Rufus Smith is an artist, teacher, and music historian whose passion for mentoring youth led him to teach hip hop courses at two Memphis high schools. Linda and Rufus have a conversation about his creative enterprise Hip Hop Express, which uses hip hop to bring mental health  awareness to the urban community. Smith is an ArtUp Fellow and won the Pitch Deck competition to have his startup incubated by the organization.

After experimenting with different styles and influences, Lawrence Matthews, came into his own creating visual art combining Post Modernist, Pop Art, and contemporary influences to tell the story of the African Descendant living in America. Linda will explore how Matthews credits being raised in a racially tense environment for the controversial topics that manifest themselves in his paintings, photography, sculpture, and audio-visual work.

In this episode, Artivism host Linda Steele gets to catch up with Lecolion Washington, the Executive Director at the Community Music School of Boston. Washington succeeded David Lapin, the Music Center’s Executive Director for a record-breaking 34 years. His advocacy for music as a means for social change moved him to co-found the PRIZM Ensemble, a Memphis-based organization that builds a diverse community through chamber music.

Paul Thomas, also known as the “Recycle King”, is an artist and designer based in Memphis, TN. As the Artist in Residence for ArtUp, the first space that Thomas helped to activate was a former liquor store that he transformed into what is now OMG: Orange Mound Gallery. Linda speaks to Paul about his commitment to cleaning up the environment and encouraging people to be creative with their resources.

Brittney Bullock returns for this episode of Artivism to share with Linda updates on her solo creative projects that continue to center the voices of marginalized people.

Internationally renowned artist Tobacco Brown talks to Artivism about her practice, which lies at the intersection of environmental and restorative justice. Tobacco walks Linda through her creative mission to use “art as a tool for blight remediation and therapeutic healing” across the globe.

Artivism joins Orange Mound historian and resident Mary Mitchell on an artistic journey through one of America’s oldest African-American neighborhoods. Linda and Mary talk community revitalization and art’s place in activating those efforts.

Linda hears from guests Brittney and Jamond Bullock, a talented couple making waves with their work in Memphis. Jamond speaks about growing up as an artist with a message and how it led to his current position as resident muralist at Alive Paint. Brittney reveals her own experience as a former ArtUp Fellow and multifaceted textile artist with a knack for projects centered around social activism.

Linda sits down for a conversation with Justin Merrick, CEO of JMUSE Productionz in Memphis, Tennessee. They discuss the power of music as a tool for social activism, as well as explore the ways in which lyrics can motivate people and drive change.