Chai Eye Conversations

[Originally released as CHI EYE] — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

We have a first on the show: a group conversation. Bartholomew the Photographer & the lovely Songiné agreed to speak with Jocelyn about their personal pursuits and time with Healthy Hood Chicago. According to Healthy Hood’s website it “is a community based, non-profit organization based in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.” Both Bart and Songine are active members within the Healthy Hood Chicago community. Songine is a creative, writer, screen printer, organizer, Peace Circle Keeper, book club leader, and inspiring voice. Bart is a creative, father, photographer, filmmaker, host, teacher, and superhero to Chicago. Today we talked about their love of Chicago, community contributions, lessons learned from leading, creative lives, and much more.

Follow: Healthy Hood Chi @healthyhoodchi

Songiné @songinec

Bart @chicity_monstar ~ @bartholomewthephotographa

[Originally released as CHI EYE — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]This is an encore episode of CHI EYE, because he celebrated his birthday with a very cool (and gate-kept) shendig a couple of months ago. He invited me to a joyous cookout with dozens of cool black people. Today’s guest is Jihad Kheperu who is a writer, filmmaker, rapper, artist, and in Chicago. In this episode we discuss what makes Chicago special, his upcoming book and the roots of “cool” in black cultures. Follow his Instagram page @howtobeacoolblackguy to keep up with his work. And to reiterate: this was originally recorded and uploaded during Black History Month of 2024. This is an encore posting. I hope you enjoy.

Zay Lewis is a Midwest born rapper/producer with deep NYC family roots. Chicago rap cyphers, his father's iPod, and learning the saxophone as a teen raised/rooted him in his own creativity that led him to pursue a career in art, performance, and producing as an adult. His soulful delivery and production style blend the two regions he calls home (Midwest & East Coast), and make for a style that draws from the past while sounding like the future. Zay has opened for the likes of A$AP Ferg, Buddy and Kelela. He prides himself on his ability to work a crowd an leave it all on the stage show after show after show. I am so grateful that he agreed to come on the podcast to talk about his upbringing, spiritual beliefs, and vast, creative catalogue although we only met in passing. Follow Zay @zaylewismusic on social media, and support his artistry near or far--throughout media forms.

This conversation was originally recorded before his "Fly on The Wall" single release and the full music project he mentioned is now out on music streaming platforms.

[Originally released as CHI EYE — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

Sejahari Saulter-Villegas is a poet, model, writer, film director, rapper, actor, and stylist. This promising renaissance artist proudly hails from Chicago and graduated from NYU Tisch. He recently completed his Masters in Race Media and Social Justice in the UK. He invited me to the art exhibition he’s currently working on. The Poetry Making Playground by Kuumba Lynx discussed in this episode took place April-May 2024. In this episode, we touched on multi-hyphenate burnout, major city life, creating for social change, Chicago’s revolutionary past and currents, and Sejahari’s experience with fatherhood and so far.

Follow him here: @sejah_ari on IG

[Originally released as CHI EYE] — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

Bólú Watife is an infinite creative with experience in fashion, film, dance, writing, creative direction, and overall fierceness. Her modeling career began in Illinois and even took her to NYFW and LAFW heights. She is a rising leader, designer, and organizer in Chicago’s creative community. From curating open mics to helping other creatives bring their visions to fruition, Bólú’s got the keys. Follow her Instagram pages: @bosthetics / @theeluprint / @_tifetalk_

[Originally released as CHI EYE — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

DeAngelo Davis is an actor, writer, director, and producer from the south suburbs of Chicago living in Los Angeles, CA. He has appeared in movies on HBO Max, Amazon Prime, some of your favorite game shows, and independent projects of his own.

You can keep up with him on Instagram @deangelodavis23 and reached out to the email he mentions on the episode for booking opportunities.

[Originally released as CHI EYE — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

Born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, IL, Regina Hoyles is a multi-faceted storyteller and performer. She is an award-winning filmmaker who got her start in the entertainment industry as early as nine years old.

She is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where she received her BFA in Drama and minored in the Business of Entertainment. Regina created NAPS, an original web series which screened at festivals such as NYU’s Fusion Film Festival and NYC Webfest . Regina wrote, produced, directed, and starred in her first short film entitled ADULLAM which premiered as an official selection in the 2020 Bentonville Film Festival and is now airing on REVOLT TV’s anthology series, “Short and Fresh”. Adullam was awarded Best Black Lens Film at the 2020 Sidewalk Film Festival as well as Best Narrative Film in the 2020 Argo’s Untold Stories Short Film Awards. She is the Founder/Producer of her boutique production company RLH Productions, which serves as an umbrella to her own work as well as a resource to other emerging artists particularly amplifying Black voices and all their complexities across genres. She produced the short film TENDER (dir. Felicia Pride) which received the Lionsgate/STARZ Producer Award at the 2020 Blackstar Film Festival. As an actor, she can be seen featured on shows such as THE MARVELOUS MS. MAISEL (Amazon), THE CHI (Showtime), ALL RISE (OWN) and 9-1-1: LONE STAR (FOX). She is currently a writer for a new animated Disney series.

Find Regina’s work here:

Website: www.reginahoyles.com

www.rlhprod.com

@rlhproductions and @reginahoyles

[Originally released as CHI EYE — now part of Chai Eye Conversations]

Chicago based artist, Christian JaLon agreed to talk with me about her new album, Unmixed Unmastered (Mine), where she explores worship, rest, responsibility, and empowerment. I was first introduced to Christian JaLon through the promo for this album. The music videos for “Ego Tripping.” and “Restoration" are already beautiful, but the lyrics full of wisdom and the Word blew me away.

They encapsulate what another psalmist articulates: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Christian JaLon is an artist who knows this well. So, speaking with her after such a soul-stirring release was a blessing. You can follow her online @ChristianJaLon

Royalty free music: gdsZsPKMiSlmUFyzNE0L

brief description of CHI EYE by the host: Jocelyn

@womanistwoo

Enjoy the chai! ☕️