Welcome to a power house, power voice podcast with Karen Kalafatas (Kal-uh-fay-tis) - singer, writer, changemaker and artist-preneuer living in North Carolina’s Piedmont. As founder of the nationally acclaimed tot-rock group Karen K & the Jitterbugs, Karen has lit up stages across the country and world, and has been featured in multiple media outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Huffington Post, Broadway World, PBS and CBS New York.

In this candid and open-hearted conversation, we hear the change-making work of this stalwart advocate for equity and inclusion. Karen is Creator and Executive Producer of Kids Really Rock™ - the largest free family music festival in the country, and Co-Founder of Family Music Forward, a collective dedicated to dismantling systemic racism in the family music industry. Karen talks some hard truths, addressing inequity in her business. You also get to hear her gorgeous voice and a stunning snippet of her newest song, February Strong.

Highlights include:

“One of the things I learned from my greatest teachers was of course, just like in writing, being truthful. My very favorite acting teacher, Carol Fox Prescott, her entire philosophy and pedagogy is based on this idea of following your breath and seeking joy. And, of course, that's applicable to all of us in life, right? If we can learn to do that, and follow our breath and seek the joy. What a beautiful life, we'll be privileged enough to lead, right. But, I do try to do that as much as I can and when I sing, and often don't…but I do try.”

“The family music industry is extremely white centered. And so we formed a collective, and we're in the process of officially becoming a nonprofit. We're working with a consultant, who's here in North Carolina. As a matter of fact, we are all over the country from LA and Portland, to Austin to Washington to North Carolina, all the way up to Boston. But, our mission is to amplify and elevate black voices in the family music industry, so that children hear and see themselves reflected in that space and in their space. And so they feel safe families feel safe and celebrated in that space. And it's been incredibly hard and incredibly beautiful work, truly beautiful.”

“Be messy. I would say be messy. And  there's a racial bias lens to this too, because this is very much like a white supremacist construct that everything has to be perfect. Be messy, throw some spaghetti against the wall, and see if it sticks. But you don't have to have everything all lined up, go out and play a little bit, and you can figure it out as you go.”

“Especially if you have a creative idea or, as an artist, if you want to launch your art into the world in a way that other people experience it. Perhaps, you want to make money doing it. It's a business so be smart about it. Have a business plan and ask for help. If you don't know how to do it - there are people in your life… Reach out and sit down with and connect with other humans and ask for advice and ask for help wherever you need it. And don't be afraid to do that.”
Find out more about our Guest Karen Kalafatas at
Website: karenkmusic.com
Website: karenkjitterbugs.com
Facebook: Karen K and the Jitterbugs
YouTube :Karen Kalafatas
YouTube: Karen K & the Jitterbugs

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