Black Her Stories

Take a walk with me and Halima Afi Cassells through her garden. Listen as we chat about her artistic journey, sustainability practices, and the Black women in her life that inspire her.

An award-winning, interdisciplinary, community-engaged artist, and mother of three, Halima is an avid gardener whose roots are deeply woven into the soil of Detroit, Michigan.

Halima's deep connection to nature and how gardening has influenced her art practice resonated with me on a soul level and sparked new pathways in my brain; How can I reduce the harm being done to the planet? What habits do I need to shift to be in right relationship with nature?

An activist just as much as she is an artist, Halima demonstrates her commitment to environmental justice by using non-toxic materials, found objects, and advocating for a share economy. This discipline to reuse rather than consume is woven into Free Market of Detroit, a fashion exchange and upcycling swap lead by Halima, and her upcoming project at Eliza Howell Park, in collaboration with Sidewalk Detroit, which showcases her ability to transform trash into meaningful art.

• Halima Afi Cassels -

  • Website: https://www.halimacassells.com/

  • IG: halima_afi

  • Referenced Works

    • Swan Song

    • Eco-Art Residency

• Sidewalk Detroit

• Sydney James

• Shanna Merola

• Detroit References

  • Belle Isle

◉ Newsletter: https://blackherstories.substack.com/

◉ IG: @blackherstories

Tune in to hear an interview with Gwendolyn Wallace. Together we dive into nuances of navigating strong emotions, the insightful moment that motivated her to write the book, and how Wallace's early childhood experience informed the Light that She Feels Inside.

👀 Wanna see pictures of our in-person event at the Bronx Children's Museum? Take a peek at our Instagram to see the magic for yourself.

📖 To purchase a copy of the Light She Feels Inside from a Black-owned bookstore, stop by Bronx Bound Books. You can also purchase the book from the woman-owned publisher, Sourcebooks.

🍭 Interested in collaborating with Black Her Stories? Follow us on Instagram and slide into our DMs.

🎶 Listen to my BHS S3 playlist. There's no wrong way to listen, but shuffle is the most fun.

In this episode, we dip our baby toes into a conversation with Gwendolyn Wallace. Gwendolyn Wallace is a New York City-based researcher, storyteller, and children's literature author. Her work for both children and adults centers Afrodiasporic voices to explore the unfolding relationship between the spatial logics of colonialism and our body-minds.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The emotional complexity of Black Childhood

• Nina Simone

• The Light That She Feels Inside

Ways to get in touch with King Sophia:

• Website: https://kingsophiamusic.com/

• IG: kingsophiamusic

Ways to get in touch with Gwendolyn Wallace

• Website: https://www.gwendolynwallace.com/

• IG: g.m.wallace

Ways to get in touch with Black Her Stories

• https://nourish.community/contact

• IG: @blackherstories

In this episode, we explore the lessons of leadership Jahmad Canley. Jahmad is a husband, father, community member, and the president of Potential Unleashed, business coaching company specializing in providing solutions to companies, teams, and individuals of every description through improved performance and increased human effectiveness. Together, we elevate the impact of his Grandma, Betty Jo Davis, and discuss her unique expressions of leadership.

In this episode, we explore the possibilities of the Black imagination with architect Donna Carter. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Donna D. Carter is the President of Carter Design Associates, an architectural, planning, and restoration firm in Austin, Texas. Her practice is focused on projects that combine revitalization, historic preservation, and new construction within a community context.

A shaper of physical spaces, Donna and her firm have received numerous awards including the Texas Society of Architecture's Design Award and the Preservation Texas Award for the Restoration of the Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room, which is Fort Worth's largest and most extravagant example of Art Deco architecture.

As a civic leader, Donna has held many volunteer and board positions that keep her active in her community. From participating in numerous Austin planning and development task force committees to being a Fellow of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, Donna has dedicated her life to being of service.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Thinking creatively about spaces

• How to nourish a creative spirit

Resources:

• Donna Carter

• Carter Design Associates

• AIA Profiles - Donna Carter

• Places of Interest

• Austin Public Library Architecture

• Pruitt-Igoe Housing Project (VIDEO)

◉ Website: https://nourish.community/podcast

◉ Substack: https://blackherstories.substack.com/

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, we explore the possibilities of the Black imagination with architect Donna Carter. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Donna D. Carter is the President of Carter Design Associates, an architectural, planning, and restoration firm in Austin, Texas. Her practice is focused on projects that combine revitalization, historic preservation, and new construction within a community context.

A shaper of physical spaces, Donna and her firm have received numerous awards including the Texas Society of Architecture's Design Award and the Preservation Texas Award for the Restoration of the Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room, which is Fort Worth's largest and most extravagant example of Art Deco architecture.

As a civic leader, Donna has held many volunteer and board positions that keep her active in her community. From participating in numerous Austin planning and development task force committees to being a Fellow of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, Donna has dedicated her life to being of service.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Preservation Architecture in the context of the Black community

• Reimagining Black History and reclaiming the Black Imagination

Resources:

• Donna Carter

• Carter Design Associates

• AIA Profiles - Donna Carter

• Places of Interest

• Austin Public Library

• Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room

◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

Hello, and Happy Black History Month!

In this mini-episode, BHS creator and host, Michaela Ayers, invites you to cozy up on the couch for a friendly catch up. This year Black Her Stories celebrates her 5th birthday so now is the perfect time to reflect on where we've been and share what is coming next in season three.

◉ Substack: https://blackherstories.substack.com/

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Website: Nourish.community/podcast

In this episode, we stroll into a conversation with the artist formerly known as Michaela Ayers. With a BFA in Art History from the University of Kansas and a studio practice of collage, ceramics, and fiber arts, multi-disciplinary artist Mickey D is ready to be seen.

Facilitated by BHS co-producer Jassmine Parks, this interview dives into Mickey's early childhood curiosities and inspirations. We also chat about her creative routine and the distinction between her collage and ceramics practice.

Our special guest in this episode is someone who knows Michaela's creative impulses very well; her mom Virginia Ayers. Tune in to this family affair, y'all.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The inner child

• Mothers, Grandmothers

• Cultures of Hospitality

• Malcolm X

Resources:

• People of Interest

• • Malcolm X

◉ Newsletter: https://blackherstories.substack.com/

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Get in touch: [email protected]

In this episode, we're floating through the conversations that we've had in this season. Tune in to hear a compilation of conversations that stitch together some of our favorite moments and give you a hint at where Black Her Stories is going next.

In this episode, you hear from:

• Judy Bowman (judybowmanartist)

• Takeisha Jefferson (takeishaart)

• Sydney James (sydneygjames)

• Sabrina Nelson (sabrinanelson67)

• Yvette Rock (yvetterockdetroit)

◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]

In this episode, we're following the creative energy of the city and talking to Detroiters about the art and impact of Sydney James. Murals play an important role in Motor City and this year happened to be the next installment of BLKOUT Walls, the biannual mural festival co-founded by Sydney James. So we popped up at the closing Block Party to chat with community members and the artists who participated in the festival.

In this episode, we spoke to:

• Demien De Yonte (@deyonte6908)

• Khristyn Richardson (kris.goesrawr)

• Luis Bloom (@luis.bloom)

• Joe Cazino (@cashiesh)

Resources:

• Sydney James

• Websites:

• https://www.sydneygjames.com/

• https://www.blkoutwalls.com/

• FB: Sydney James Art

• IG: sydneygjames

◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast

◉ IG: @blackherstories

◉ Advertising Inquiries: [email protected]