The members of SouLe and The SuperBand take the stage, voices and instruments ready to spread love and “the groove.”
SouLe and The SuperBand performed at the Elon Plaza on June 19, while simultaneously celebrating Juneteenth.
SouLe and The SuperBand was created by Le’Shawn “SouLe” Troy alongside his wife, Tyaisha “Black Diamond” Troy. The two of them are the band’s main vocalists and the group met in 2020 through a James Brown tribute. The band consists of nine members.
Since the band’s formation, it has grown tighter, developing strong bonds, long-lasting relationships, and a family dynamic that includes its fans.
“The fans, man, they are a lot of the fuel for what we do,” SouLe said.
Morgan Baker and her daughter said they were excited to come out to celebrate Juneteenth and listen to music on a beautiful day.
“We are thankful that Elon put this on,” Baker said. “We feel really lucky.”
She said that they had not seen this band before, but their family always comes out to the summer concerts.
“We’ve never met a band we didn’t like,” Baker said.
Audience members Jamilah McConnell and Wendy Scott said that they were looking forward to the concert. Scott saw SouLe and the Superband perform last year.
“I know last year they did a whole medley of James Brown songs, which were the party dance songs when I was growing up,” Scott said.
McConnell said she prefers jazz but also enjoys R&B.
“I’m glad they’re bringing that music back,” McConnell said.
John and Lisa Patterson said they go to concerts together whenever they can, and that they like whoever performs at the Elon Plaza.
“We’re not picky,” Lisa said.
They also said that they were enjoying the evening’s weather.
“It’s Friday night. There’s a breeze, the sun in the sky,” John said. “It’s a beautiful day.”
The Oak House coffee shop owner Phil Smith was also excited to come out and support the band.
“These guys are awesome,” Smith said. “They started playing here about three years ago, came back, it was phenomenal. And tonight, they are rocking it.”
Smith said that his favorite song the band played was a cover of “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner.
Meet SouLe
SouLe found his passion for music when his sister encouraged him to start singing in a children’s choir when he was 6 years old. SouLe said his inspirations included his mother, Sam Cooke, and The O’Jays, particularly the member Walter Williams.
SouLe was born with sickle cell disease, but he said he believes that he was made to be in the band. His ability to perform under various conditions is like a superpower, he said.
SouLe said that a couple of years ago he was hospitalized for several weeks, but the band stayed by his side.
“SouLe and the SuperBand means that whatever you’re going through, and whatever you have gone through, it can only get better,” SouLe said.
Meet Black Diamond
Black Diamond said she grew up in a family full of singers.
“My mom, my sister, my dad, everyone sang, and we grew up singing in the church,” Black Diamond said.
Some of her favorite singers are Paula Abdul and Whitney Houston.
“When I saw them perform, I just knew that I wanted to be a singer,” Black Diamond said.
Her audience provides a way to confirm that people are receiving the message the band is trying to put out.
“As I’m singing, I’m always giving positive feelings and hoping people feel the love that I’m singing,” Black Diamond said. “When I keep on seeing people dancing and laughing and coming to give me hugs, I’m like, they’re really receiving that.”
Black Diamond’s advice for young musicians is that they should focus more on their craft rather than just audience feedback.
“Just as long as you feel good with what you’re doing, and you’re doing your best, and you are doing enough,” Black Diamond said.
Meet Loz
Reuben “Loz” Ahukanna is the band’s trombone player, which he has been playing for 25 years. Loz said that he started with the band in 2019, and practice is very important to him.
“I try to play something every day,” Loz said, “We try to get together a few times a month, maybe roughly once a week, once every two weeks or so.”
Loz never gets tired of playing with the band and said it’s something he loves to do.
“You naturally feel fatigued, but I think that being with such a group of great people and making such great music,” Loz said. “It helps to keep us motivated, helps keep us energized.”
Meet Cal
Calvin Richardson, also known as Cal, is the youngest member of the SouLe and The SuperBand at 22. He recently graduated from UNC Greensboro.
Richardson has been playing the guitar for 10 years, and joined the band about a year ago.
One of Richardson’s favorite moments in the band is when they played at the Wilmington River Fest, the performance having – in his opinion – one of their best audiences.
“They had these fireworks that went off after we played,” Richardson said. “It was so cool.”
That performance was the same day he was asked to become a permanent member of the band.
“I hope that whoever’s seeing this is able to come to a show,” Richardson said. “This band is such a special band.”
Lua Agbaw
Lua Agbaw is a rising senior at Sallie B. Howard School in Wilson, North Carolina, where she has been a part of her school’s student government association, National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. She participates in many community-building and youth empowerment activities at the Triangle Bahá’í Institute. Lua is a member of her school’s high school choir, and she dances, draws and writes. Because of her interest in the arts, she plans to double major in music and strategic communications. She was drawn to communications through her love for learning about the world and telling stories. Some of Lua’s other interests include K-pop, fantasy books and superheroes.
Chloe Randall
Chloe Randall is a rising senior at Seaforth High School in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She has a heart for supporting the most vulnerable, especially individuals living with mental and physical disabilities, and is actively involved in Unified Club and Special Olympics. Chloe is the two-term president of her school’s Guitar Club and the co-founder of a student book club. She is an active member of the International Thespian Society, serving as stage manager and sound lead for school productions, and is also a member of both the National Honor Society and the English Honor Society. Her love of writing began at a young age, and her first published novel, “The Grumpy Platypus,” made its debut when Chloe was in fourth grade. Chloe also welcomes new students and visitors to her school as a Seaforth Student Ambassador. In her spare time, Chloe enjoys attending live concerts, reading, and spending time with friends and her cat, Yogurt.
Brynley Witkowski
Brynley Witkowski is a rising senior at New Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. A passionate advocate for individuals who are often marginalized, she has dedicated the past three years to volunteering with her community’s Teen Court program. Brynley has also participated in the 7th Congressional District Youth Leadership & Entrepreneurial Conference and is a member of the 2026 North Carolina Youth Legislative Assembly. Outside the classroom, Brynley works as a lifeguard and serves as a Girl Scout camp counselor, roles that reflect her strong sense of responsibility and leadership. She is actively involved in volleyball, competitive swimming, her church youth group and Girl Scout service projects. With a proven commitment to teamwork, service and personal growth, Brynley is eager to continue developing her passion for writing and research while making a meaningful impact in her community.