About The Guest

Today we're honored to introduce our guest, Professor Lesley Lokko. A distinguished Ghanaian-Scottish architect, educator, and bestselling novelist, Dr. Lokko most recently served as the Curator of the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture, becoming the first Black-identified person to hold the position. She’s also the founder and Director of the African Futures Institute (AFI) a pioneering postgraduate school of architecture in Accra, Ghana.

Dr. Lokko is also a best-selling novelist with 12 titles under her belt.  Her novels have been translated into sixteen languages dealing with themes of love, loyalty, class,  race, and cultural identity, transforming the “beach-read” genre into an extension of her architectural, world-building practice. For her contributions to the fields of Architecture and education, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2023 and 2024 won the Gold Medal Award, by the Royal Institute of British Architects, one of the highest honors in the world of architecture. 

And in many ways, that’s where today's conversation with Prof. Leslie Lokko begins. The reality of appearing to be at the top, juxtaposed against the sweat and elbow grease required in institution-building and well… being a human being. Prof. Lokko joyfully and deftly takes us on a journey of triumph, career pivots, culture shock, womanhood, and becoming. 

Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. Now, And now, the indefatigable Professor Lesley Lokko. 

Key Links

Darren Walker - president of the Ford Foundation

African Futures Institute - a new model for architectural education centered on three areas: teaching, research and public events.

La Biennale di Venezia - Venice Biennale - an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice, Italy by the Biennale Foundation.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE )- This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.

Mellon Foundation -Mellon makes grants to support communities through the power of the arts and humanities.

Key Readings

Biennale Architettura 2023: The Laboratory of the Future - Lesley Lokko

Saffron Skies - Lesley Lokko

The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection - Jennifer Rittner (Editor)  Lesley-Ann Noel (Editor)  Kelly Walters (Editor)  Anne H Berry (Editor)  Kareem Collie (Editor)  Penina Acayo Laker (Editor)

What to listen to

One World - Guy Warren

Ghana -  Becca

Canopy - Kuami Eugene

Into The Future - Stonebwoy

No Competition - Okyeame Kwame

Previous IBI Episodes to check out

E61. Justin Garrett Moore: Imagining Black Space.

E90. Space Agency. with Brigette Romanek

E95. Designing In Place. with Nifemi Marcus-Bello

E60. Kevin Bethune: Dreams, Design and Life.

Who to follow

W: African Futures Institute

IG: Lesley Lokko (@lesleylokko)

X: Lesley Lokko (@LokkoLesley) / X

This conversation was recorded on March 26, 2024.

Host Dario Calmese 

Producer:  K.T. Thompson

Lead Designer:  Elliott McKnight

Director of Digital Content: Vicky Garcia

Production Asst:  Noa Lesche

Archivist & Research: Cyle Warner

Original Music composed by Adam Radice

Sound Engineer:  Adam Radice

Visit us at blackimagination.com