Website Copy  (1).png

Chicago south-side native, Zakiya Fola Powell, began her music career at the age of 8 at Beasley Academic Center, as a Trombonist. During her childhood she had the opportunity to participate in some of the top music programs/organizations in the city. Such as, the South Shore Youth Jazz Ensemble, Ravinia Jazz Scholars, After School Matters - Jazz Harvest, The Merit School of Music and many others. Fola was also introduced to the Jazz Institute of Chicago, (JIC), and immediately started volunteering. While working voluntarily with JIC, Fola founded the Jazz Links Student Council. A student council made up of elementary/high school students.

From there she was granted opportunities to perform with some of the top influential artists on the jazz scene. That includes Von Freeman, Donald Harrison Jr., Willie Pickens, Charlie Haden, as well as others. During this time she also performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park Chicago, The Jazz Showcase and a list of others. 

As Fola continued to develop as a Jazz Trombonist, she attended Columbia College majoring in Jazz Studies. While attending school she was invited to join the JIC team as an Education Associate. In that position, she assisted young artists with improving their sound, further familiarizing themselves with the jazz tradition and acquiring performance opportunities. Fola contracted established musicians for workshops, performances and was able to program the Next Gen Jazz series at Chicago’s famous Drake Hotel. Fola also programmed the Jazz in the Parks Series in partnership with the Chicago Park District

After spending 8 years on the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Staff as an Education Associate, Fola decided to change careers. She relocated to New York in the fall of 2014 to take on a new position as a Booking Agent. She was able to work at one of New York’s top booking agencies, Musiq Haus Management. Zakiya had the opportunity of working with Gary Bartz, Herlin Riley, Bobby Watson and many others. Having the chance to work with different artists encouraged Fola to start her own company so in the spring of 2015, Fola Management was created.

Fola’s background as a musician is one of her biggest assets as an artist manager. She knows what it's like to compose, as well as what it's like to perform. Having that experiential knowledge can lead her artist in overcoming the business hurdles that many musicians encounter but aren't trained to deal with. 

Currently, Zakiya resides in Chicago. She is managing musicians that are a part of her roster along with consulting with top artists that are a part of the music scene. Those artists include J.P. Floyd, Joel Ross, Junius Paul, Pharez Whitted and many others. She has programmed  her own events on the Chicago Jazz scene as well as release the Fola Management education initiative. She is honored to be working with musicians and can't wait for you all to continue to experience Fola Management artist genius.