ACTION: Re-framing and Reclaiming the Narrative with Nambi E. Kelley

How do we personally take action to shift the narrative?

With an energetic calm that is both inspiring and soothing, playwright/actor/producer Nambi E. Kelley (Native Son, Re-Memori, Jabari Dreams of Freedom) joins hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee for a discussion about how we take action to shift the narrative from one that is exclusive and often incorrect, to one that is authentic to ourselves and our stories.

Knowing that small change can make a tidal wave of change, these three discuss their personal journeys as examples of how they have individually taken action to change the narrative. From acting in roles and productions with representative stories, to providing access to those who are climbing the ladder now, to adapting stories with strong messages, this episode is full of inspiring solutions to using your voice and career to make change.

As they say, if we don’t take action now, we’re not just letting down those who came before us, but those who came after us.

Jason makes his first original-recipe cocktail and names it Bureau 68 after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen’s Bureau of 1865-1868. As he says, “[This cocktail] is built upon the specs of others through the lens of access, brought together in the combination of remembrance of all these accomplishments but also the combined bittersweetness of success.” 

What advice can we give to those coming up behind us? How can we strive for individuality and the freedom that brings?

Nambi and The Lees suggest that by maintaining identity, self-love and actualizing kindness, we can achieve individuality. By being individual, which means being true-to-self, we can achieve a level of freedom; they further  encourage us to be scared but then also be courageous. They ask, how do you change the narrative – how do you impact people? You tell the truth.

For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.

And if you’ve enjoyed thinking and mocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.

Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!

Links:

Guests:

Nambi E. Kelley

http://www.nambikelley.com/

Jabari Dreams of Freedom

www.jabari-dreams-of-freedom.com

First Woman, Inc.

http://www.firstwomaninc.com/

The Freedmen’s Bureau – The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen’s Bureau 1865-68 primary years)

https://www.freedmensbureau.com/

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/FreedmensBureau.htm

GirlTrek

https://www.girltrek.org/

Lifeline - film

https://lagralane.com/#portfolio

Infants of the Spring by Wallace Thurman

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/868448.Infants_of_the_Spring

Lower Depth Theatre

www.lower-depth.com

Additional Links + Special thanks to:

Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/

Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97

Cocktail Recipe: Bureau 68

Bureau 68 was coined & created by Jason after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen’s Bureau of 1865-1868.

2.5 oz Hine Cognac

3/4 oz Rammazzotti Amaro

1/2 oz fresh