By Bill Cleveland
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How do you describe a Laurie Meadoff? Start off with a big heart, add a piercing intellect, an insatiable curiosity, and a gargantuan exploding fireworks extravaganza of an imagination. Then add that she's a can't-sit-still, serial do-gooder problem solver who translates the word "NO" in any language, as the starting gun for the next story in the million chapter book she's been living, entitled There's no Such Thing as an Impossible Dream!
In this episode of 'Change the Story, Change the World,' host Bill Cleveland introduces Laurie Meadoff, a transformative entrepreneurial force in community arts, youth development, and social change. Laurie reflects on her life's work, including founding the internationally recognized CityKids Foundation, producing Emmy-nominated series, and engaging in art-based change initiatives across the globe. The conversation explores her unique approach to social justice, cultural democracy, and health equity through creative endeavors. Meadoff shares stories of impactful moments, like connecting youth worldwide and encouraging new generations to channel their creativity for activism, ultimately underlining the importance of listening, community empowerment, and sustained social impact.
00:00 Meet Laurie Meadoff: A Force of Nature
03:59 Laurie's Journey and Impact
06:16 Community Empowerment and Creativity
08:42 The Power of Listening and Adaptability
09:55 Art and Social Justice
11:00 Personal Reflections and Global Impact
18:25 Lean on Me: A Musical Interlude
22:05 Chat the Planet: Bridging Global Youth
28:53 Keith Haring's Legacy and City Kids
30:11 Artivism in Chicago
31:44 Take Back the Mic Africa
35:16 The Role of Artists in Society
39:06 Innovations in Health and Artivism
41:02 The Power of Observation and Witness
42:15 What You Going to Do About Hate?
48:52 Reflections and Future Aspirations
51:41 Closing Remarks and Resources
BIOLaurie Meadoff is a leader, an innovator, and a change maker. Through artistic and expert use of her wide array of talents, Laurie has been able to make monumental strides toward a more tolerant and compassionate world through her media and community engagement strategies. Internationally acclaimed for her more than forty-five years of work and accomplishments, Laurie Inc. & Team's current clients list include:
Take Back The Media /Amp.it, a digital media platform that helps content owners know ‘Who's Watching and Why’. Creator of double Emmy nominated "Take Back the Mic: Africa”. We are now building a state of the art film and television studio in Africa.
Geoversity, Nature’s University in Panama, focusing on biocultural and indigenous leadership and environmental action.
The UN Global Mental Health Task Force, alongside The CityKids Foundation, Deepak Chopra’s Chopra Foundation and Social Architects. We are committed to a world where mental health is universally recognized as a fundamental human right.
Bodimetrics - the newest technology, addressing healthcare inequities by offering continuous blood oxygen and pressure with FDA-cleared medical devices.
Rozana Health Diplomacy, an international organization promoting access to quality healthcare in Palestine and Israel, through joint initiatives between communities in conflict.
Laurie is committed to moving disruptive groundbreaking companies forward while networking with her social impact investors.
Laurie has always had her pulse on youth culture. Laurie launched Authentik Inc. with partners Tony Krantz, Derrick Ashong and Siobhan Kavanagh. Authentik Inc is an innovation firm based out of NY and LA. Authentik Inc helps top brands stay culturally and socially relevant for the next generation. The team of world-class producers, change agents and millennials work with businesses to revolutionize meaning, message and impact.
Authentik Inc has worked with various prominent C-suite clients including Sea World and Pepsi leading the direction for complete brand transformations. Laurie leads business development along with her group of global Authentikators. Most recently Laurie was a Co- Executive Producer for Earth’s Call at the Aspen Institute and Our Planet Our Future, a global call to action to people of all ages, faiths and cultures worldwide, to move the world together on climate change.
Laurie was Executive Producer and content developer and producer of a 13 part PBS series called Feel Grand with Jane Seymour focusing on health and well-being. She also produced a web series with Deepak Chopra called Timeless You.
Additionally, Laurie was nominated for an Emmy in 2016 as an Executive Producer for The World Cup of Hip Hop, a groundbreaking online global music competition which was nominated in the ‘Original Interactive Programming’ category.
Laurie served as CEO of Cancer Schmancer, a groundbreaking women’s Health Advocacy organization founded by actress Fran Drescher. Laurie’s innovative work on behalf of women included the creation of Trash Cancer home parties produced by Humana focused on prevention, which reached over 28,000 people. Laurie also worked with her team to create Fran Vans, which screened women in need in both NYC and LA.
Laurie consulted for The Goldie Hawn Foundation with strategic planning for the launch of their social emotional learning program, MindUP. There, Laurie assembled the organization’s board, designed the marketing strategy, and co-produced a major fundraiser in New York City that resulted in palpable success for the Foundation.
As CEO of Chat Ventures, she executive produced programming for Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, ABC, HBO Family, MTV and VH1 and a host of international broadcasters. In addition to overseeing creative and strategic vision for the company, Laurie then formulated Chat the Planet, a global dialogue initiative committed to using media and online dialogue tools as a means of breaking down barriers reaching 350 million homes worldwide. As a part of this endeavor, Laurie co-created and executive produced the Webby award-winning series Hometown Baghdad, which reached three million web viewers in the first week and aired on The Sundance Channel and National Geographic International in long form. With experience filming in South Africa, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Australia, and Jordan, Laurie’s ability to imaginatively and insightfully capture a diverse range of subjects is exemplified. Laurie has spoken globally and was a part of Cultural Diplomacy panels’ for the Brookings Institute in Doha for three years along with speaking in engagements in Hong Kong and India.
Consulting for the Dalai Lama’s Connection for Change event, Laurie developed and produced Dinner Dialogues as a grass roots engagement tool for people to host salons targeted on the theme of wellness. She also helped produce major events for Deepak Chopra’s Alliance for the New Humanity for several years bringing the world’s top leaders together for shared dialogue.
Laurie is the Founder and President Emeritus of The CityKids Foundation. Founded in 1985, The CityKids Foundation has worked to engage and motivate young people from diverse demographics to positively impact their lives, their communities and the world using their voices. Success came naturally to Laurie in her role here, as she organized and executed annual fundraising events with sponsorship from mammoth corporations including Pepsi, MasterCard, and Burger King and the presence of well-known personalities such as Demi Moore, Michael Bolton, Robert De Niro, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Haring to enhance publicity. As a byproduct of the foundation’s achievements, which included a nationally touring repertory of the members, Laurie co-created and executive produced with the Jim Henson Company, the Emmy-Nominated series featured on ABC, CityKids. As a result of Laurie’s vision, drive, and excellence in communication, her community and youth outreach initiatives through media and performance have endured and the relationships cultivated persist today.
Laurie’s many awards and other distinctions include:
Emmy Nomination for ‘The World Cup of Hip Hop’, 2016
2 Emmy nominations for ABC series, “CityKids”
Board of Governors, We are Family Foundation 2016
Dr. Joyce Yerwood “Lifetime-Maker” Award, 2012
Richard Manware Humanitarian Award, 2008
3 Webbys for Hometown Baghdad, 2008
Brookings Institute Cultural Diplomacy 2007, 2008
1 Gold Promax, History in the Making, 2004
2 Silver Promax, History in the Making, 2004
Aegis Award of Excellence, Bridge to Baghdad II, 2003
Rockefeller Fellowship: Next Generation Leadership - Year long fellowship studying issues of globalization, racism, media, immigration and democracy, 1998.
Guest commentator on NPR, CNN, The Oprah Show, LA Times, NY Times, BBC, Today Show, Good Morning America, Video Podcasts, Deepak Chopra, Sirius Radio, and a host of international broadcast programming.
Laurie received her Bachelor of Arts in Education and Art History and her Masters in Educational Theater from New York University.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Banerji: In this episode of 'Change the Story, Change the World,' Bill Cleveland explores the inspiring journey of Dr. Subhasis Banerji, a bioengineer from Singapore. Dr. Banerji shares how he utilized the interplay between art, science, and the human mind to help brain-injured and stroke patients recover.
After suffering severe injuries himself, Dr. Banerji’s personal tale of recovery through a combination of physical therapy, yoga, and martial arts led him to develop SynPhne—a groundbreaking therapeutic device integrating real-time brain and muscle feedback for accelerated healing. The discussion also parallels the transformative power of creative practices in prison arts programs, highlighting the human capacity for self-recovery and growth. This episode sheds light on the significant overlap between artistic creativity and medical innovation, offering profound insights into the potential of the mind-body connection.
00:00 Introduction to Change the Story, Change the World
00:46 Meeting Dr. Banerji
02:36 From Ignorance to Wisdom
04:54 The Journey of Self-Healing
08:31 Creating Synphne
11:02 A Moment to Remember
19:30 Common Ground
24:51 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements
BIODr. Subhasis Banerji: Founder, Inventor Director of SynPhNe. Subhasis has over 20 years of experience in developing cutting-edge technology, 5 years of practicing therapy and
10 years in clinical research. His diverse background led him to invent and commercialize the world's first fully wearable and connected brain plasticity training tool that trains Brain and Body as parts of ONE system. SynPhNe™ is the outcome of his PhD (Biomechatronics) study. He is involved in research in biomechanics, neuroplasticity, movement analysis, learning mechanisms and ageing. He has been a yoga and martial arts practitioner for the past 25 years.
Notable MentionsAfter four years of study, collaborative research, prototype building and testing Dr. Banerji and his partners at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University ultimately produced the therapy that he described to me when we met in Washington D.C.Thanks to Dr. Banerji for sharing his story and for the whole Synphne team for their incredible work.
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This is the second episode of a two part show we are rebroadcasting called BIGhART, BIGsTORY which tell the saga of a creative synergistic Australian force of nature called, of course BIGhART.
BIGhART is Australia's leading arts and social change organization.
We make art, we build communities, we drive change.
30 years in operation, 62 communities engaged, 47 awards won, 550 artists contributed, 9, 500 people participated, 2. 6 million audience members.
BIOScott Rankin co-founded Big hART with friend John Bakes in 1992. As CEO and Creative Director, Scott leads the overarching vision for all Big hART projects – from pilot through to legacy. A leader and teacher in the field of social and cultural innovation, Scott provides daily mentorship and knowledge transfer to all Big hART staff so that they can in turn lead our projects with confidence.
An award winning writer and director in his own right, Scott’s works have been included many times in major arts festivals. His reputation is built on a quarter of a century of work, creating, funding and directing large-scale projects in diverse communities with high needs, in isolated settings.
Big hART is Scott’s passionate contribution to the arts and society.
Notable Mentions:BIGhART:
Ngapartji Ngapartji: Big hART designed the Ngapartji Ngapartji project to raise awareness of Indigenous language loss, and the lack of an national Indigenous languages policy.
Tasmania is an island state of Australia.[15] It is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Strait, with the archipelago containing the southernmost point of the country.
Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian[4] ballet dancer and choreographer of Polish ancestry.[5] He is regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century.[3]
Albert Namatjira: 28 July 1902 – 8 August 1959) was an Arrernte painter from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, widely considered one of the most notable Australian artists.
Namatjira Project: Namatjira Project began as a collaboration with members of the Namatjira family and the Hermannsburg community in Central Australia in 2009.The long-term project has centered around an award-winning theatre performance, Namatjira, seen by 50,000 people, telling the story of Albert Namatjira, with his family on stage.
Skate of Mind is a grassroots, national touring collective of skaters, filmmakers, photographers, and artists. We run community engagement events, workshops, music, art, digital art, projection, and soundscape design in regional communities.
SKATE is a groundbreaking new work in development fusing the art of skateboarding with percussion and projection. A breathtaking sensory experience for all the family, SKATE sees a cast of talented male and female skateboarders perform jaw-dropping feats and create infectious rhythms with their skateboards.
Element Skateboards
Winnie the Pooh: Winnie-the-Pooh (also known as Edward Bear, Pooh Bear or simply Pooh) is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard.
Ngangkari (a traditional aboriginal healer)
The Acoustic Life of Sheds: Acoustic Life of Sheds invites leading composers, musicians and artists to celebrate these architectural embodiments of rural, industrial or maritime culture as memory sound- shells by reimagining them for audiences in the landscape or on the foreshore.
Project O: Project O is a prevention initiative driving change for young women in rural, regional and high needs communities.
Acknowledgements:Music
Studio (Ernabella School Hall) recording of music from the stage show 'Ngapartji Ngapartji'. 1 Ngayunya Wantiriyalku I Shall Be Released
Performed by Makinti Minutjukur, Unurupa Kulyuru, Rhoda Tjitayi, Renita Stanley, Andrew MacGregor, Sara Luither, Beth Sometimes, Steve Fraser. Written by Bob Dylan - Translated by Lorna Wilson, Tom Holder, Dora (Amanyi) Haggie, Rhoda Tjitayi, Unurupa Kulyuru, Beth Sometimes. Recorded by Steve Fraser.
Dream-Shifting - by Steven F Allen
https://freesound.org/people/audiomirage/
https://soundclick.com/AuDioChosisStevenFAllenAuDioMiRage
When I describe BIGhART to folks in the US they accuse me of making it up. In this episode re-broadcast Scott Rankin, BIGhART’s founder, describes how this expansive, constantly morphing, multi-disciplinary, thirty-year long enterprise became one of the world's leading arts and social change organizations.
This is first of two episodes featuring Scott. You can listen to Chapter 2 HERE
BIOScott co-founded Big hART with friend John Bakes in 1992. As CEO and Creative Director, Scott leads the overarching vision for all Big hART projects – from pilot through to legacy. A leader and teacher in the field of social and cultural innovation, Scott provides daily mentorship and knowledge transfer to all Big hART staff so that they can in turn lead our projects with confidence.
An award winning writer and director in his own right, Scott’s works have been included many times in major arts festivals. His reputation is built on a quarter of a century of work, creating, funding and directing large-scale projects in diverse communities with high needs, in isolated settings.
Big hART is Scott’s passionate contribution to the arts and society.
Notable MentionsBIGhART: Authentic, high-quality art made with communities.
Big hART brings virtuosic artists into communities to collaborate and create authentic stories which illuminate local injustice. We present these stories to mainstream audiences to help raise awareness. This builds public support for change and helps to protect vulnerable people.
Everyone, everywhere has the right to thrive.
Big hART works with communities experiencing high levels of need. Rather than focusing on the problem, our unique non-welfare projects build on community assets, strengthening vulnerable individuals, and creating long term attitudinal shifts. Our hope is for all communities to flourish.
Positive, generational change begins as a cultural shift.
Big hART designs and delivers transformative projects to address complex social issues. Our cultural approaches are evaluated and acknowledged as best practice. Decision makers seeking better solutions can use our award winning projects to help develop new and better policy. We aim to drive generational change.
Ngapartji Ngapartji: Big hART designed the Ngapartji Ngapartji project to raise awareness of Indigenous language loss, and the lack of an national Indigenous languages policy. In order to create visibility around these issues, we launched a language and culture teaching portal, offered audiences the chance to learn Pitjantjatjara through a small teaching show, created short teaching films, as well as music and CDs with a Pitjantjatjara choir. We made a high profile documentary, and finally, a large award winning touring show for national festivals. By creating this range of art products, we attracted exceptional media and gained high level political interest in the issue. This assisted in driving a new Indigenous language policy and increased funding to help prevent language loss.
Trevor Jamieson is a veteran of stage and screen with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, and a long time creative partner with BIGhART. He is known as an Actor, Dancer, Musician and Storyteller and his portrait, taken by Brett Canet-Gibson, took out the People’s Choice award for the 2017 National Portrait gallery exhibition in Canberra.
Trevor is not only an accomplished actor but is also known for his ability on the guitar and didgeridoo. Trevor has also received acclaim for his dance performances across the globe.Trevor was announced as a Permanent Ambassador for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in 2017.Some of Trevor’s screen work includes Storm Boy; Thalu: Dreamtime is Now; Boys in the Trees. His stage credits include the Australian tour of The Season; the Sydney Theatre Company’s The Secret River; and the performance of Namatjira at Southbank, London in front of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines - Citizen artists successfully rebuild the social infrastructure in six communities devastated by war, repression and dislocation. Author William Cleveland tells remarkable stories from Northern Ireland, Cambodia, South Africa, United States (Watts, Los Angeles), aboriginal Australia, and Serbia, about artists who resolve conflict, heal unspeakable trauma, give voice to the forgotten and disappeared, and restitch the cultural fabric of their communities.
Pitjantjatjara: The Pitjantjatjara (/ˌpɪtʃəntʃəˈtʃɑːrə/;[1] Pitjantjatjara: [ˈpɪɟanɟaɟaɾa] or [ˈpɪɟanɟaɾa]) are an Aboriginal people of the Central Australian desert near Uluru. They are closely related to the Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra and their languages are, to a large extent, mutually intelligible (all are varieties of the Western Desert language).
They refer to themselves as aṉangu (people). The Pitjantjatjara live mostly in the northwest of South Australia, extending across the border into the Northern Territory to just south of Lake Amadeus, and west a short distance into Western Australia. The land is an inseparable and important part of their identity, and every part of it is rich with stories and meaning to aṉangu.[2]
They have, for the most part, given up their nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle but have retained their language and much of their culture in synergy with increasing influences from the broader Australian community.
Today there are still about 4,000 aṉangu living scattered in small communities and outstations across their traditional lands, forming one of the most successful joint land arrangements in Australia with Aboriginal traditional owners.
Melbourne International Arts Festival: Melbourne International Arts Festival, formerly Spoleto Festival Melbourne – Festival of the Three Worlds, then Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, becoming commonly known as Melbourne Festival, was a major international arts festival held in Melbourne, Australia, from 1986 to 2019. It was to be superseded by a new festival called Rising from 2020 (which was subsequently derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia).
Spinifex Country: The Pila Nguru, often referred to in English as the Spinifex people, are an Aboriginal Australian people of Western Australia, whose lands extend to the border with South Australia and to the north of the Nullarbor Plain.[1][2] The centre of their homeland is in the Great Victoria Desert, at Tjuntjunjarra, some 700 kilometres (430 mi) east of Kalgoorlie,[3] perhaps the remotest community in Australia.[4] Their country is sometimes referred to as Spinifex country.[5] The Pila Nguru were the last Australian people to have dropped the complete trappings of their traditional lifestyle.[6]
Alex Kelly: Alex Kelly is an Australian freelance artist, filmmaker and producer based in regional Australia. Kelly was born in regional NSW and grew up in a farming community near Wodonga in regional Victoria,[1]
Kelly has worked with diverse communities in Australia and around the world including Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Amsterdam, Barcelona and the UK organising and lobbying for social change. She has been involved in community development, the arts, media (communication), environmental protection and social justice projects.
Palawa people of Tasmania: The Aboriginal Tasmanians (Palawa kani: Palawa or Pakana[4]) are[5] the Aboriginal people of the Australian island of Tasmania, located south of the mainland. For much of the 20th century, the Tasmanian Aboriginal people were widely, and erroneously, thought of as being an extinct cultural and ethnic group that had been intentionally exterminated by white settlers.[6] Contemporary figures (2016) for the number of people of Tasmanian Aboriginal descent vary according to the criteria used to determine this identity, ranging from 6,000 to over 23,000.[1][2]
Edward Said: (1 November 1935 – 24 September 2003) was a Palestinian American academic, literary critic and political activist.[1] A professor of literature at Columbia University, he was among the founders of postcolonial studies.[2] Born in Mandatory Palestine, he was a citizen of the United States by way of his father, a U.S. Army veteran.
David Mamet is an American playwright, filmmaker, and author. He won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). He first gained critical acclaim for a trio of off-Broadway 1970s plays: The Duck Variations, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and American Buffalo.[2] His plays Race and The Penitent, respectively, opened on Broadway in 2009 and previewed off-Broadway in 2017.
Tasmania is an island
Voices of justice, tales of transformation, and a legacy of love. Join us on a journey through ROOTS Week and witness art changing lives one story at a time.
This is Part Two of our Alternate ROOTS series, (Listen to Part One HERE) Bill Cleveland attends the ROOTS Week annual gathering in Asheville, North Carolina. This episode features a diverse array of experiences from workshops, performances, and introduced participants. As ROOTS approaches its 50th anniversary, the episode explores its history and traditions. The episode also shares stories from community art and healing campaigns across different regions in the U.S., with insights from transformative justice work, the Higher Ground project in Kentucky, clean water advocacy in Phillips County, Arkansas, and the Homegrown Utica Fest in Mississippi. These stories underscore the power of collective action, creative expression, and community resilience.
00:00 Introduction to Alternate ROOTS Part 2
00:21 Roots Week: A Gathering of Creative Minds
01:12 Roots Week Opening Session: Personal Introductions
05:15 The Roots Book: A Historical Perspective
05:25 Founding of Alternate ROOTS: The Early Days
07:10 Highlander Center's Role in Civil Rights and ROOTS
08:21 Challenges and Triumphs of Early ROOTS Members
13:51 Group Singing and Community Building at Roots Week
15:43 Healing and Transformative Justice at ROOTS
17:00 Arts for Everybody: Community Art and Healing Campaign
17:34 Higher Ground: Community Theater in Harlan County
22:52 Hold On: Water and Wellness in Phillips County
29:39 Homegrown Utica Fest: Celebrating Local Culture
30:41 Building Sustainable Community Relationships
36:27 The Formation of the Utica Food Club
43:50 Concluding Reflections and Future Directions
Join us in a deep dive into the transformative power of art and conflict resolution with Cynthia Cohen. From powerful personal stories to groundbreaking projects, this episode is a testament to the power of creative peacebuilding.
In this episode we explore artmaking and peacemaking as mutually supporting, synergistic community assets. Our conversation, with activist, writer, educator, and filmmaker Cynthia Cohen delves into her extensive career in arts, culture, and conflict transformation, highlighting her collaborative projects like 'Acting Together' and 'A Passion for Life.' Various global artistic and peace-building efforts are examined for their impact on communities. Throughout, themes of creative engagement, humility, ethical practices, and the critical role of storytelling in peacebuilding are intricately explored.
00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Bernice Johnson Reagon
00:38 Creative Peace Builders: Voices from Around the World
05:40 Cynthia Cohen's Work and Philosophy
08:55 A Passion for Life: Personal and Professional Journey
13:42 Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas in Peacebuilding
15:39 The Role of Arts in Conflict Transformation
22:11 Act Two: How Does Peacebuilding Work?
37:45 Community Responsibility and Indigenous Involvement
38:20 The Influence of Cultural Workers
39:40 Mentorship and Personal Growth
40:02 Artists as Community Members
41:15 Core Principles for Community Impact
43:13 Challenges in Human Communication
50:20 The Role of Arts in Conflict Transformation
53:48 Personal Reflections and Influences
57:28 The Power of Storytelling and Listening
01:07:48 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations
As director of the program in Peacebuilding and the Arts, Cynthia Cohen lead action and reflection research projects, and wrote and taught about work at the nexus of the arts, culture, justice and peace.
BIOCynthia Cohen directed the Brandeis University/Theatre Without Borders collaboration "Acting Together on the World Stage," co-edited the Acting Together anthologies and co-created the project's documentary and toolkit. She is a senior fellow at IMPACT, Inc. [https://impactart.org] a global nonprofit organization responsible for the dissemination of Acting Together resources. Cohen has written extensively on the aesthetic and ethical dimensions of peacebuilding, including the chapters "Creative Approaches to Reconciliation" and "Engaging With the Arts to Promote Coexistence" and an online book, "Working With Integrity: A Guidebook for Peacebuilders Asking Ethical Questions."
Prior to the Acting Together project, Cohen directed the international fellowship program Recasting Reconciliation Through Culture and the Arts, which produced an anthology by that name. In addition, Cohen has worked as a dialogue facilitator with communities in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Central America and the United States. Before her tenure at Brandeis, she directed a community-based, anti-racist oral history center in the Boston area.
Acknowledgements:The audio clips that open the episode are come from the Trailer for the documentary film Acting Together on the World Stage co-created by Cynthia Cohen and Allison Lund of Progressive Pictures.
Join Bill Cleveland in a special bonus episode as we explore the incredible 50-year journey of Alternate ROOTS a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to social and economic justice. Featuring insightful conversations with Roots staffers Aimee McCoy and Clarissa Crawford, this episode delves into the diverse contributions of artists in tackling community issues, the importance of membership, and the upcoming 2024 Roots Week. Don't miss this in-depth look at one of America's most influential arts organizations and their vibrant community impact.
BONUS-BONUS: Alternate ROOTS Collection: This is a collection of Change the Story Episodes featuring 9 creative change agents who are associated one way or another with Alternate ROOTS. Check them out.
Episode Milestones
00:00 Introduction to Change the Story, Change the World
00:10 The Longevity of Nonprofits and Alternate Roots
00:56 Mission and Impact of Alternate Roots
02:04 Celebrating 50 Years of Alternate Roots
03:00 Roots Week 2024: Southern Soil Sankofa Seeds
03:19 Meet the Guests: Amy McCoy and Clarissa Crawford
05:14 The Role of Membership at Alternate Roots
09:30 Roots Members as Change Agents
12:58 Roots Week: A Gathering of Creativity and Community
18:59 Exploring Power and Agency at Roots
24:11 Challenges and Growth in Membership
33:11 Looking Forward: Hopes for Roots Week
🌟 "Change the Story, Change the World" is back with the FURTHER, Further Adventures of Lenwood O. Sloan! Dive into our conversation on woke culture, historical monuments, and the power of public art. Don't miss this engaging episode! #Podcast #ArtAndCommunity #ChangeTheWorld 🎙️
In this episode of 'Change the Story, Change the World,' Bill Cleveland continues his conversation with Lenwood O. Sloan. They discuss the abuse and current significance of Juneteenth, the replacement of Confederate monuments, and the various implications of the 14th Amendment over time. Sloan shares insights on public art as a means to foster community dialogue and how collective storytelling can contribute to social change. They also touch upon the importance of understanding democracy beyond voting, exploring citizenship, and communal responsibilities. Sloan's personal journey of resilience, particularly his experience relearning to walk, serves as a metaphor for social balance and gravity, further emphasizing the need for creative problem-solving and mutual respect within communities.
00:00 Introduction and Recap
00:36 Reflections on Woke and Juneteenth
05:27 The Role of Public Art in Community Healing
08:19 Navigating Historical Narratives and Monuments
10:10 The Eighth Ward Monument Project
13:59 The Importance of Storytelling in Art and Activism
20:45 The Waystation Project and Artist Responsibilities
26:40 Citizenship and Democracy
BIOFor the past 40 years, Lenwood Sloan has provided inspiration, leadership and technical assistance both in the public and private sector.
On October 7, 2013, Mr. Sloan received the Distinguished Service Humanitarian award from Pennsylvania Humanities Council for his outstanding work in community organizing.
He is currently an International Consultant collaborating with the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and the multi nation “Liberation Route” on a new international WWII heritage trail. He is creative consultant for the Cameron Museum of Wilmington, N. C. USCT project, collaborator on the innovative “Two Roads “ series for the Irish Cultural Center of New York,
Throughout 2011 Sloan served as Pennsylvania’s film commissioner and was certified by the Association of Film commissioners international (AFCI). In that capacity, he directed the 60 million dollar film tax credit office.
From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Sloan served as director of Pennsylvania’s Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program His portfolio included the Pa festival initiative, the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 13 state geo- tourism initiative, the artisans’ craft trails , the PA Civil War trails
Lenwood Sloan has served as Director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Presenting and Commissioning program , Deputy Director of Services to the field for the California Arts Council , Director of New Orleans Arts and Tourism partnership . He is recipient of the Louisiana Travel and Tourism leadership award for business innovations,
His artistic credits include creating “art in the market place” programs for the Rouse Corporation in New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Baltimore. In addition, he participated on the artistic team for five national public television documentaries, Treme- Untold Story, Emmy award winning Ethnic Notions, Stephen Foster, the internationally acclaimed Re-imaging Ireland, and the Emmy award winning Dance Black America.
For the past 40 years, Lenwood Sloan has provided inspiration, leadership and technical assistance both in the public and private sector. On October 7, 2013, Mr. Sloan received the Distinguished Service Humanitarian award from Pennsylvania Humanities Council for his outstanding work in community organizing. He is currently an International Consultant collaborating with the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and the multi nation “Liberation Route” on a new international WWII heritage trail. He is creative consultant for the Cameron Museum of Wilmington, N. C. USCT project, collaborator on the innovative “Two Roads “ series for the Irish Cultural Center of New York, Throughout 2011 Sloan served as Pennsylvania’s film commissioner and was certified by the Association of Film commissioners international (AFCI). In that capacity, he directed the 60 million dollar film tax credit office. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Sloan served as director of Pennsylvania’s Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program His portfolio included the Pa festival initiative, the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 13 state geo- tourism initiative, the artisans’ craft trails , the PA Civil War trails Lenwood Sloan has served as Director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Presenting and Commissioning program , Deputy Director of Services to the field for the California Arts Council , Director of New Orleans Arts and Tourism partnership . He is recipient of the Louisiana Travel and Tourism leadership award for business innovations, His artistic credits include creating “art in the market place” programs for the Rouse Corporation in New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Baltimore. In addition, he participated on the artistic team for five national public television documentaries, Treme- Untold Story, Emmy award winning Ethnic Notions, Stephen Foster, the internationally acclaimed Re-imaging Ireland, and the Emmy award winning Dance Black America.
Further Adventures of L. O. Sloan
In this milestone 100th episode, Bill Cleveland engages in a deep, reflective, and often humorous conversation with his longtime friend and legendary activist, actor, dancer, playwright, impresario, and historian, Lenwood Sloan. The discussion spans many topics, including Sloan's incredible career in the arts, his reflections on social change, and the societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode also touches on the roles of art and artists in activism and democracy, shining a spotlight on historical figures like Lydia Hamilton Smith and their untold contributions. The conversation serves as both a celebration of Sloan's legacy and a poignant commentary on current social issues.
00:00 Introduction to the Episode
00:33 A Rambling Conversation with Lenwood Sloan
03:16 Reflections on Pain and Perseverance
06:07 The Impact of COVID on Social Interactions
08:06 The Power of Decision Making and Imagination
18:43 Lydia Hamilton Smith: An Unsung Hero
27:27 The Role of Art in Social Change
31:52 Call to Action for Citizen Artists
BIOFor the past 40 years, Lenwood Sloan has provided inspiration, leadership and technical assistance both in the public and private sector.
On October 7, 2013, Mr. Sloan received the Distinguished Service Humanitarian award from Pennsylvania Humanities Council for his outstanding work in community organizing.
He is currently an International Consultant collaborating with the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and the multi nation “Liberation Route” on a new international WWII heritage trail. He is creative consultant for the Cameron Museum of Wilmington, N. C. USCT project, collaborator on the innovative “Two Roads “ series for the Irish Cultural Center of New York,
Throughout 2011 Sloan served as Pennsylvania’s film commissioner and was certified by the Association of Film commissioners international (AFCI). In that capacity, he directed the 60 million dollar film tax credit office.
From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Sloan served as director of Pennsylvania’s Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program His portfolio included the Pa festival initiative, the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 13 state geo- tourism initiative, the artisans’ craft trails , the PA Civil War trails
Lenwood Sloan has served as Director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Presenting and Commissioning program , Deputy Director of Services to the field for the California Arts Council , Director of New Orleans Arts and Tourism partnership . He is recipient of the Louisiana Travel and Tourism leadership award for business innovations,
His artistic credits include creating “art in the market place” programs for the Rouse Corporation in New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Baltimore. In addition, he participated on the artistic team for five national public television documentaries, Treme- Untold Story, Emmy award winning Ethnic Notions, Stephen Foster, the internationally acclaimed Re-imaging Ireland, and the Emmy award winning Dance Black America.
For the past 40 years, Lenwood Sloan has provided inspiration, leadership and technical assistance both in the public and private sector. On October 7, 2013, Mr. Sloan received the Distinguished Service Humanitarian award from Pennsylvania Humanities Council for his outstanding work in community organizing. He is currently an International Consultant collaborating with the U.S. Embassy in Brussels and the multi nation “Liberation Route” on a new international WWII heritage trail. He is creative consultant for the Cameron Museum of Wilmington, N. C. USCT project, collaborator on the innovative “Two Roads “ series for the Irish Cultural Center of New York, Throughout 2011 Sloan served as Pennsylvania’s film commissioner and was certified by the Association of Film commissioners international (AFCI). In that capacity, he directed the 60 million dollar film tax credit office. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Sloan served as director of Pennsylvania’s Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program His portfolio included the Pa festival initiative, the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 13 state geo- tourism initiative, the artisans’ craft trails , the PA Civil War trails Lenwood Sloan has served as Director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Presenting and Commissioning program , Deputy Director of Services to the field for the California Arts Council , Director of New Orleans Arts and Tourism partnership . He is recipient of the Louisiana Travel and Tourism leadership award for business innovations, His artistic credits include creating “art in the market place” programs for the Rouse Corporation in New Orleans, St. Louis, Boston, and Baltimore. In addition, he participated on the artistic team for five national public television documentaries, Treme- Untold Story, Emmy award winning Ethnic Notions, Stephen Foster, the internationally acclaimed Re-imaging Ireland, and the Emmy award winning Dance Black America.
Notable MentionsRobert Joffrey
Alvin Ailey
Ruth Asawa,
Animating Democracy
Lydia Hamilton Smith
Thaddeus Stevens
Reconstruction Amendments.
19th Amendment
Birth of a Nation
culture wars
Mapplethorpe (Robert)
Ron Athey.
Andre Serrano
corn for porn.”
Gettysburg Address
Kim Chan
In this episode we continue our conversation with Barbara Schaffer Bacon and Pam Korza, co-directors of Animating Democracy. The discussion centers on the role of arts in fostering civic dialogue and community engagement, particularly around challenging social issues. We explore several case studies of arts-based community projects, including:
1. The restoration of a King Kamehameha statue in Hawaii, which became a catalyst for broader community dialogue.
2. The Shipyard Project in Portsmouth, New Hampshire by Liz Lerman Dance Exchange.
3. A community dialogue project in Lima, Ohio by Sojourn Theater.
4. Controversial exhibits at the Henry Gallery, Jewish Museum, and Andy Warhol Museum dealing with genomics, the Holocaust, and the terrible legacy of lynching.
The conversation highlights how these projects built trust, facilitated difficult conversations, and led to long-term community impacts. We also discuss the evolution of this field over the past decades, current trends, and future prospects for arts-based civic engagement.
Key moments:
1. Discussion of the King Kamehameha statue restoration (00:02:14)
2. Reflection on the Portsmouth shipyard project (00:18:27)
3. Explanation of the framework for assessing project outcomes (00:24:46)
4. Description of controversial museum exhibits (00:32:40)
5. Exploration of current trends and changes in the field (00:42:51)
BIO'sPam Korza co-directs Animating Democracy, a program of Americans for the Arts that inspires, informs, promotes, and connects arts and culture as potent contributors to community, civic, and social change. She is a co-author and editor of Aesthetic Perspectives: Attributes of Excellence in Arts for Change. She co-wrote Civic Dialogue, Arts & Culture, and the Arts & Civic Engagement Tool Kit and co-edited Critical Perspectives: Writings on Art & Civic Dialogue, as well as the five-book Case Studies from Animating Democracy. Pam is co-chair of the Assessing Practices in Public Scholarship research group for Imagining America (IA), a consortium of colleges and universities that advances public scholarship in the humanities, arts, and design and was a two-term member of IA’s National Advisory Board. She began her career with the Arts Extension Service (AES)/UMass where she coordinated the National Public Art Policy Project and co-wrote and edited Going Public: A field guide to developments in art in public places. She also directed the New England Film & Video Festival.
Barbara Schaffer Bacon’s career launched in 1977 at the UMASS Arts Extension Service, a national leader in professional education for local arts managers, artists and civic leaders. Barbara served as director from 1984-90. She led Fundamentals and Advanced Local Arts Management seminars and contributed to the Fundamentals of Local Arts Management text book and The Cultural Planning Work Kit. In 1996 with Pam Korza, Barbara took a lead role to conduct research for and shape Animating Democracy, a program of Americans for the Arts. Animating Democracy shone an early and bright national light on arts and civic dialogue, built knowledge about quality practice, and created useful resources including Animating Democracy: The Artistic Imagination as a Force for Civic Dialogue; Civic Dialogue, Arts & Culture: Findings from Animating Democracy; Continuum Of Arts Impact: A Guide for Defining Social & Civic Outcomes & Indicators; Aesthetic Perspectives: Attributes of Excellence in Arts for Change; and Trend or Tipping Point: Arts & Social Change Grantmaking. In 2022 Barbara stepped back from Animating Democracy leadership. She currently serves as a program consultant for the Barr Foundation Creative Commonwealth Initiative. Barbara recently completed more than 10 years of service as a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. A Belchertown, MA resident, she served on the Belchertown School Committee for 14 years. In 2018, Barbara received the Robert E. Gard Foundation Leadership Award. Key words:
1. Animating Democracy
2. Civic dialogue
3. Community engagement
4. Arts-based initiatives
5. Trust-building
6. Cultural traditions
7. Provocation
8. Cross-sector work
9. Creative placemaking
10. Cultural activism
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