Advertise on podcast: Black Imagination

After checking in, Antoine and Kennita chat with director/dancer/choreographer Jade Charon. In this episode, Jade tells us about her background (4:10), her experience working during COVID (7:15), working on the dance film Champion Style with Ray Nitti (13:50), plus her thoughts on what Milwaukee can improve on and favorite MKE-based artists (20:00).

On this episode of Black Imagination, our hosts start off by checking in and Kennita shouting out her latest infatuation (1:00). We then welcome on our guest, writer Matthew Gutierrez. Matt and Antoine go down memory land (4:45), then the conversation goes into talks about talent (9:10), the script he wrote called “tiramisu” (10:50), insights from reading the book “notes along the way” (14:00), why he identifies himself as a creative writer (27:30), and his favorite MKE-based artists (30:40). Music: https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton)

On this episode of Black Imagination, our hosts Antoine and Kennita continue their conversation from the prior episode. They start off by talking about their workout regimens, our old snack drawers and diets (1:50), Photo Shoots (7:10), Support for Artists Workgroups (10:00), Neighborhood Partnerships Workgroup (12:30), the other Imagine MKE workgroups (17:30), the troubles of setting meetings as individuals and as parents (20:00), why Kennita doesn’t want kids (24:20), how the staff handles workgroup issues (26:45). Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom))

On this episode of Black Imagination, our hosts catch up after a month-plus hiatus. Antoine shares the symptoms that led up to his leave (2:20); the impact of working from home, sick, and Black (6:00); the dangers of pushing through changes in your body (9:25); discussing the two types of diabetes (14:08); what Antoine had to do to adjust to a new lifestyle (20:40); and hyping up the Imagine MKE team's health goals and Thirst Trap for the Arts (23:40). Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton - https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom)

This week, Antoine and Kennita welcome rapper 3XSimpson to the show to talk about his music-making beginnings with his twin brother, moving to Atlanta, and the growth he has experienced while navigating the music industry. Antoine, Kennita, and 3xSimpson discuss escaping Milwaukee weather (3:50), making music at Marshall High School as the MT Twins and solo projects (5:00), moving to Atlanta for new opportunities (9:15), discussing toxic behaviors with "King Toxic" (10:50), an upcoming album "Pain Lasts Forever" (16:00), what Milwaukee is missing for artists to be successful (17:40), and keeping in touch with Milwaukee rappers while shouting out their favorites (25:20). Music: https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton)

This week, Kennita and Antoine welcome two good friends and partners of Imagine MKE from Metcalfe Park Community Bridges - Executive Director Danell Cross and Deputy Director Melody McCurtis. Talking about how everyone is dealing with the winter weather (1:15), catching up on their week and how extroverts have struggled through the pandemic (5:00), advocating for the Metcalfe Park neighborhood to be at the table (9:00), how the residents of Metcalfe Park show up for each other (14:50), what “the work” and “safety” means and looks like to Melody and Danell (18:30), how programs in Black neighborhoods started by non-residents can be harmful and how Metcalfe Park handled the pandemic (30:00), reflecting on projects executed by Metcalfe Park Community Bridges in the past year (34:40), how Melody feels working with her mother (43:00), the importance of self-care (46:40), and their favorite Milwaukee artists (59:44). Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom))

On this episode of Black Imagination, we have DeMar Walker from Ko-Thi Dance Company. We talk about Kennita’s dance moves and DeMar’s role in the dance film "The Beckoning” (5:00); his journey with dance, Ko-Thi, and old Milwaukee events (12:30); what makes him committed to Milwaukee (22:30); his vision for dance in Milwaukee (30:40); cool projects for 2021 (37:20); and his favorite Milwaukee-based Artists (42:00). The artists DeMar shouts out are: Reynaldo Hernandez Rosy Ricks Destiny Fletcher Sonya Thompson Ferne Caulker Malkia Stampley Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom))

In the first episode of the new season, Antoine and Kennita interview Joanna Brooks from Embody Yoga. After talking about the start of 2021 and the riot on the Capital (4:30), they dive into Joanna’s journey to Embody Yoga (14:30), Embody’s role for Black women (18:15), finding the creativity in yoga (23:20), doing business during COVID-19 (27:25), sweating out edges (34:50), her interests outside of yoga (37:58), her favorite MKE Based Artists (42:40), and more. Music: https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton)

This week on Black Imagination, it's a Della Christmas Miracle! We saved one bonus episode of the TRUST BLACK WOMEN tour with Milwaukee artist Della Wells. Enjoy the many rich stories Della tells as we talk about how she got into art, the power of artists networking (25:32), believing your own hype, rejection and other advice (29:17), her love for collages (33:08), the rich history of Black arts in Milwaukee (38:45), the renaissance she seeing today (49:30), the intention of her art (51:45), and her favorite artists (54:15). Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom)

This week on Black Imagination, Kennita and Antoine look back on their first season of the podcast. (But don't check out for the season just yet! After this episode, they'll be back in two weeks with one more special guest in 2020.) Our co-hosts reflect on favorite conversations (3:45), lessons learned (7:39), the creation of the TRUST BLACK WOMEN TOUR (13:00), and the year 2020 (16:38). Antoine shares stories about his family and talks about his 2020 (17:25). Then they share how they are moving through this pandemic (38:30), what to expect from Black Imagination in 2021 (54:30), and what's next for our work at Imagine MKE (58:09). Music: https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton)

We continue our TRUST BLACK WOMEN Tour with Tyanna McLaurin from Marquette University and Milwaukee Film Festival’s Black Lens. Our conversation starts by checking in on each other after the officer that shot Breonna Taylor was not convicted (3:00). Then, Tyanna shares about her time living in Ghana (13:17), her work at Marquette and her philosophy on community work (27:30), the Milwaukee Film Festival's - Black Lens Program (32:52), how she tries to highlight Black leaders (42:05), advice for Black Filmmakers in Milwaukee (46:40), participating in African American Leadership Program (51:12), some of Tyanna's other hobbies and her favorite MKE-based artists (55:43). Music: Song of Freedom by Shonn Hinton - https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom

Four days before her tenure with the Milwaukee Health Department concluded, Antoine and Kennita spoke with Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik and her chief of staff Lilliann Paine. They reflect on her time in Milwaukee (9:00), Lovecraft country and pioneerism (22:51), her new national role in DC (25:20), and the power of the arts (29:37). Black Imagination names this next round of episodes "The Trust Black Women Tour," so sit back, listen, and enjoy hearing from powerful Black women! Intro/Outro music: “Song of Freedom” by Shonn Hinton https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom (https://soundcloud.com/shonnhinton/song-of-freedom)