54Lights

Language and meaning dissected, this week's bite-sized conversation is a crude attempt to explore a "universal" lingua franca for the continent. Complex, controversial and even confusing are some terms that come to mind when we wade into the fray. 

You'll hear from our guest Dr. Josephine Dzahene-Quarshie , professor of linguistics in Ghana, who's devoted to this concept and construct. An interesting and different way of thinking given the widespread use and documentation of the language of Kiswahili. 

WHAT NEXT?

I invite all listeners to join us in this debate. Should or should we not try to march towards this concept...or is the proposed dream by Professor Dzahene-Quarshie a worthwhile topic. Contact us to voice your opinion.

FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time. 54Bites features our extended conversations with fans, foes and friends of the show.

Our guest, Jana Rae Yerxa, is one of our season's most inspirational guests. She's an activist, writer, poet, teacher and community leader. She not only embodies the spirit of the work we do but stands as a key model and shining light to learn from. 

From her insights on being a selfless, or selfish, activist to her guidance on how to protect oneself from the weight of deep work on racial justice, Jana-Rae exposed us to her world. As part of our deep discussion on racial justice, and her community work to uplift our Indigenous brothers and sisters, Jana-Rae also helped us better understand how better to apply language of support...converting us from allies to those that stand in solidarity. 

GUEST BIO - Jana-Rae Yerxa, M.S.W., M.A. is Anishinaabe from Couchiching, First Nation, in Treaty #3 Territory. She is an advocate, educator, writer, and poet whose work is grounded in Indigenous feminims and decolonial frameworks. Jana-Rae is faculty and curriculum developer at Seven Generations Education Insititute in Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin. 

MORE FROM OUR GUEST

• Read Jana-Rae Yerxa's Unravelling of a Colonized Mind https://lastrealindians.com/news/2013/1/30/jan-30-2013-the-unravelling-of-a-colonized-mind-by-jana-rae-yerxa  
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FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to elevating creative voices through authentically told stories. Our energy stands in solidarity with people across the globe. 

Our bite-sized conversations continue with superfan Natasha Soobramanie as our guest in studio. Taped on location, we spent some quick time reflecting on the work and import of the work of Calvert Jones. Our show focused on one central and perhaps contentious question - which work of art Calvert needs to tackle next???????

CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING

If you haven't already, listen to this episode of 54Lights to understand more about Calvert, his work and the conversation that inspired this bite

• https://embed.sounder.fm/play/421710
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• Enjoy Calvert's work here - https://tropicalrealism.com/ 
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CO-CONSPIRATOR COORDINATES

Natasha Soobramanie is an EDI and organizational development professional based in Toronto. Her expertise in these fields has been on full display throughout her career. Outside of the professional space, Natasha is a passionate fan of art, history and life.  

FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time. 54Bites features our extended conversations with fans, foes and friends of the show.  

Artist Calvert Jones is best known for his stunningly bright and provocative works of art. This past year, I sat down with Calvert to talk about his work, its deep meaning and the ways in which the work blows beyond the canvas. Calvert, a hyper realist painter, sort to make a profound impact when he returned to his native home of St. Vincent. The motivation moved him to channel his culture’s paradise into his work…designing pieces that reflect the reality of the spaces that he calls home. From his regular expressions (landscapes etc..) that capture island culture and Caribbean life to a line he's called the series. This series are recreations of famous paintings, reimagined in contemporary and multi-dimensional works that force viewers to think while watching.

Calvert Jones has had work commissioned by The British Royal family, corporations and countless individuals. He is no stranger to the spotlight and builds work that stands unparalleled in when viewed in the limelight. Historically relevant, presently poignant and ever-impactful, Calvert’s work inspires intriguing dialog that challenges tropes that ultimately invite people to educate themselves about history and the context through which we appreciate our constructed realities.

POST SCRIPT – Before, during or after listening, I’d recommend that you visit Calvert’s website to better appreciate his mind, mission and movements. Enjoy the African experience and find yourself in every play.

Calvert joined is via our virtual studio from his home in St. Vincent.

CO-CONSPIRATORS & COORDINATES

Thanks to;

• Find Calvert Jones’ work at https://tropicalrealism.com/
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• Music for our episode was composed by Roland Best at E-Rol Beats  
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FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to elevating creative voices through authentically told stories. We showcase Africa for the world, through uniquely inspiring narratives that will, hopefully, stir the soul and steer the conversation about the dark continent.

Our debut of 54Bites - our reflections on things said and unsaid from our previous episode. Today, we talk trailers...what's in, what's out and what there's to regret. 

In case you were wondering...we see the typo:-) 

CO-CONSPIRATOR COORDINATES

Patinece Adamu is an inspirational and remarkable broadcaster. She's an EP on several works including;

• The Drip podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1hMpKISToSxAhdslkOHS9z?si=47e0e55b53b94ce7
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• BBW: Big Beautiful and Winning - https://open.spotify.com/show/1GGabtQNX4bvjSxB86ho1k?si=44bef41968f04df6
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• Hyphenated podcast  
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FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome…complaints and hate, not so much)

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time.

The opening curtain rises again on 54Lights podcast. 

This season, one unlike we've ever had, will unfold in a slow and stead burn. We will light up Africa by meeting (at least) 54 guests (daughters, sons and stars) with roots in (at least) 54 countries so that they can give us (at least) 54 heartfelt stories from the great continent.  

We're telling these under told stories from Africa (from Africans), to all corners of the globe. And because each guest has a unique and flavour-filled tale to tell, we will tell these stories with care. So that they can shape and reshape and reframe the African narrative, one story at a time. 

POST SCRIPT - While we're going to try to march the map, and get a voice from one person with roots from each nation, we embrace the truth - that one voice cannot speak for a nation and, better yet, that a nation is an oversimplified construct. Culture is rich and textured and complicated. It is one voice and many voices all at once. It is calm through havoc, quiet through chaos and unity through plurality. And so we invite you to join us with open hearts, open minds and open ears. 

Enjoy the African experience and find yourself in every play.    

CO-CONSPIRATORS & COORDINATES

Thanks to;

•  the family at KIF Radio for helping us find so many musical geniuses
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• the surgical precision of Roland Best at E-Rol Beats for composing our theme 
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• the team of stand up supporters - Siphiwe Mwase, Ariana Bursato, Patience Adamu, Mohsen al Attar and many many more...  
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Find and follow 54Lights 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/

Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much) 

ABOUT 54Lights

54Lights is committed to elevating creative voices through authentically told stories. We showcase Africa for the world, through uniquely inspiring narratives that will, hopefully, stir the soul and steer the conversation about the dark continent.

We close Season III of 54Lights podcast with a short recap of the power of the season and an invitation to stay tuned for the next, and final, Season IV. 

The next episode is our final guest-led conversation for Season III. It features the formidable poet, author and activist Rheima Robinson. We were privileged to have Rheima join us in our virtual studios and walk us through her work, approach and motivation. 

Rheima walked us through her early forays into writing - drawing inspiration and guidance from her mother and grandmother. As women and newcomers to the UK, they both helped pave the way for Rheima to succeed. 

Rheima also spoke eloquently about her work and her perspectives on activism. From her talents as a spoken word artist to her creation of spaces for artists to thrive, she takes us behind the pen and into the mind and motivation of a great writer and activist. 

As we near the end of Season IV of 54Lights, we sat down with one of the best and brightest Creative Directors in North America. Matt Rennick, a friend and fantastic ally of the African community, joined us in our virtual studios to talk about his philanthropic campaign to raise money for three Nigerian organizations. Compelled to act during the EndSARS unrest in Nigeria, Matt channeled his love and admiration of Fela Kuti, his creativity and his bias for meaningful action to create an inspiring response to a brutal campaign. Ever concious of his privilege and place as an ally, Matt lights the way with an energy and approach that's to be modelled. 

Over the course of our conversation, Matt opened up about his past and what brought him to the creative space...an energy driven by what he calls a DIY ethos. From a young age, Matt has worked to build things from the ground up - finding his way in workplaces thanks to his raw talent and deep connections he cultivated along the way. As he gave us a brief walkthrough of his professional pathway it was clear that, despite all his success, he's as grounded as they come. His simple and unwavering perspective on the best part of his career was the impact of people - the teams he's led and worked side by side with.

Matt then took us through his creative process of designing shirts with song titles, lyrics and album names from musicians in the Congo and Nigeria. Many of the inspirational artists sang songs of protest and liberation for their people - with the focal point being Fela Kuti. In the wake of EndSARS and around the anniversary of Fela Kuti's birthday, Matt launched a line of shirts emblazoned with is work...an ode to Fela and a fundraising gateway. All proceeds from the shirt sales go to three organizations based in Nigeria that Matt researched and contacted.

Funds Raised from shirt sales go to;

Mirabel Centre - supporting women who are victim of sexual assault - https://mirabelcentre.org/

Kokun Foundation - supporting the needy and addressing food insecurity - https://www.instagram.com/kokunfoundation/

Serap Nigeria - NGO supporting human rights - https://serap-nigeria.org/

Buy shirts here - http://www.mattrennick.com/shop

For his efforts and his energy, we thank Matt...a true ally if there ever was one.

The Left Turn (Season3. Episode21..) is one of the most important in our season. It follows the work of guest musical composer for this show, Roland Best, while he takes us on a journey through his business venture. One that centers around a lifelong love of music. Through that, he’s built E-Rol Beats – a music downloading service that features original music that he’s composed and refined. His talents have been on full display on his recently launched website and on this show as his beats are featured sporadically throughout the year.

But what started off as a conversation about his compositions and the business, ended up turning sharply towards a deeply personal disclosure of life-changing events. While running and building E-Rol Beats, Roland was the recipient of a horrible act of anti-black racism. The act, which involved vandals defacing his car, had the effect of ignited a passion in Roland that he’s since channeled into a new direction at work. He went on to detail the work he’s doing, with others, within the government in western Canada. All with the intent to address, confront and combat anti-black racism and racism against the BIPOC community. He detailed how the work he is leading now is critical work that’s measurable and institutional. Work that spans across multiple branches of government and that’s led by a cross-section of intelligent, motivated and impressive people who are determined to change outcomes for equity seeking groups. In the end, the vandals who tried to do damage to Roland’s person, did little more than awaken his inner activist…Oops.

While E-Rol Beats still rolls along, the passionate work that Roland is pursuing now is shaping a new direction for him, his family and his community. From Source Code (the first episode we did with Roland months ago) to The Left Turn…