals, venues and community spaces as evidence of a creative spirit that continues to endure.
Nelson is particularly encouraged by what he sees happening among Generation X. “People once thought 55 or 60 was the time to retire; now it’s a renaissance. People are stepping into leadership, opening new chapters, creating businesses and taking their rightful place as cultural leaders.”
Lessons from the National Blues Museum
Nelson’s tenure as Executive Director of the National Blues Museum represented one of the most significant chapters of his professional career.
Looking back, he says his greatest accomplishment wasn’t a program, exhibit, or event. It was the community.
“When I arrived, I spent my first days calling artists, community leaders, journalists, venues, supporters—anyone connected to the ecosystem. I wanted them to know they were welcome and that I wanted to collaborate.” The response was overwhelming.
“Whatever success we had belongs to the community.”
The experience also taught him valuable lessons about leadership. “Leadership is service,” Nelson said. “It’s not about titles. It’s about helping people rally around a vision and working together to fulfill a mission.”
However, he also encountered challenges that surprised him. Among them was discovering how many cultural organizations struggle with leadership alignment and board engagement. “I was surprised to learn that not everyone involved in cultural institutions is truly mission-driven,” he admitted. “If we’re preserving culture, everyone involved should care deeply about that mission.”
The Power of Collaboration
One theme emerged repeatedly throughout our conversation: collaboration. Nelson believes cultural institutions can no longer operate in isolation.
He intentionally built relationships with leaders from organizations such as the National Museum of African American Music, the American Jazz Museum, the B.B. King Museum, and the Blues Foundation.
“We cannot afford to operate in silos,” he said. “There is strength in relationships.” For Nelson, the future belongs to organizations willing to build bridges, share resources, and support one another.
The Challenge Facing St. Louis Artists
Despite St. Louis’ extraordinary talent, Nelson believes artists continue to face significant obstacles. “The arts generate billions of dollars for the state,” he said. “But too often, the artists themselves are not being fairly compensated.”
He worries about the creative talent the region loses to cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, and Los Angeles. “We develop talent here. Then many artists leave because they can build sustainable careers elsewhere.”
Another concern is the lack of recording infrastructure and opportunities being fully utilized by local artists. “We have incredible musicians, producers, engineers, and studios. But many artists aren’t recording enough. Recording helps preserve culture and expand careers beyond regional boundaries.”
Why Gathering Still Matters
In an increasingly digital world, Nelson remains passionate about face-to-face experiences. He worries that technology has reduced opportunities for authentic connection.
“We’ve become accustomed to communicating through screens,” he said. “But there is something powerful about gathering together.”
He fondly recalled the rent parties, basement parties, family gatherings and community celebrations that once defined so many neighborhoods. “There’s healing in shared spaces.”
Whether through music, conversation, food, or fellowship, gathering creates opportunities for people to experience joy, empathy and connection together.
Coffee, Conversation and Community
That belief is central to Nelson’s upcoming performance at the Coffee Concert & Conversation Series.
Held at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, the series, for the first time, is going to combine live music with thoughtful dialogue about culture, creativity and community. The addition of the conversation component was intentional.
“Too often we simply perform and move on,” Nelson explained. “I wanted to create space to celebrate Black Music Month, discuss culture, and help people understand the deeper purpose behind the work.”
The conversations provide audiences with a chance to learn more about the artists, their journeys, and the larger cultural significance of the music itself. “I want people to leave feeling that they gave something and received something.”
Jazz in the Sanctuary
Another project close to Nelson’s heart is Jazz in the Sanctuary.
The event combines live jazz, cultural conversation, community engagement, and sacred space in a way few experiences can.
“It’s real,” Nelson said. He describes the event as a bridge between culture, faith, history, and community. The setting itself carries symbolic significance.
“The Black church has always been more than a place of worship. It has been a center of culture, education, leadership, and community.”
Jazz in the Sanctuary continues that tradition by creating space for people from diverse backgrounds to gather, listen, learn, and connect.
The Other Side of Fear
As Nelson shifts more attention toward his own artistry, he acknowledges that the transition hasn’t been easy. For years, he focused on creating opportunities for others.
Now he is embracing opportunities for himself. His upcoming album, The Other Side of Fear, explores courage, vulnerability, growth, and transformation.
Produced alongside Ryan Marquez and producer Antonio Foster, the project invites listeners to examine the fears that hold them back and the possibilities that exist beyond them.
“It’s an introspective project,” Nelson explained. “A project about growth, courage, love, acceptance and finding your voice.”
Legacy
As our conversation came to a close, I asked Nelson what legacy he hopes to leave behind. His answer began not with his own accomplishments, but with the people who shaped him.
He spoke lovingly of his mother, Ozella Nelson and educator-poet Shirley LeFlore, who introduced him to public speaking, performance, etiquette and leadership as a young child.
“They poured into me.” Those early lessons created a foundation that would influence every chapter of his life.
Ultimately, Nelson hopes to be remembered as someone who learned from the best, remained committed to excellence and dedicated himself to creating opportunities for others.
“I’d like to be known as someone who did the work, listened, learned, and brought those lessons back home to help build community.”
Final Note
Throughout our conversation, one message remained constant. Culture is not something we simply consume. It is something we create–together.
And according to Dr. Robert Nelson, every person has a role to play. Whether you’re the artist, the audience member, the writer, the educator, the volunteer, the donor or the person who simply buys a ticket and shows up—your contribution matters.
Because culture isn’t built by one person. It’s built by a community.
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