The Institute of Black Imagination.

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The Institute of Black Imagination.

Welcome to The Institute of Black Imagination hosted by artist, writer, and designer Dario Calmese. Each week we bring you conversations from The Pool of Black Genius: a collection of iconoclasts at the leading edge of cultural thought and innovation. We are here to inspire, engage, and to help you unleash your own imagination. Thank you for tuning in! Please don't forget to rate, comment, subscribe and SHARE with a friend (@blackimagination).

  1. MAY 26

    E96. Towards A New Architecture. with Dr. Lesley Lokko OBE

    About The Guest Today we're honored to introduce our guest, Professor Lesley Lokko. A distinguished Ghanaian-Scottish architect, educator, and bestselling novelist, Dr. Lokko most recently served as the Curator of the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture, becoming the first Black-identified person to hold the position. She’s also the founder and Director of the African Futures Institute (AFI) a pioneering postgraduate school of architecture in Accra, Ghana. Dr. Lokko is also a best-selling novelist with 12 titles under her belt.  Her novels have been translated into sixteen languages dealing with themes of love, loyalty, class,  race, and cultural identity, transforming the “beach-read” genre into an extension of her architectural, world-building practice. For her contributions to the fields of Architecture and education, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2023 and 2024 won the Gold Medal Award, by the Royal Institute of British Architects, one of the highest honors in the world of architecture.  And in many ways, that’s where today's conversation with Prof. Leslie Lokko begins. The reality of appearing to be at the top, juxtaposed against the sweat and elbow grease required in institution-building and well… being a human being. Prof. Lokko joyfully and deftly takes us on a journey of triumph, career pivots, culture shock, womanhood, and becoming.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. Now, And now, the indefatigable Professor Lesley Lokko.  Key Links Darren Walker - president of the Ford Foundation African Futures Institute - a new model for architectural education centered on three areas: teaching, research and public events. La Biennale di Venezia - Venice Biennale - an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice, Italy by the Biennale Foundation. Officer of the Order of the British Empire ( OBE )- This is awarded for having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area. Mellon Foundation -Mellon makes grants to support communities through the power of the arts and humanities. Key Readings Biennale Architettura 2023: The Laboratory of the Future - Lesley Lokko Saffron Skies - Lesley Lokko a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-black-experience-in-design-identity-expression-reflection-anne-h-berry/17302836?ean=9781621537854" rel="noopener...

    1h 34m

  2. MAY 12

    E95. Designing In Place. with Nifemi Marcus-Bello

    Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. I'm your host, Dario, and today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Nifemi Marcus-Bello, a visionary design director and founder of Nmbello Studio. Renowned for his community-centric and ethnographically-conscious design ethos, Nifemi’s practice exemplifies how obstacles are merely opportunities in disguise. In this conversation, we explore the journey of a designer deeply rooted in his Nigerian upbringing. Nifemi shares how he overcame societal pressures that attempted to sway him from his creative path, how reimagining local materials and processes expanded his own design language, and we even get into blood memory and ancestral wisdom. Yeah, it’s one of those episodes.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. Now, beaming in from across the Atlantic, design director and industrial designer,  Nifemi Marcus-Bello. Key Links nmbello Studio - is a design studio currently based in Lagos, Nigeria. Our design ethos is rooted in empathy. Ethnographic Museum of Trocadero - first anthropological museum in Paris Kwali - acts as a portable shop, weaving through Lagos traffic Kerry James Marshall- American artist Salone del Mobile Milano -The global benchmark event for the furnishing and design sector. Anna Karnick - Design Miami Curator 2023 Tavares Strachan - a Bahamian-born conceptual artist Tahir Carl Karmali - Artist Samuel Ross - Fashion designer What to Read Dieter Rams: Ten Principles for Good Design - Cees W. de Jong (Editor) Dieter Rams: The Complete Works - Klaus Klemp What to listen to Tested, Approved & Trusted - Burna Boy Drogba (Joanna) -  Afro...

    1h 36m

  3. APR 28

    E94. The Black School with Co-Founders Shani Peters And Joseph Cuillier, III

    Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of black genius. Today, we're thrilled to present Shani Peters and Joseph Cuillier III, the co-founders of The Black School—an innovative art institution dedicated to teaching radical Black politics through experimental approaches to art and design education. Both artists and organizers in their own right,  Founded by Joseph Cuillier and Shani Peters, they're mixing art with talks about Black politics and community projects. Inspired by past community-run schools, like those from the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, they're making a difference today. The Black School has three parts: the School itself, the Festival where students show off their work, and the Studio, where students learn about design and get job training. It's all about helping students understand their neighborhoods, make art that matters, and get ready for the future.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. Join us as we explore how organizations like The Black School are changing the game in education and beyond. Now, let's warmly welcome Shani Peters and Joseph Cuillier, the Co-Founders of The Black School, to our conversation. Key Links Joseph A. Cuillier Career Center - We are a school dedicated to providing an education that empowers our students to succeed in the workforce and beyond. bell hooks - American author Alma Thomas - American artist and teacher Rosenwald/Booker T. Washington Schools- Booker T. Washington of the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and president of Sears Roebuck, built state-of-the art schools for African American children across the South. Augusta Savage -American sculptor Harlem Community Art School - The Center was a place for the Harlem community to receive education in the arts for free or little charge. Oakland Community School - was a Black Panther-run liberation school that operated in Oakland from 1973 to 1982. Emory Douglas - The former Minister of Culture and Revolutionary Artist for the Black Panther Party Black Love Festival- presented by The Black School, is an art and music festival promoting a cultural movement for Black love. a href="https://projectrowhouses.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 21m

  4. APR 14

    E93. Imagining Diasporic Retrofutures with Olalekan Jeyifous

    Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. I am your host, Dario. Today, we're excited to introduce Olalekan Jeyifous, an innovative artist and architect whose world-building practice reimaginations the relationship between community, urbanity, nature, and time; It’s very much giving Main Character Energy, and citizens of the Black Atlantic take centerstage. In today's conversation, Olalekan and I discuss how architecture alone is rarely sufficient in solving problems in the urban landscape, we reimagine what the continent of Africa COULD have looked like if colonial powers were expelled post-independence, and Lek challenges conventional notions of beauty and success in architecture and why storefront churches and bodegas deserve a shoutout.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. And now, take a breath, as we take a ride with artist and architect Olalekan Jeyifous. Key Links Lebbeus Woods - American architect and artist Silver Lion - an annual award presented for best directing achievements in a feature film at official competition section of the Venice Film Festival since 1998. Saul Williams - American singer-songwriter and musician The Apocryphal Gospel of Oakland- A discussion between artist, Olalekan Jeyifous and UC Berkeley assistant professor of Geography, Dr. Brandi T. Summers on the generative power of collaboration and the potential for speculative architecture as a means to develop comprehensive constructions of urban Utopias/Dystopias that engage with a variety of social, political, and environmental realities. Black Reconstruction Collective -American architecture collective Black Quantum Futurism  - A literary and artistic collective Amanda Williams - Visual Artist Justin Garrett Moore- a transdisciplinary designer and urbanist. Torkwase Dyson - Interdisciplinary artist Norma Merrick Sklarek - American architect Grace Wales Bonner - London-based designer Venice Biennale - an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice,...

    1h 33m

  5. MAR 31

    E92. The People's University with Dr. Carla Hayden

    Hey explorers, it's Dario. Welcome to the IBI podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. Today, we browse the mind of Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama. Dr. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to hold this position at the National Library. As an actual librarian, Dr. Hayden is known for advocating for the privacy of library users and for her initiatives to promote broad access to public libraries and their resources.  Our dialogue today, much like the Library of Congress itself, is a treasure trove of literary jewels. We discuss how the Library of Congress is not your mother’s library, containing priceless artifacts like the Bayard Rustin papers, and a handwritten letter from Nina Simone to Hazel Scott. We talk American literacy rates, how parents can engage reluctant readers, and we even get personal, as Dr. Hayden and i discuss the health challenges black women face in the workplace, especially in positions of power. Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. So grab your library card and a snack… It’s time to check into the people’s university, with Dr. Carla Hayden. Key Links Library Of Congress - the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Nina Simone - American singer-songwriter, pianist, and activist. Hazel Scott - Jazz pianist and singer Enoch Pratt Free Library- the free public library system of Baltimore, Maryland. American Library Association - largest membership association in the world for the library industry. August Wilson - American playwright André Leon Talley - American fashion journalist Citizen DJ - Make music using the free-to-use audio and video materials from the Library of Congress Jessye Norman - American opera singer What to Read Seven Guitars - August Wilson a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-library-nikki-giovanni/17211232?ean=9780358387657" rel="noopener

    1 hr

  6. MAR 17

    E91: From Dancehall to the World with JAWARA

    Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination, where we beam in conversations with iconoclasts from the galaxy of Black genius. I am your host, Dario.  Today, we're thrilled to welcome Jawara, a cutting-edge visionary in all things hair, fashion, and beauty. His work graces the pages of British Vogue, American Vogue Italian Vogue, OK, all the Vogues.., i-D Magazine, T Magazine, and W Magazine… all the lettered magazines.  Not to mention the runways of Burberry, Gucci, Chanel. You understand what I’m saying.  In today’s conversation, Jawara discusses the historical challenges within the industry around the styling and care of black women's hair, how the rituals of haircare can allow us a bit of reprieve from an ever-increasing pace of life, some practical styling tips, and how hair indeed can bring you closer to God.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. And now, a beautifully candid conversation with the maestro, Jawara. Key Links Sister Carol- Jamaican musical artist Kingston, Jamaica- Capital city and chief port of Jamaica Dancehall - genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)- Public college in New York City with focuses on art, business, design, mass communication, and technology connected to the fashion industry. Tyler Mitchell - American photographer, best known for his cover photo of Beyoncé for the cover of Vogue. Micaiah Carter - American photographer/director What to Read Crowns: My Hair, My Soul, My Freedom: Photographs - Sandro Miller Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America - Ayana Byrd On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker - A'Lelia Bundles You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain- Phoebe Robinson What to...

    1h 24m

  7. MAR 3

    E90. Space Agency. with Brigette Romanek

    Welcome to the IBI podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. Today, we explore the mind of Brigette Romanek, one of LA’s foremost Interior designers. As the founder of Romanek Design Studio, some of her notable clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Demi Moore, and even the queen herself, Beyonce. (a fact we can neither confirm nor deny). Known for her “Livable Luxe” Gucci meets Gap aesthetic, Brigette's illustrious career affirms the power and value of the black feminine gaze, and that space is indeed the place.  Our conversation today is full of gems, like simple, affordable tips on sprucing up your space, and discovering your design aesthetic, to more existential questions about what it looks like to refuse the expectations of others, and how to know when it’s time to move on.  Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. And here we go… space agency, with Brigette Romanek. Key Links Paulette McWilliams- American Jazz Singer  Mark Romanek- American filmmaker and photographer Harvey Nichols - British luxury department store chain Romanek Design Studio- Interior designer in Los Angeles, California Carpenters Workshop Gallery - a contemporary art gallery, focused on redefining the boundaries between art, sculpture, and design. The Future Perfect - a leading platform for collectible contemporary design that curates' unique pieces from global designers. What to Read Livable Luxe - Brigette Romanek Iconic Home: Interiors, Advice, and Stories from 50 Amazing Black Designers - Black Interior Designers Inc, June Reese  The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes - Justina Blakeney Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces- Hilton Carter What to listen to Mellow Madness - Quincy Jones, Paulette McWilliams a...

    1h 22m

  8. FEB 18

    E89. Perfection is an Illusion with Kirk Franklin

    Welcome to Semester 6 of the IBI podcast, your Tribe of Mentors, from the Pool of Black Genius. Speaking of Black genius, today’s guest needs no introduction, but we will go ahead and introduce him anyway. Y’all it’s Kirk Franklin. Yes, THAT Kirk Franklin. 19 Grammy Award-winning Kirk Franklin. Contemporary Gospel innovator Kirk Franklin. .. The gifted singing, songwriting, piano-playing, producing, and yes, a rapping, Mr. Kirk Franklin! In case there was any confusion.  We talk about personal pain and trauma. We dismantle the Black church and the traditions that keep us fractured and apart, we wrestle with the notion that life is composed of both moments of happiness and sorrow, but with the unwavering presence of God, regardless of the circumstances, anything is possible. Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram @blackimagination, subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and support the show by clicking this support link. and explore more content on blackimagination.com. And now, without further ado, the musical luminary, Kirk Franklin. Key Links Thomas A. Dorsey- Widely regarded as the father of gospel music Good Words with Kirk Franklin- Kirk Franklin Podcast welcomes people, from all walks of life, seeking inspiration and empowerment. The Dead Sea Scrolls - ancient, mostly Hebrew, manuscripts (of leather, papyrus, and copper) first found in 1947 on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. Southern Baptists Apologize For Slavery Stance - NPR, August 28, 2009  2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (NIV) - Biblical Scripture reference Dr. Charles Stanley - American Southern Baptist pastor and writer Father's Day: A Kirk Franklin Story - YouTube · Kirk Franklin Sep 15, 2023 What to Read The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms - Kirk Franklin  The Evolution of African-American Worship: From the Thomas Dorsey to Kirk Franklin Era  - Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland Church Boy - Kirk Franklin What to listen to Precious Lord, Take My Hand - Thomas Dorsey a...

    1h 13m
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4.9
out of 5
156 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Institute of Black Imagination hosted by artist, writer, and designer Dario Calmese. Each week we bring you conversations from The Pool of Black Genius: a collection of iconoclasts at the leading edge of cultural thought and innovation. We are here to inspire, engage, and to help you unleash your own imagination. Thank you for tuning in! Please don't forget to rate, comment, subscribe and SHARE with a friend (@blackimagination).

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