Dr. Mark Lomax II

Dr. Mark Lomax II is a composer, drummer, educator and thought leader whose work sits at the crossroads of art, culture and social transformation. With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Lomax is widely recognized for harnessing the power of music and storytelling to spark meaningful dialogue around radical humanity, social justice and collective healing.

Dr. Lomax’s areas of expertise are as diverse as his creative output. He is a nationally respected voice on positive youth development, human-centered design, systems change and philanthropy, drawing on more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership to help organizations and communities reimagine what’s possible. As a speaker, Dr. Lomax brings a rare blend of artistic mastery and practical wisdom, opening minds to new ways of living, loving and leading from the inside out.

An accomplished composer and performer, Dr. Lomax is perhaps best known for his ambitious 12-album cycle, "400: An African Epic," which explores 400 years of the Black American experience through music and narrative. His compositions blend jazz, classical and African diasporic traditions to connect audiences with history, heritage and the ongoing struggle for justice. This artistic vision underpins his public speaking, where he uses performance and storytelling to invite radical empathy and transformative action.

He is the author of the books "The Politics of Humanity" and "5 Keys to Living, Loving, and Leading from the Inside Out," which distill his unique perspective on the essential role of radical humanity in personal and collective life.

Dr. Lomax’s impact as a speaker is far-reaching. He has been invited to share his message with audiences at leading corporations such as Bath & Body Works and DSW, as well as colleges, universities, seminaries and prisons across the United States and in Prague, Czech Republic. Whether speaking to executives, students or incarcerated individuals, Dr. Lomax has a gift for connecting across boundaries and inspiring people to reimagine their potential.

His thought leadership has been featured in a TEDx talk entitled "Activating the Transformative Power of Trust," and a Creative Mornings talk, "Rhythm: How to Optimize Our Groove," both of which highlight his ability to translate complex ideas into practical insights for personal and organizational transformation.

In addition to his work on stage and in the classroom, Dr. Lomax is the CEO of CFG Multimedia, a production company focused on creating multidisciplinary art and educational products that leverage art and culture to elevate the ideals of radical humanity and unity. In 2025, CFG Multimedia launched CFGTV, a streaming platform dedicated to leveraging art, culture and media to elevate consciousness and encourage viewers to embrace radical humanity. Through CFGTV, Dr. Lomax is building a global community of changemakers and creatives committed to making the world more just, compassionate and connected.

Dr. Lomax holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from The Ohio State University, and his work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including awards and commissions from Chamber Music America, the Mellon Foundation, The Johnstone Fund for New Music and the Ohio Arts Council, among others. His compositions and arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall and by orchestras and chamber ensembles in the United States and Europe.

With deep expertise, visionary leadership and a commitment to elevating the agency of others, Dr. Lomax offers audiences a powerful invitation: to live, lead and create with courage, compassion and radical humanity at the center.