What if philanthropy stopped deciding what communities need—and started listening to the people already doing the work?

In this special live episode of the Artivism Podcast, Iman Jordan sits down with Brenda Solòrzano, President and CEO of The California Endowment, from the We the People exhibition in South Los Angeles.

Brenda challenges traditional power dynamics in philanthropy and explores what it means to shift resources and decision-making back toward communities. Together, they discuss community-led change, young people’s role in movements, reclaiming the American story, and using technology for good.

They also explore the essential role artists play in building healthier communities—moving hearts, creating belonging, bringing joy, and helping us imagine new possibilities.

At a moment when so much feels like it’s being dismantled, Brenda asks us to consider another possibility: maybe this is a builder’s moment.

Creators & Guests

What if creativity isn’t something we manufacture—but something we learn to tune into?

In this episode of Artivism, I sit down with multidisciplinary artist, sound researcher, and immersive creator Aziza Lovefor a conversation about music, nature, spirituality, presence, and the artist’s role in helping us heal.

Aziza shares how growing up in Cincinnati shaped her through funk, soul, gospel, and Black spiritual traditions; how she transforms field recordings and the biofeedback of plants into music; and why she believes everything around us is singing—even when we’ve forgotten how to listen.

We also talk about overcoming the fear of being seen, showing up fully as an artist, finding home within yourself, and why joy, dancing, and collective presence can be revolutionary acts.

This is a conversation about remembering who you are, trusting your creative voice, and recognizing that we’re all part of one living orchestra.

Creators & Guests

What does it mean to grow up in one of the most influential activist households in American history?

In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Gina Belafonte—producer, activist, Executive Director of Sankofa.org, and daughter of the legendary Harry Belafonte—to explore the intersection of art, justice, and legacy.

Gina shares unforgettable stories of growing up around civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, Fannie Lou Hamer, Marlon Brando, and countless artists who gathered in her family's home to strategize for social change.

We also discuss:

• What Harry Belafonte taught her about leadership and courage
• The surprising origin of the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Grammy Award
• Why artists have a unique responsibility during times of division
• How Sankofa.org empowers artists to create meaningful impact
• The importance of facts, humility, joy, and community
• What gives her hope for the future

This episode is a powerful reminder that art doesn't just reflect the world—it can help transform it.

If you've ever wondered what role creativity plays in building a better future, this conversation is for you.

Creators & Guests

What happens after you win a Grammy?

For Ariel Loh and me, the award wasn't an ending—it became the beginning of a much bigger mission.

In this episode of Artivism, we explore how a chance encounter at a queer music gathering led to our Grammy-winning collaboration on Deliver, and how that experience transformed the way we think about art, identity, community, and purpose.

Ariel shares her journey through transition, founding the Trans Music Archive, preserving LGBTQ+ musical history, and creating spaces where artists can truly belong.

If you've ever felt alone as a creative or wondered how your work can make a lasting impact, this conversation is for you.

Topics include:

• Winning the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Grammy
• Creativity and community
• Building the Trans Music Archive
• Life after major success
• Music as activism
• Preserving culture through art
• Identity and authenticity
• The future of independent artists

Subscribe for more conversations exploring the intersection of creativity, healing, spirituality, and social impact.

Creators & Guests

In this episode of Artivism, I sit down with singer-songwriter India Shawn for an honest conversation about what it means to evolve—not just as an artist, but as a human being.

We talk about growing up singing in church, unexpectedly finding her path into music, navigating the highs and lows of the music industry, and why protecting your peace has become non-negotiable. India opens up about spirituality, community, meditation, boundaries, creative collaboration, and learning that not every song has to carry an obvious message to change someone's life.

We also dive into social media burnout, the pressure to constantly create, why artists don't owe the algorithm everything, and how surrendering to your own creative process can become one of your greatest strengths.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, this conversation is a reminder that your greatest work comes from becoming more of yourself—not less.

In this episode we discuss:

• Growing up in church and discovering music
• Becoming a songwriter before becoming an artist
• Surviving the music industry without losing yourself
• Meditation, wellness and community
• The spiritual side of creativity
• Why "conscious art" isn't always obvious
• Collaboration and creative chemistry
• Social media, algorithms and protecting your peace
• Why artists need boundaries
• The story behind Subject to Change

Creators & Guests

Model, musician, DJ, and creative force Shaun Ross joins Artivism for a powerful conversation about identity, authenticity, and what it takes to remain true to yourself in a world that constantly pressures us to conform.
Growing up as a Black queer kid with albinism in the Bronx, Shaun learned early what it meant to be different. Rather than shrinking himself to fit other people's expectations, he chose to embrace the very qualities that made him stand out. That decision would eventually help him break barriers in fashion, build a global career, and evolve into a multidisciplinary artist on his own terms.

We discuss the realities of visibility, navigating industries built on approval, surviving criticism and rejection, recovering from long COVID, healing after heartbreak, and the ongoing journey of becoming more fully yourself.
At its core, this conversation is about self-acceptance, resilience, and the radical act of refusing to assimilate.

If you've ever felt different, misunderstood, or pressured to become someone else to succeed, this episode is for you.

Creators & Guests

Grammy-winning artist and ArtWell founder Iman Jordan sits down with acclaimed poet, musician, and activist Aja Monet for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, consciousness, community, and the role of art in a rapidly changing world.

Together, they explore the tension between rhythm and algorithms, the impact of social media on our collective psyche, surrealism as a tool for imagining new realities, and why artists must remain connected to their inner lives in order to create meaningful work. Aja shares insights from her latest music, her collaborative process, her spiritual practices, and the importance of mentorship, gratitude, and collective liberation.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, trust your intuition, and remember that creativity is more than content—it's a pathway to transformation.

Creators & Guests

In this deeply soulful conversation, Devin Tracy joins Artivism to unpack the spiritual side of creativity, trusting divine timing, and the emotional realities of being an artist in today’s world. From growing up singing gospel in Jacksonville, to creating globally loved records through intuition and alignment, Devin opens up about the lessons that shaped him — including isolation, perfectionism, patience, anxiety, social media, meditation, and learning how to truly sit with himself. 

Together, we explore:

• The connection between creativity and spirituality
• Why artists struggle with overthinking and perfectionism
• The importance of pauses, rest, and silence
• Weed, anxiety, and reconnecting with your intuition
• Trusting timing instead of forcing outcomes
• Balancing survival with devotion to your art
• Why honesty is the foundation of powerful music

This episode is a reminder that artistry isn’t just about output — it’s about alignment, healing, honesty, and becoming who you’re meant to be.

Creators & Guests

On this episode of Artivism, we sit down with Figgy Baby — an internationally touring artist redefining what it means to exist in hip hop.

From freestyling in college cyphers to commanding festival stages, Figgy’s journey is anything but linear. We dive into the realities of building a career from the margins, navigating identity in a genre that hasn’t always made space for it, and the courage it takes to create without asking permission.

This conversation explores:

• What it means to be a non-binary artist in hip hop
• The difference between followers and real community
• Mental health, burnout, and staying grounded as an artist
• Social media, algorithms, and the illusion of success
• Why vulnerability is a form of power
• The responsibility of artists in times of cultural and political tension

Figgy shares raw insights on self-expression, resilience, and the quiet confidence it takes to show up fully—even when the world doesn’t always understand.

This episode is about identity, truth, and the long game of building something real.

Because sometimes… it only takes one person watching to change everything.

Creators & Guests

Today’s guest is Gavin Turek—an artist whose presence doesn’t just fill a room, it lifts it. Her performances feel like a full-bodied transmission of joy—rooted in movement, discipline, and emotional truth. 

But behind that energy is something deeper.

In this conversation, we explore what it means to stay open as an artist—especially in seasons that feel heavy.

Gavin shares her journey through discipline, doubt, growth, and transformation—from early roots in music and dance to navigating an industry that constantly shifts its definition of success. We talk about the emotional weight of metrics, the reality of creative cycles, and the courage it takes to keep showing up without losing yourself.

This episode is about embodiment.
About joy as a practice—not just a feeling.
And about learning how to keep dancing… even when life gets heavy.

Creators & Guests