54Lights
Kondwani Mwase
7 Listeners
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Top 10 54Lights Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best 54Lights episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to 54Lights for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite 54Lights episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Leave It All On The Stage
54Lights
11/24/22 • 36 min
Acclaimed actor, Karen Leblanc joins us in studio to talk about her ever-elevating career and path. As an independent and emerging artist, she rose to more popular fame after instrumental performances in Rent and impersonating the indomitable Tina Turner. Though her path has been laden with successes, many people were introduced to her through her performance on OWN’s Kings of Napa... a series backed and lauded by none other than Oprah Winfrey.
In this episode, Karen graciously opens up her youth and how it was to grow up as the youngest of 8. She further walks us through the lessons of perseverance and how she prepares to perform and grow.
FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
- Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
4 Listeners
04/06/21 • 42 min
In the most highly anticipated episode in our 3 seasons, we are joined in our virtual studios by award-winning author Hanif Abdurraqib. The lyrical genius who’s authored popular bestsellers such as Go Ahead in The Rain, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, A Fortune For Your Disaster and The Crown Ain’t Worth Much met with us to share his perspective on writing and the creative process.
Hanif is a poet, essayist and culture critic based in Columbus, Ohio. The gifted creative spoke to us about the genesis of his passion - which was a skill cultivated from youth. He opened up about the process, the precision and pursuit that’s made his life’s work. His books are pure brilliance and profoundly capture what lies at the intersection between music and culture. This remarkably open conversation authentically exposes how Hanif sees his craft and the world.
And while you tune in, enjoy Hanif’s take on his latest work - A Little Devil in America - an exploration on black performance. Another powerful book amongst a library of critically important work.
Enjoy this must-listen experience from a must-read author.
About Hanif Abdurraqib
Hanif has been featured in Muzzle, Vinyl, PEN American, the New Yorker, The NY Times and many other journals. He has published several books including Go Ahead In the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest and his latest work A Little Devil in America
3 Listeners
07/07/22 • 4 min
The opening curtain rises again on 54Lights podcast.
This season, one unlike we've ever had, will unfold in a slow and stead burn. We will light up Africa by meeting (at least) 54 guests (daughters, sons and stars) with roots in (at least) 54 countries so that they can give us (at least) 54 heartfelt stories from the great continent.
We're telling these under told stories from Africa (from Africans), to all corners of the globe. And because each guest has a unique and flavour-filled tale to tell, we will tell these stories with care. So that they can shape and reshape and reframe the African narrative, one story at a time.
POST SCRIPT - While we're going to try to march the map, and get a voice from one person with roots from each nation, we embrace the truth - that one voice cannot speak for a nation and, better yet, that a nation is an oversimplified construct. Culture is rich and textured and complicated. It is one voice and many voices all at once. It is calm through havoc, quiet through chaos and unity through plurality. And so we invite you to join us with open hearts, open minds and open ears.
Enjoy the African experience and find yourself in every play.
CO-CONSPIRATORS & COORDINATES
Thanks to;
- the family at KIF Radio for helping us find so many musical geniuses
- the surgical precision of Roland Best at E-Rol Beats for composing our theme
- the team of stand up supporters - Siphiwe Mwase, Ariana Bursato, Patience Adamu, Mohsen al Attar and many many more...
Find and follow 54Lights
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
ABOUT 54Lights
54Lights is committed to elevating creative voices through authentically told stories. We showcase Africa for the world, through uniquely inspiring narratives that will, hopefully, stir the soul and steer the conversation about the dark continent.
2 Listeners
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The Masterpiece Makeover
54Lights
08/05/22 • 30 min
Artist Calvert Jones is best known for his stunningly bright and provocative works of art. This past year, I sat down with Calvert to talk about his work, its deep meaning and the ways in which the work blows beyond the canvas. Calvert, a hyper realist painter, sort to make a profound impact when he returned to his native home of St. Vincent. The motivation moved him to channel his culture’s paradise into his work...designing pieces that reflect the reality of the spaces that he calls home. From his regular expressions (landscapes etc..) that capture island culture and Caribbean life to a line he's called the series. This series are recreations of famous paintings, reimagined in contemporary and multi-dimensional works that force viewers to think while watching.
Calvert Jones has had work commissioned by The British Royal family, corporations and countless individuals. He is no stranger to the spotlight and builds work that stands unparalleled in when viewed in the limelight. Historically relevant, presently poignant and ever-impactful, Calvert’s work inspires intriguing dialog that challenges tropes that ultimately invite people to educate themselves about history and the context through which we appreciate our constructed realities.
POST SCRIPT – Before, during or after listening, I’d recommend that you visit Calvert’s website to better appreciate his mind, mission and movements. Enjoy the African experience and find yourself in every play.
Calvert joined is via our virtual studio from his home in St. Vincent.
CO-CONSPIRATORS & COORDINATES
Thanks to;
- Find Calvert Jones’ work at https://tropicalrealism.com/
- Music for our episode was composed by Roland Best at E-Rol Beats
FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
ABOUT 54Lights
54Lights is committed to elevating creative voices through authentically told stories. We showcase Africa for the world, through uniquely inspiring narratives that will, hopefully, stir the soul and steer the conversation about the dark continent.
2 Listeners
1 Comment
1
06/20/24 • 33 min
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY
Kondwani Mwase sits down with Ghanaian-Canadian artist Kofi Frimpong for a vibrant discussion about his artistic journey, creative process, and the power of community. Kofi shares insights into how his colourful paintings connect with people, especially those in the African diaspora. Join them as they explore the importance of love, laughter, and endless possibilities in art and life.
LEAN IN, LISTEN UP...AND LEARN
- Inspired by his father's doodling of Egyptian characters, Kofi's artistic journey began at a young age.
- Kofi's paintings often feature vibrant colours and textured backdrops that tell a story, with figures and faces complementing the narrative.
- Reflecting his love for people, community, collaboration, and the idea of creating spaces conducive to love, learning, and laughter, Kofi's art serves as a powerful connector.
- Kofi's passion for community building and spreading love stems from his belief in the importance of supporting one another and creating environments that foster endless possibilities.
- Kofi's Ghanaian roots influence his art through the use of vibrant colours and the way he interacts with people, emphasizing politeness and respect.
- Focusing on the backdrop to tell a story, Kofi's creative process involves adding a figure or face that fits the narrative as the final piece.
- Engaging conversations with his wife and children, playing sports like basketball and volleyball, and reading books, even if he doesn't always finish them, provide Kofi with escape and fun.
OUR HIGHs (NO LOWs)
[00:08:29] "I noticed the teacher coming. I realised that I didn't have time to, you know, hide my drawing. So, I just kept going. And to my surprise my teacher didn't actually get upset. In fact, she was really impressed." - Kofi shares a pivotal moment in his artistic journey.
[00:11:03] "The process in itself is for me, and then the artwork is for the world. Lucky for me when people see my artwork they find a connection." - Kofi explains how his creative process is personal, while his art connects with others.
[00:24:33] "When we create these environments that are conducive to love, learning, laughter and endless possibility, it just feels good” - Kofi discusses his passion for community building and how it relates to his art.
[00:32:45] "I feel like there's definitely a strong connection between Ghana and Nigeria. Um, obviously, you know Ghana must go and Nigeria must go. That's in the past. But right now, I feel like we're definitely family." - Kofi highlights the connection between Ghana and Nigeria, recommending Nigeria as the next destination for 54Lights.
FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (brush stroke) at a time.
2 Listeners
11/16/23 • 34 min
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY
54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (bean) at a time.
In the latest episode of 54 Lights, Kondwani converses with Muna Mohammed, the innovative CEO behind Eight50 Coffee. Muna's deep-rooted connection to coffee cultivation, passed down through generations of her family, led her to explore Ethiopia's coffee origins.
From her upbringing, Muna's fascination with coffee bloomed as she listened to her father's vivid stories of his Ethiopian childhood. Determined to honor her coffee heritage, she embarked on a poignant journey to her family's coffee farm in East Hararghe, where the legacy of Harar Coffee lives on.
Kondwani and Muna explore the fusion of heritage and entrepreneurship, uncovering the essence of Eight50 Coffee's rich cultural tapestry.
LEAN IN, LISTEN UP...AND LEARN
Muna Mohammed, the CEO and founder of Eight50 Coffee, has a strong connection to coffee as she comes from a coffee-producing family in Ethiopia. Muna's decision to start the company was driven by a desire to bring diversity to the coffee industry, particularly on the brand end where there is a lack of representation.
The name "Eight50 Coffee" was chosen to connect directly to the origin of coffee, with 850 being the date often associated with the discovery of coffee in Ethiopia or Yemen. Of note is that;
- Muna is intentional about telling the story of coffee accurately and showcasing the different regions and cultures involved in coffee production.
- Muna's journey to launching 850 Coffee involved years of preparation, including learning about the science and process of coffee, commercial roasting training, and immersing herself in the industry. She launched the business during the pandemic in 2020.
BEST MOMENTS...from our guest
- "I wanted a name that connected directly to coffee's origin... I chose to name it 850 because not only does it tell a story of origins and ancient traditions, but it allows me to tell the story of coffee's origins and birthplace."
- “I knew that being on the brand end, which is where we don't see diversity, that's where you're seeing the brands that are packaged, sold in stores, sold on the shelves, the ones that are actually telling the stories of coffee and are putting out the content around coffee online on social, you know, that's the stuff that I felt like, you know, I didn't see a lot of, I didn't see a lot of diversity there."
- "I always try to do as much research and gather as much information as possible so that they are being presented in a way that is accurate."
- "2020 was just like, for me, it was go time. I've been saying I'm going to do this for a long time. And this, it just, it was the right time. And everything kind of just fell into place for me."
- "I'd love to see what my neighbours in Kenya are doing. I think there's a lot of cool stuff happening. And I'd love to hear more about some really inspiring entrepreneurs from Kenyan heritage, whether it's abroad or within Kenya, what they're doing.”
RESOURCE Full
Eight50 Coffee - https://www.eight50coffee.com/
Website - https://54lights.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
ABOUT THE HOST
Kondwani Mwase | Host & Creator
For most of my life, I have been obsessed with relationships. I have worked, watched and wondered about the complex nature of human interaction. Originally, my interest laid in the narrative...more specifically, I was driven to understand what was happening. Increasingly, my curiosity has been inspired by the underlying motivations behind events...why it happens. It is this curiosity that motivates me.
My professional journey led me to the field of marketing and the exercise of selling in the service of brands. Over the years, I’ve learned that the true currency is working in the service of people. Finding ways to understand how to cultivate meaningful relationships with them....and making them “happy”. I leveraged my skills as a mass marketer to reach a different audience with a different message. As such, The Warehouse Magazine became my passion. I founded the publication to try and build a community for the conscientious. It was my first business, my first foray into media and, in some ways, my first love. And its eventual retirement left me wanting. Leaving me with a feeling of unfinished business.
2 Listeners
1 Comment
1
08/12/21 • 22 min
FoodShare is a community-led organization whose work centres around disrupting the food system - in a way that will make good healthy food accessible for all. As part of our mini-series finale on food (the space, the supporting systems and the people that drive and thrive in the ecosystem), 54Lights sat down with FoodShare's Executive Director Paul Taylor to talk about the impact of the organization.
An Ontarian with close ties to his lineage and his Kittitian roots, Paul spoke to us about those who've influenced and informed his path (his mother and grandmother among them) as he was growing up. At a young age, he tuned into the systematic injustices that lead to food insecurity and how it impacted the most vulnerable communities in our society - ones that not-so-coincidentally are disproportionately black, brown and indigenous.
Paul's outlook, one that's grown over time and with the contribution of his fellow activists, is devoted to understanding the organizing principals that lead to emergencies within our world. And while these crusaders continue the hard work of understanding societal injustice, they work diligently to dismantle its constructs including anti-black racisim.
According to FoodShare, "It's our time to lead" and the discussion dove into the reasons why, at this critical juncture, there might be a sliver of hope and promise. From community to activists to social movements, Paul calls upon all citizens to step forward by looking at their communities, and the things that happen within them, and to understand why injustice occurs. Lastly, Paul leaves and invites listeners to challenge the status quo by getting politically involved - contacting local government officials to make sure that they feel the political will and impetus to move towards sustainable progress.
- Find and follow FoodShare at foodshare.net
- Find and follow Paul Taylor at paultaylorto.com
NOTE: This is a 2-Part interview featuring our guest.
2 Listeners
1 Comment
1
Trailers with no Regrats
54Lights
07/21/22 • 7 min
Our debut of 54Bites - our reflections on things said and unsaid from our previous episode. Today, we talk trailers...what's in, what's out and what there's to regret.
In case you were wondering...we see the typo:-)
CO-CONSPIRATOR COORDINATES
Patinece Adamu is an inspirational and remarkable broadcaster. She's an EP on several works including;
- The Drip podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/1hMpKISToSxAhdslkOHS9z?si=47e0e55b53b94ce7
- BBW: Big Beautiful and Winning - https://open.spotify.com/show/1GGabtQNX4bvjSxB86ho1k?si=44bef41968f04df6
- Hyphenated podcast
FIND AND FOLLOW 54LIGHTS
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crowd54/
Email guest referrals, comments and stories to [email protected] (feedback welcome...complaints and hate, not so much)
ABOUT 54Lights
54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (beat) at a time.
2 Listeners
1 Comment
1
01/05/22 • 25 min
As we near the end of Season IV of 54Lights, we sat down with one of the best and brightest Creative Directors in North America. Matt Rennick, a friend and fantastic ally of the African community, joined us in our virtual studios to talk about his philanthropic campaign to raise money for three Nigerian organizations. Compelled to act during the EndSARS unrest in Nigeria, Matt channeled his love and admiration of Fela Kuti, his creativity and his bias for meaningful action to create an inspiring response to a brutal campaign. Ever concious of his privilege and place as an ally, Matt lights the way with an energy and approach that's to be modelled.
Over the course of our conversation, Matt opened up about his past and what brought him to the creative space...an energy driven by what he calls a DIY ethos. From a young age, Matt has worked to build things from the ground up - finding his way in workplaces thanks to his raw talent and deep connections he cultivated along the way. As he gave us a brief walkthrough of his professional pathway it was clear that, despite all his success, he's as grounded as they come. His simple and unwavering perspective on the best part of his career was the impact of people - the teams he's led and worked side by side with.
Matt then took us through his creative process of designing shirts with song titles, lyrics and album names from musicians in the Congo and Nigeria. Many of the inspirational artists sang songs of protest and liberation for their people - with the focal point being Fela Kuti. In the wake of EndSARS and around the anniversary of Fela Kuti's birthday, Matt launched a line of shirts emblazoned with is work...an ode to Fela and a fundraising gateway. All proceeds from the shirt sales go to three organizations based in Nigeria that Matt researched and contacted.
Funds Raised from shirt sales go to;
Mirabel Centre - supporting women who are victim of sexual assault - https://mirabelcentre.org/
Kokun Foundation - supporting the needy and addressing food insecurity - https://www.instagram.com/kokunfoundation/
Serap Nigeria - NGO supporting human rights - https://serap-nigeria.org/
Buy shirts here - http://www.mattrennick.com/shop
For his efforts and his energy, we thank Matt...a true ally if there ever was one.
1 Listener
12/02/21 • 29 min
As we near the close of our third season of 54Lights, we’re dedicating the next few episodes on culture creators that are pushing our collective world ever forward. This next episode intercepts the prolific community activist Dr. Joseph Smith who, as you’ll hear in the conversation, is no average Joe. He’s a bold entrepreneur that has created youth programs, a speaking practice and continues to create conditions where people around him can thrive. He is the personification of an ally...but transcends labels.
Joseph spoke candidly about how deep an impact his mother has had on his upbringing and his person. Someone I will never meet but obviously a caring a thoughtful being who remains with us through him. As our conversation evolved, we spoke about the work that Joseph has been doing, through his organizations, and touched on why the work matters - at this time and always. We also spoke about the very real phenomena of compassion fatigue and burnout fatigue. Areas that are addressed, among others, in his newly launched Remedy program - that works address mental health.
Our conversation culminated in a critical dialog about dealing with the fight for social justice while avoid stoking the fires and creating more prolific enemies of progress. This consideration is a new and complex one, given a world climate that capitalizes on popular and sometimes divisive movements. For Joseph, part of all of these issues are addressed intentionally and with care.
Want MORE...?
from our guest - https://www.drjosephjsmith.ca/
from 54Lights on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/54lights
1 Listener
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FAQ
How many episodes does 54Lights have?
54Lights currently has 106 episodes available.
What topics does 54Lights cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Podcasts and Arts.
What is the most popular episode on 54Lights?
The episode title 'Leave It All On The Stage' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on 54Lights?
The average episode length on 54Lights is 31 minutes.
How often are episodes of 54Lights released?
Episodes of 54Lights are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of 54Lights?
The first episode of 54Lights was released on Dec 14, 2018.
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