The Institute of Black Imagination Podcast

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, we sit down with activist, organizer, and founder of the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Elle Moxley. Elle takes us on a journey through the heart of activism, the lessons learned from movement-building, and the power of Black trans leadership. She shares her experiences with Black Lives Matter, the founding of her own organization, and her reflections on love, resilience, and desire. This conversation is one of power, truth, and transformation.

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.

In today’s episode, Chester reflects on the near-death childhood experience at the age of 9 that opened his eyes to a parallel reality, introducing him to the spirit that shapes existence. He shares his insights on the interconnectedness of life, the continuous cycle of energy, and the pursuit of capturing the elusive spirit in his photographs.

Today, we embark on a profound journey with the iconic Emory Douglas. As the former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Emory's art ignited a revolution. Today’s conversation is a retelling of artmaking in revolutionary times, and what it means to create new identities within a community.

In this enlightening chat, Lena shares her roots, tracing back to her grandmother's brave journey from Arkansas to Chicago. We explore the concept of identity, her take on 'ladylike,' and how she's embraced her individuality. Lena reflects on how societal expectations shape identity and the importance of curiosity and meaningful conversations.

Our guest today is none other than visionary photographer, Andre D. Wagner. With a lens that tells stories in a way that words cannot, Andre has made a significant mark in the world of photography. He has been commissioned by The New Yorker, The New York Times, Esquire, W Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Vogue, well, YouTube the picture. In addition to his editorial work, he was the creative force behind the promotional imagery for the film "Queen & Slim" in 2019.

Today we have a truly inspiring conversation that delves into the power of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformational journey of one extraordinary individual, photographer, entrepreneur, and social activist, Misan Harriman, a name that has become synonymous with the art of storytelling through the lens. The first brother to shoot a cover for British Vogue in its 104-year history.

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of literature on Dwayne's transformation, his encounters with influential poets like Sonia Sanchez, and the survival strategies that poetry offered him during his incarceration.

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 39 with Timnit Gebru an artificial intelligence researcher. Timnit advocates for fair and just use of the technology we use everyday. A former employee of Google, Timnit consistently calls in and calls out a Big Tech industry that leverages power, capital, and bias in favor of, well, themselves and their wallets. From language to surveillance- Timnit knows the potential harms of artificial intelligence know no bounds.

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 3 with writer Casey Gerald. Born in Oak Cliff Texas, Casey’s life reads like a textbook definition of The American Dream. Recorded via Zoom while under lockdown, we speak about when Casey realized the "American Dream" was a scam, how he rediscovered his inner child, the malleability of time, what prisons and the coronavirus have in common, the joy of blackness, and Casey shows us a side of himself he rarely ever does. This episode takes on a more conversational tone, and a few F-bombs are dropped, be warned, lol.

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 23 with Heather McGhee. Heather designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. In this episode we discuss Heather’s journey into the hallowed halls of our country’s government, How motherhood has changed her view of the world, what parents can do to ensure their children receive good educations, even while under lockdown, and how we ALL lose in the zero-sum game of racism.

In this episode, he shares the importance of food origins as a space for reclamation and what it means to examine who and what’s being left out of the story. We explore Stephen’s own origin story–growing up in Atlanta in the ’80s–along with topics that range from his start as a young sommelier, the implications of citizens being divorced from food culture, and ultimately how being crushed by a series of life events propelled his career forward; leading him from self-doubt to conviction.