The ZAMI NOBLA Podcast

Alexis Pauline Gumbs’

Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde

Book Reading Information:

https://www.charisbooksandmore.com/event/survival-promise-eternal-life-audre-lorde-homecoming-celebration-alexis-pauline-gumbs-and

Book Reading Registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/survival-is-a-promise-the-eternal-life-of-audre-lorde-tickets-938622193247?aff=oddtdtcreator

A queer black troublemaker, a black feminist love evangelist and a prayer poet priestess,

Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs was the first scholar to research the Audre Lorde Papers at Spelman College, the June Jordan Papers at Harvard University, and the Lucille Clifton Papers at Emory University during her dissertation research. We are eagerly awaiting her forthcoming biography, Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde on August 20, 2024.

https://www.alexispauline.com/

Alexis’s work as a media maker and her curricula for participatory digital education have been activated in 143 countries.  Her digital distribution initiative BrokenBeautiful Press, her work as co-founder of Quirky Black Girls and her loving participation in the Women of Color Bloggers Network in the early 2000’s established her as one of the forerunners of the social media life of feminist critical and creative practice.   Alexis has been honored with many awards from her communities of practice including being lifted up on lists such as UTNE Readers 50 Visionaries Transforming the World, The Advocate’s 40 under 40, Go Magazines 100 Women We Love, the Bitch 50 List, ColorLines 10 LGBTQ Leaders Transforming the South, Reproductive Justice Reality Check’s Sheroes and more.  She is a proud recipient of the Too Sexy for 501C-3 trophy, a Black Women’s Blueprint Visionary Award and the Barnard College Outstanding Young Alumna Award.

From 2017-2019, Alexis served as visiting Winton Chair at University of Minnesota where she collaborated with Black feminist artists in the legacy of Laurie Carlos to create collaborative performances based on her books Spill and M Archive.  During that time she served as dramaturg for the award winning world premiere of Sharon Bridgforth’s Dat Black Mermaid Man Lady directed by Ebony Noelle Golden.

Alexis is a 2023 Windham-Campbell Prize Winner in Poetry. Alexis’s most recent book Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals won the 2022 Whiting Award in Nonfiction.

Alexis was a 2020-2021 National Humanities Center Fellow, funded by the Founders Award, and is a 2022 National Endowment of the Arts Creative Writing Fellow.   

Original Photography of Alexis Pauline Gumbs by:

Sufia Ikbal-Doucet

Graphic Design of cover art image by:

Angela Denise Davis

This book party was hosted on May 27, 2023, at Charis Books & More in Decatur, Georgia. It featured esteemed writer Sharon Bridgforth in conversation with ZAMI NOBLA creative director Angela Denise Davis in celebration of bull-jean & dem/dey back.

You can view the YouTube video of this event at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6EcaVl7dxo

The ZNP previous interview of Sharon Bridgforth:

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/zaminobla/id/21629876

Bull-jean & dem/dey back is a collection that unites two performance/novels centered on the southern-Black-butch-heroine, bull-jean. The Lambda Literary Award-winning bull-jean stories was first published by RedBone Press in 1998 and follows the journey of love rekindling throughout the lifetimes of bull-dog-jean. After a twenty-two-year hiatus, bull-dog-jean triumphantly returns in bull-jean/we wake. As the Narrator grieves the loss of their elders and seeks healing, they summon bull-jean for guidance. Be sure not to miss this inspiring event!

A 2022 Winner of Yale's Windham Campbell Prize in Drama, Sharon Bridgforth is 2020-2023 Playwrights’ Center Core Member, a 2022-2023 McKnight National Fellow and a New Dramatists alumnae. She has received support from The Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, Creative Capital, MAP Fund and the National Performance Network. Her work is featured in Teaching Black: The Craft of Teaching on Black Life and Literature, Mouths of Rain an Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought and Feminist Studies Vol 48  Number 1, honoring 40 years of This Bridge Called by Back and But Some of Us Are Brave! Sharon has had the privilege of benefiting from support from the ZAMI NOBLA and Charis Books communities since 1998, when she toured with the RedBone Press edition of the bull-jean stories. In her new book, bull-jean & dem/dey back (53rd State Press) bull-jean returns in two performance/novels - both will be produced as main stage productions at Pillsbury House + Theatre in Minneapolis, MN in 2023. More at:

https://www.sharonbridgforth.com

Together We Heal: COVID-19's Mental Health Effects on Older Black Same Gender Loving Women

Thursday, December 14, 2023 (ZOOM webinar)

Findings from a COVID-19 Community Research Study led by Dr. Tonia Poteat, and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and Mary Anne Adams, MSW, and ZAMI NOBLA: National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging

The panelist discussed the mental health impacts of the pandemic, shared their insights, and provided strategies for healing and wellness.

The panel was sponsored by BEAM

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective

Panelists:

Dr. Tonia Poteat

Dr. Dionne Bates

Jowanna Tillman

Edonna Koon

Moderator:

Mary Anne Adams

Jowanna Tillman and Edonna Koon Talk about Living the RV Life

Release Date: 02/09/2020

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/zaminobla/id/13073057

Dr. Dionne Bates Speaks on the Power of Words, Emotional Health, and Freedom

Release Date: 08/15/2018

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/zaminobla/id/6932186

Dr. Tonia Poteat on Deserving Research that Reflects Your Real Life Lived Experience

Release Date: 12/05/2018

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/zaminobla/id/7814816

This interview was recorded in February 2024.

Sangodare (Julia Roxanne Wallace) is a sweet space for transformation. Sangodare comes from a thick legacy of Black Baptist preachers and church leaders and currently activates Black Feminist sermonics at a weekly Sunday Service held by Mobile Homecoming Trust. As co-founder of Black Feminist Film School (2012), Visiting Artist in Film at Lawrence University (2017-18) and Artist in Residence at UMN-Twin Cities in the Art Department (2017-19), Sangodare brings a creative, evolutionary and love filled approach to filmmaking, composing, interactive design and preaching. As co-founder of Black Feminist Film School (founded along with Sista Docta Alexis Pauline Gumbs, APG) Sangodare created Ritual Screening, a film viewing technology that is interactive and grounded in Black Feminist practice and our non-linear reality. As co-founder of Mobile Homecoming with APG, a national experiential archive project, Sangodare amplifies generations of Black LGBTQ brilliance. Sangodare's most recent exhibition called Inherit Light: An Evolutionary Practice of Love Consciousness (including a month long gallery exhibition at UMN in 2018) engages Black southern preaching and singing legacies, sound, altars, sacred implements through sculpture and installations, film and nature. It also features small and large-scale ruminations on round sculpture and buildings - domes. The dome in Inherit Light is the multi-sensory and interactive sacred space where Sangodare's invocations and sermons are ignited through the site-specific exhibits of Inherit Light.

Sangodare  (pronounced shahn-GO-dar-ay)

Sangodare’s Website

https://www.sangodare.com/

Mobile Homecoming

https://www.mobilehomecoming.org/live

A Sweet Space for Growth & Transformation

https://sangodare.podia.com/

Quirc

https://quirc.app/

In February 2024, The ZAMI NOBLA Podcast sat down to talk with Kendra Bryant Aya and Cyndi Ixchele Aya about their internet creation, “This is US: Unscripted Sundays with Kindy.” The couple shared the joys and challenges of maintaining a digital presence and the sacredness of storytelling.

 Kendra N. Bryant (s/hers) is a Black lesbian womanist, a fraternal twin, who enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing & shucking & jiving to & about all things Black. She spends too much time theorizing about white America’s hypocrisy; fangirls over Alice Walker; writes tankas & haikus; & trips the light fantastic to Kanye West, Aretha Franklin, & Lauryn Hill. When the spirit moves her, Kendra paints & collages, too. She endeavors to be a renowned poet. In the meantime, she works as an associate professor of English at North Carolina A&T State University. Read more about Kendra at drknbryant.com.

Cyndi Ixchele Aya (s/hers) is a queer Black woman and a mother of two sons who enjoys assisting people in developing tools and practices that promote their healing. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor with 15+ years counseling experience. Cyndi Ixchele leans into

non-traditional healing methods through her energy work as a reiki master, which informs the holistic approach she takes in supporting her clients’ mind-body-spirit selves. She believes when people consider their whole selves, they are more likely to engage in healing practices that fully support their lived experiences. Read more about Cyndi and her practices at innerversations.com.

Follow them at the links below:

Tik Tok

https://www.tiktok.com/@we.are.kindy

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/we.are.kindy/

Lana Williams is the Board Chair of ZAMI NOBLA (National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging). She is a Financial Coach, with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her experience includes banking, mergers and acquisitions, investment advising, and bank industry consulting with some of the largest Fortune 500 companies.  Positions she’s held include Regional Sales Manager, Senior Sales Consultant, and Project Manager.  As a Financial Coach, Lana helps clients develop healthy money habits. She educates and works one-on-one with them to create a financial plan that reflects their goals. Together, they structure budgets, implement debt payoff strategies, and create savings plans. She also serves as an accountability partner, cheerleader, and supporter.

Lana is a graduate of Florida A&M University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics.  She has been an active volunteer most of her adult life.  In addition to her current role as Chair of the Board of Directors, Lana has previously served on boards including Fourth Tuesday, and In the Life Atlanta, both in the LGBTQ+ community in Atlanta, GA. She also served on the United Way Allocations Committee.  Lana is an avid traveler, and lover of music, theater, photography, and most recently, camping.

[email protected]

404.490.1872

Ebook: The Financial Detox

https://payhip.com/b/W8B1g

Website

https://www.lwilliamfinance.com/

IG

https://www.instagram.com/lwilliamfinance

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@lwilliamfinance

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@lwilliampersonalfinanceedu3863

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/lwilliamfinance

Lynnette White and Sabrina Francis-White sat down with Angela to share how

a Blind date turned into a Fairy Tale Come True. And to discuss what it takes to sustain 32 years

of love, understanding and marriage. As they continue to plan their next adventure in life.

Mary Hooks is a 42yr old, Black, lesbian, feminist, abolitionist, pan-Africanist, mother, wife and a member of Southerners On New Ground and part of the leadership of the Movement 4 Black Lives.  Mary joined SONG as a member in 2009 and began organizing with SONG in 2010.  Mary’s commitment to Black liberation, which encompasses the liberation of LGBTQ folks, is rooted in her experiences growing up under the impacts of the War on Drugs.  Her people are migrants of the Great Migration, factory workers, church folks, Black women, hustlers and addicts, dykes, studs, femmes, queens and all people fighting for the liberation of oppressed people.

Mary Hooks believes that in order to reach a world that is free from fear and the safety and dignity of all people can be honored, Black people, oppressed people, and all those who are impacted by white supremacy must vision a new world, build our collective power, both locally and globally and take action.  She has been passionate about transformative organizing work that changes hearts and minds and has been at the forefront of combating racism, by taking on fights that impact the lives of Black and brown queer and trans people in the South, such as the work to abolish money bail, defunding police, re-imagining public safety and developing new organizers.  When she is not ripping the eyebrows off of white supremacy and injustice, you can find Hooks plotting, scheming, and dreaming, but most of all loving on her people. 

“The mandate; to avenge the suffering of our ancestors, to earn the respect of future generations, and to be transformed in the service of the work. Let’s get free ya’ll!” - Mary Hooks 

The ZAMI NOBLA North Carolina State Chapter holds a monthly potluck. I took a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, to experience one of these gatherings and had the pleasure of interviewing one of their members, Marilyn McClain. Marilyn McClain’s Bio: I Am a body Alchemist. One who is patient, grounded, wise, modest and who enjoys learning and teaching. My mind and soul are open. Love is my greatest tool. I use my inner strength and spirit to transform the lives of others through movement and visioning. I am a licensed physical therapist in the state of North Carolina. I have been practicing for 20 years.  I am certified as an instructor for Tai Chi for Immunity and Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. There are many forms of exercise and I assist clients in discovering what resonates with their whole being. ZAMI NOBLA North Carolina Chapter info: https://www.zaminobla.org/chapters ZAMI NOBLA North Carolina Chapter Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1157415168054367 Janyce Jackson Jones (President- ZAMI NOBLA North Carolina State Chapter)  interview: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/zaminobla/id/17779127

Stephanie Anne Johnson is a second-generation theater practitioner. Her mother Virginia Johnson (Green) worked with The American Negro Theatre In N.Y.

​Johnson has been a lighting designer for over forty years. Nationally she has done designs for La Mama Theatre (N.Y.), Telluride Repertory Theatre (Colorado), The Arizona Repertory Theatre, The National Black Theater, and The Apollo (N.Y.). Locally, she has worked with Cultural Odyssey, Rhodessa Jones, Afro Solo, Ubuntu Theatre, African American Shakespeare Company, The Aurora Theater, Shotgun Players, The Marin Theatre Company, and many other groups.

Her design work has also been seen in India, The Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Canada and France. She was awarded a Gerbode Design Fellowship in partnership with Cultural Odyssey of San Francisco in 1998. Photographs of Ms. Johnson's designs were included in the show Onstage: A Century of African American Stage Design which was presented at The N.Y. Public Library For The Performing Arts in 1995.

Stephanie also has written, directed and performed in theater presentations.

Stephanie’s One-Woman Show:

"Every 21 Days Cancer & Yoga & Me " July 21, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTEprQN0sRE

Stephanie’s Website:

Light Essence Design

https://www.lightessencedesign.com/?fbclid=IwAR1PRWIoov_uuprv1a3L-zGK7xARGG_yAGb3QbNs43-G1ay16pJoOjmLOxA