Bittersweet explores joy explored through the lens of an elder statesman talking to the youth encouragingly and exploring the disparity between their generations and the life moments navigated with the gift of experience.

The spoken word piece highlights that a major part of black joy is another’s joy that we adopt as our own. And that there’s something special in that. But it also distinctly captures the neighbouring and opposing feelings that also co-opt many of our moments of joy and the duality that it presents.

In this episode, creative producer Rennae Walker and featured artist, AKS, explore the concept of black joy, dissecting its nuance and complexities other than favourable feelings of elation. They explore the role and sometimes necessity of pain in birthing experiences of joy in its truest and purest form.

The Chronicles of Black Joy podcast is supported and distributed by LU Arts (Loughborough University's art centre) in celebration of Black History Month.

Creative Producer - Rennae Walker

Technical Producer - Reece Ferreira

Graphic Designer - Vuyo Ngwenya