In this episode of Durham Artist Archive (DAA), I sat down with Akili Holder Cozart, a true Renaissance woman who’s doing it all as an actress, director, storyteller, and more. We jumped right into her work with Bump the Triangle, a nonprofit bringing music and arts education to Black and Brown kids in Durham, and her big dream of turning their theater program into a full-on community theater. Akili’s love for working with kids is contagious, and I loved hearing how collaborating with the students through a holistic approach, not only strengthens their technical skill, but also keeps her personal creativity fresh.

We also dug into her internationally acclaimed role in Finding Patience: Nobody Sees Them, her distinct approach to acting, and her recent directorial debut with Helen’s History Hop which was performed at The Hayti Heritage Center. Our conversation was a mix of deep dives into her creative process and some light, funny moments along the way. If you’re into theater, performance, or just love hearing from someone who’s all about building community through art (as many of DAA guests do!), then this episode’s for you. 🎭✨🎬

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Connect with Akili Holder Cozart:

https://www.instagram.com/akilitheartist/

https://www.facebook.com/AkiliH

Connect with me:

https://www.instagram.com/alwhyssa/

https://www.instagram.com/womanifestomag/

alyssacuffie.com

womanifestomag.com

Support the Pod:

https://ko-fi.com/alwhyssa

Additional Details:

Sponsored by VAE Raleigh and their Snapdragon Grant

Recorded at Queeny's in Durham

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit durhamartistarchive.substack.com