ACT TWO: Becoming a World Builder with Aisha Shillingford
Black Her Stories
In this two-part episode, Michaela is in conversation with Collagist and Creative Director of Intelligent Mischief, Aisha Shillingford. Together, we explore her unique path to artistry; how she followed her intuition, experimented with different mediums, found her creative voice, and ultimately, self-actualized into an artist. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready for their inner artist to take up more space. Links and Resources: Visual Voice: A 5-week virtual course that blends the hands-on practice of collage with art history and group coaching. The next cohort...
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ACT ONE: Imagining Futures of Repair with Aisha Shillingford
Black Her Stories
In this mini-episode, Michaela sits down with Aisha Shillingford, Creative Director of Intelligent Mischief, to hear the creative journey that led to the . Links and Resources: Intelligent Mischief: Discover the world building practice of and learn more about the exhibit. While you’re on the interwebs, give Aisha a follow on Instagram () BHS Newsletter 💌: for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from
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Act One: Remembering bell hooks with Ashara Ekundayo
Black Her Stories
In this two-part episode, Michaela is in conversation with independent curator, social practice artist, caregiver, and founder, Ashara Ekundayo. Together, we explore the influence of bell hooks on Ashara’s life and the role of artists in moments of celebration, chaos, and catastrophe. Links and Resources: Artist as First Responder: Discover the interstellar creative work of the platform and learn more about the important work of While you’re at it, give her a follow on Instagram () bell hooks: To learn more about our sister, bell hooks, check out . To view the...
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Act Two: Recognizing Artists as First Responders with Ashara Ekundayo
Black Her Stories
In this two-part episode, Michaela is in conversation with independent curator, social practice artist, caregiver, and founder, Ashara Ekundayo. Together, we explore the influence of bell hooks on Ashara’s life and the role of artists in moments of celebration, chaos, and catastrophe. Links and Resources: Artist as First Responder: Discover the interstellar creative work of the platform and learn more about the important work of . While you’re at it, give her a follow on Instagram () Amiri Baraka: To learn more about our brother, Amiri Baraka, check out . To view...
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Act One: Celebrating Black Love through Collage with Rachel Chapman
Black Her Stories
In this episode, Michaela Ayers explores the transformative power of love, creativity, and community care. Reflecting on her journey through the Seeda School for Black feminist worldbuilding, Michaela shares how the recovery of her creative spirit has shaped her latest offering—The Art of Black Love, a collage and memory workshop. Join us inside Wa Na Wari, a historically Black home turned cultural space, where participants gather to reflect on love in all its forms. Listen as workshop attendees, including Rachel Chapman, bring their memories to life through creative writing and collage....
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Jumping Timelines: Reflecting on the Past, Present, and Future
Black Her Stories
In this reflective episode, Michaela travels through space-time to revisit one of her proudest moments of 2024. This episode also introduces the concept of Black Quantum Futurism, connecting ancestral wisdom to our present lives. Join Michaela as she shares a heartfelt letter to her future self and offers a glimpse into her personal journey as an artist. Links and Resources: Trinit Watson: A Detroit-based Cultural Worker, Resource Mobilizer, and Facilitator of Birwood House's Collective Memory Mapping Series. about her artistic practice and commitment to communal care. Birwood House 🏠:...
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Act Two: Savoring Ancestry and Black Diasporic Food with Franchescha Lamarre
Black Her Stories
In this episode of Black Her Stories, Michaela Ayers reconnects with Chef Franchesca Lamarre. Together, they host an intimate backyard dinner party where food rituals and lineage intertwine. From her roots in Haitian traditions to her bold experimentation with Black American flavors, Fran takes us on a journey through food that honors her ancestors and connects her to her community. Links and Resources: Episode Sponsor: The FBomb Breakfast Club is badass peer support network where women and gender-diverse business leaders come together to laugh, learn, and share recipes for...
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Act One: Honoring Ancestry and Black Diasporic Food with Franchescha Lamarre
Black Her Stories
This episode of Black Her Stories celebrates our maternal connections through food and the sisterhood between chefs Franchescha Lamarre and Mariya Moore Russell. Both women allow us to tag along their journeys through the culinary world and their commitment to preserving Black food traditions. Tune in for a delicious conversation about food, family, and the care of cooking. Links and Resources: Instagram 📸: Keep up with Fran () and Mariya () to stay informed about their upcoming events. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to give BHS () a follow. Food Pop-Ups 😋: If you’re in...
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Celebrating Grandmothers and the Cultural Roots of Collard Greens
Black Her Stories
Dive into the rich heritage of collard greens and explore the connection between food, family, and tradition. Join Michaela Ayers as she hosts a storytelling booth at Detroit’s 2nd Annual Collard Green Cook-Off, capturing the culinary memories of the community. From the preparation techniques passed down through generations to the evolving practices of today’s chefs, this episode is a flavorful celebration of cultural roots. Key Takeaways: Heritage Preparation: Learn how traditional cooking methods, especially those for collard greens, connect us to our ancestors. Community and Food...
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Act Three: Prioritizing Creativity and Community Voices with Sidewalk Detroit
Black Her Stories
Tune into this bonus episode to meet the team at Sidewalk Detroit and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes listen of in the last chapter of artist Halima Afi Cassells’s eco-art residency. Get up close and personal with the visionary leaders who are pioneering a creative approach to city building, climate resilience, and community care. Together, we dive into how artists play a vital role in creating public art that raises awareness of critical social issues and how Sidewalk Detroit leverages collaborative approaches to foster meaningful change. Resources & Special Mentions: ...
info_outlineIn this episode, we wander into a conversation with Nandi Comer. Comer is the author of American Family: A Syndrome (Finishing Line Press) and Tapping Out (Northwestern University Press). She also serves as a poetry editor for Obsidian Literature and Arts in the African Diaspora and as the Director of the Allied Media Projects Seeds Program.
Together, we celebrate the work of Vievee Francis. Vievee Francis is a poet, award-winning author, and editor, and currently teaches English and creative writing as an Associate Professor at Dartmouth College. Of her own poetry, Francis said, “I’m very much saying that how African-American women are defined is inhuman in its narrowness and that I, for one, am not going to allow it.”
We investigate the power of the persona as a tool for deep empathy, and how Francis’s practice of telling stories that break the silence connects to the collective memories of the Juneteenth holiday.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The practice of persona in poetry and in community
- Creativity is a collective practice
- Anticipating contradictions within our personal and collective narratives
Resources:
- Nandi Comer
- Website: https://www.nandicomer.com/
- Referenced Works
- Vievee Francis
- About: Vievee Francis
- Referenced Works
- Detroit References
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