Black Her Stories: Recent Episodes
Nourish
Black Her Stories reshapes Black history through the inspiring stories of women you may never have heard of. Through nourishing conversations with leading writers, artists, and entertainers, we explore what is possible when creativity meets history - when we tap into our creative power to unlock our purpose.
If you need to reconnect with your creative courage, then this show is for you.
Michaela heads to Chicago for the Fourth of July weekend, where a chance encounter leads her to the Hyde Park Art Center and a studio visit with collage artist Cydney Lewis.
In this conversation, she and Michaela dig into the importance of accepting yourself, why "nothing in nature is square," and how Cydney's work sits between Afrosurrealism and Afrofuturism.
Links and Resources:
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Join BHS on Substack for more stories and reflections. IG — @hydeparkartcenter
- Cydney Lewis: To learn more about Cydney, check out her website. IG — @cydneyml/
- Gabriel Chalfin-Piney-Gonzalez: Spend time with Gabriel's artistic practice on their website. IG — @citrus.history
- Hyde Park Art Center — Explore the amazing exhibits and pay-what-you-can offerings at the Hyde Park Art Center. IG — @hydeparkartcenter
In this bonus episode, Michaela turns the lens toward the people who show up every day — the social workers, coaches, and human services professionals who carry the weight of this work alongside the families they serve.
Through conversations with licensed therapist Jeffery Williams and COTS Director of Coaching and Training LaTonia Walker, we explore what vicarious and secondary trauma actually look like — and what it takes to sustain yourself when you're in close proximity to other people's pain.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in a helping profession, or anyone curious about what wellness might look like when you're a caregiver.
Links and Resources:
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from Black Her Stories.
- COTS — Creating Opportunities to Succeed: Learn more about the organization supporting families experiencing homelessness in Detroit, and how you can get involved or donate. cots-detroit.org
- Follow them on Instagram (@cotsdetroit
- Revive Mind Counseling: Learn more about Jeffery Williams and his private practice. revivemindcounseling.com
- Follow Jeffery on Instagram (@revivemindcounselingservices)
- ACEs — Adverse Childhood Experiences: Learn more about the research behind the ACE score referenced in this episode and how childhood trauma shapes adult outcomes. cdc.gov/ace
In this episode, Michaela steps into the courtyard of Peggy's Place — COTS's emergency shelter on Detroit's west side. What unfolds is an intimate portrait of caregivers navigating homelessness and generational poverty, told through art and honest conversations.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to challenge what they think they know about homelessness — and who gets to tell that story.
Links and Resources:
- COTS — Coalition on Temporary Shelter: Learn more about the organization Creating Opportunities to Succeed for families experiencing homelessness in Detroit. cots-detroit.org
- Follow them on Instagram (@cotsmichigan)
- Detroit Action: Discover the culture and community organizing work of Anthony Baber and the Detroit Action team. detroitaction.org
- Revive Mind Counseling: Learn more about Jeffery Williams and his practice in Southfield, Michigan. revivemindcounseling.com
- Poverty Solutions at U of M: Explore the research behind the child poverty statistics referenced in this episode. poverty.umich.edu
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from Black Her Stories.
In this episode, Michaela returns to COTS — this time at the Peterboro Arms Apartments, a dignified affordable housing community in Detroit's Midtown. With collage materials in hand, she facilitates a workshop that invites residents and staff to examine the narratives they've inherited about poverty — and imagine new ones.
Through intimate conversations, this episode asks: what becomes possible when a community decides to rewrite its story together?
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to challenge the narratives that keep cycles of poverty in place — and find hope in the power of family, chosen or blood, to change them.
Links and Resources:
- COTS — Creating Opportunities to Succeed: Learn more about the organization supporting families experiencing homelessness in Detroit, and how you can get involved or donate. cots-detroit.org
- Follow them on Instagram (@cotsmichigan)
- Detroit Action: Discover the culture and community organizing work of co-facilitator Anthony Baber and the Detroit Action team. detroitaction.org
- Revive Mind Counseling: Learn more about licensed therapist and change agent Jeffery Williams and his practice in Southfield, Michigan. revivemindcounseling.com
- Collages from the Project: To see images from the creative storytelling engagement — including the collages made at Peterboro — visit Black Her Stories on Substack. blackherstories.substack.com
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from Black Her Stories.
In this episode, Michaela is in conversation with Candace and Cidney Calloway of the Detroit Association of Women's Clubs during a live recording of With Love and Flowers, a collaborative event with Black Bottom Archives.
Together, they honor the life and legacy of Dr. Rosa Slade Gragg, a visionary matriarch whose leadership cultivated a space for education, political activism, and collective care in Detroit. From the story of the DAWC clubhouse to the enduring power of archives, this conversation reminds us that our stories are precious—and are best remembered when we tell them ourselves.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to learn more about Black women's leadership, Detroit's living history, and the communities working to preserve both.
Links and Resources: * Detroit Association of Women's Clubs Support the restoration of the historic DAWC clubhouse and learn more about the legacy of Dr. Rosa Slade Gragg and the women who helped shape this enduring institution. * Black Bottom Archives Discover the exhibit From the Bottom Up and the ongoing work of Black Bottom Archives to preserve Detroit's history. * Marsha Music on Black Her Stories Listen back to our conversation with Marsha Music for another doorway into the story of Dr. Rosa Slade Gragg and the DAWC clubhouse. * Black Her Stories Newsletter 💌 Join the newsletter on Substack for updates, reflections, and more stories!
In this episode of Black Her Stories, Michaela welcomes the new year with a playful offering—a sound journal composed of voices, moments, and memories gathered in 2025.
This expression is less about arriving somewhere and more about honoring where we've been.
To view images that accompany these sounds, visit Michaela on Substack and follow Black Her Stories on Instagram for more reflections from the journey.
Links and Resources * BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for a peek behind-the-scenes and join us on Instagram. * Nourish: Discover upcoming workshops, creative offerings, and narrative projects led by Michaela at https://nourish.community/
In this episode of Black Her Stories, Michaela shares the story of a creative collaboration with COTS Detroit, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families experiencing homelessness.
Through conversations with COTS leaders, we explore their radical practice of the Month of Imagination—a full month devoted to rest, reflection, and dreaming beyond limits.
Together, we uncover how imagination fuels transformation, how collaboration builds community, and how rest itself becomes a form of resistance.
Tune in for a story about creativity, care, and the courage to reimagine what's possible when we pause to dream.
Links and Resources * COTS Detroit: Learn more about COTS' mission to break the cycle of generational poverty through housing, partnerships, and family-centered support. https://www.cotsdetroit.org * BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from Black Her Stories. * Nourish: Discover upcoming workshops, creative wellness offerings, and narrative projects led by Michaela and the Nourish team. https://www.nourishevents.org
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 is an affinity space for Black women and is inspired by the practice of world-building.
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To learn more program and enroll, check out our site.
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Intelligent Mischief: Discover the work of Intelligent Mischief and how they unlock the power of Black imagination to fortify their world-building practice.
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While you’re at it, give them a follow on Instagram (@intelligentmischief)
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BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from Black Her Stories.
- Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
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An excellent resource for anyone cultivating a movement-building/facilitation practice. 10/10, highly recommend.
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Queer Times, Black Futures by Kara Keeling
- Alexis Pauline Gumbs
- El Anatsui
In this mini-episode, Michaela sits down with Aisha Shillingford, Creative Director of Intelligent Mischief, to hear the creative journey that led to the Futures of Repair exhibit.
Links and Resources:
- Intelligent Mischief: Discover the world building practice of Intelligent Mischief and learn more about the Futures of Repair exhibit.
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While you’re on the interwebs, give Aisha a follow on Instagram (@aishashillingford)
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BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from 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 Artist as First Responder platform and learn more about the important work of Ashara Ekundayo.
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While you’re at it, give her a follow on Instagram (@blublakwomyn)
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bell hooks: To learn more about our sister, bell hooks, check out this site. To view the performance of ‘Why is We Americans,’ click here.
BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from 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 Artist as First Responder platform and learn more about the important work of Ashara Ekundayo.
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While you’re at it, give her a follow on Instagram (@blublakwomyn)
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Amiri Baraka: To learn more about our brother, Amiri Baraka, check out this site. To view the performance of ‘Why is We Americans,’ click here.
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from 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.
Resources:
- Sign up for Michaela’s Creative Moments newsletter to learn more about her offerings. To listen to Act II, join BHS on Substack.
- Discover the work of Rachel Chapman, Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology.
- Learn more about Ayana Zaire Cotton and Seeda School, a liberatory space that explores Black feminist worldbuilding and creative actualization.
- Check out Wa Na Wari’s work advancing belonging through Black arts and Culture in Seattle.
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. Learn more about her artistic practice and commitment to communal care.
- Birwood House 🏠: Tap in at Birwood House. Subscribe to their newsletter to learn more about this community-minded nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents.
- Black Quantum Futurism 🚀: Dive into the depths of Black Quantum Futurism and learn more about the important work of Moor Mother and Rasheeda Phillips.
- Stateside 🎙️: Subscribe to Stateside to get the 411 on what’s happening across the state of Michigan—from policymakers in Lansing to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more stories from 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 success.
- Join the FBomb community (@fbombbreakfastclub) to gain access to monthly meetings, accountability groups and business resources. Blow up the ordinary on f-bomb at a time.
- Follow that Fran Keep up with Fran (@franchescalamarre) to stay up to date on her food pop-ups (@ayitispaghetti) book clubs (@thisisthepeoplesbookclub), and so much more!
- Learn More About Feed’em Freedom Growers: Explore the work of Myrtle Thompson and Feed'em Freedom Growers (@feedemfreedomgrowers), the Detroit-based farming community featured in the dinner.
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content and interviews on Substack.
Connect with BHS:
- For collaborations and media inquiries, send a message 👉🏿 helloatnourishevents.org
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 (@franchescalamarre) and Mariya (@mariyamoore_russell) to stay informed about their upcoming events. And if you haven’t yet, be sure to give BHS (@blackherstories) a follow.
- Food Pop-Ups 😋: If you’re in Detroit (@ayitispaghetti) or Chicago (@conniesunderground), don’t miss the opportunity to attend their pop-up food events. Prepare to get your grub on!
- BHS Newsletter 💌: Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on episodes, behind-the-scenes insights, and more food stories from 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 Sovereignty: Discover the significance of food sovereignty in Detroit and how it empowers residents.
- Culinary Evolution: Explore how different generations adapt classic recipes to suit modern tastes.
Interactive Links and Resources:
- Photos from the Cook-Off: Feast your eyes on our event photos and share your collard green preferences on Instagram.
- Food Sovereignty Resources: Learn more about Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network and their mission.
- Sign up for our newsletter: Join BHS on substack to get behind the scenes and check out the archive.
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:
- Organizations
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Sidewalk Detroit
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Halima Afi Cassels
- Website: https://www.halimacassells.com/
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IG: halima_afi
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Places of Interest
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Eliza Howell Park
- Rouge River
Tumble down the rabbit hole with Halima Afi Cassells as we dive into the world of eco-art and sustainability. Discover ways to care for Mother Earth, reimagine our relationship with waste, and explore the often unseen impact of microplastics.
In this episode, we take you inside an Eco-Art workshop hosted by Sidewalk Detroit, where Halima and community members transformed trash into an upcycled sculpture for Eliza Howell Park.
Resources & Special Mentions:
- Halima Afi Cassels
- Website: https://www.halimacassells.com/
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IG: halima_afi
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Organizations
- Ecology Center
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Sidewalk Detroit
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Places of Interest
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Eliza Howell Park
- Rouge River
Take a walk with me and Halima Afi Cassells through her garden. Listen as we chat about her artistic journey, sustainability practices, and the Black women in her life that inspire her.
An award-winning, interdisciplinary, community-engaged artist, and mother of three, Halima is an avid gardener whose roots are deeply woven into the soil of Detroit, Michigan.
Halima’s deep connection to nature and how gardening has influenced her art practice resonated with me on a soul level and sparked new pathways in my brain; How can I reduce the harm being done to the planet? What habits do I need to shift to be in right relationship with nature?
An activist just as much as she is an artist, Halima demonstrates her commitment to environmental justice by using non-toxic materials, found objects, and advocating for a share economy. This discipline to reuse rather than consume is woven into Free Market of Detroit, a fashion exchange and upcycling swap lead by Halima, and her upcoming project at Eliza Howell Park, in collaboration with Sidewalk Detroit, which showcases her ability to transform trash into meaningful art.
Resources & Special Mentions: * Halima Afi Cassels -
+ Website: https://www.halimacassells.com/
+ IG: halima\_afi
+ Referenced Works
- Swan Song
- Eco-Art Residency
- Sidewalk Detroit
- Sydney James
- Shanna Merola
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Detroit References
- Belle Isle
◉ Newsletter: https://blackherstories.substack.com/
◉ IG: @blackherstories
Tune in to hear an interview with Gwendolyn Wallace. Together we dive into nuances of navigating strong emotions, the insightful moment that motivated her to write the book, and how Wallace’s early childhood experience informed the Light that She Feels Inside.
👀 Wanna see pictures of our in-person event at the Bronx Children’s Museum? Take a peek at our Instagram to see the magic for yourself.
📖 To purchase a copy of the Light She Feels Inside from a Black-owned bookstore, stop by Bronx Bound Books. You can also purchase the book from the woman-owned publisher, Sourcebooks.
🍭 Interested in collaborating with Black Her Stories? Follow us on Instagram and slide into our DMs.
🎶 Listen to my BHS S3 playlist. There’s no wrong way to listen, but shuffle is the most fun.
In this episode, we dip our baby toes into a conversation with Gwendolyn Wallace. Gwendolyn Wallace is a New York City-based researcher, storyteller, and children’s literature author. Her work for both children and adults centers Afrodiasporic voices to explore the unfolding relationship between the spatial logics of colonialism and our body-minds.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The emotional complexity of Black Childhood
- Nina Simone
- The Light That She Feels Inside
Ways to get in touch with King Sophia:
- Website: https://kingsophiamusic.com/
- IG: kingsophiamusic
Ways to get in touch with Gwendolyn Wallace
- Website: https://www.gwendolynwallace.com/
- IG: g.m.wallace
Ways to get in touch with Black Her Stories
- https://nourish.community/contact
- IG: @blackherstories
In this episode, we explore the lessons of leadership Jahmad Canley. Jahmad is a husband, father, community member, and the president of Potential Unleashed, business coaching company specializing in providing solutions to companies, teams, and individuals of every description through improved performance and increased human effectiveness. Together, we elevate the impact of his Grandma, Betty Jo Davis, and discuss her unique expressions of leadership.
In this episode, we explore the possibilities of the Black imagination with architect Donna Carter. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Donna D. Carter is the President of Carter Design Associates, an architectural, planning, and restoration firm in Austin, Texas. Her practice is focused on projects that combine revitalization, historic preservation, and new construction within a community context.
A shaper of physical spaces, Donna and her firm have received numerous awards including the Texas Society of Architecture’s Design Award and the Preservation Texas Award for the Restoration of the Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room, which is Fort Worth’s largest and most extravagant example of Art Deco architecture.
As a civic leader, Donna has held many volunteer and board positions that keep her active in her community. From participating in numerous Austin planning and development task force committees to being a Fellow of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, Donna has dedicated her life to being of service.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Thinking creatively about spaces
- How to nourish a creative spirit
Resources:
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Donna Carter
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Carter Design Associates
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AIA Profiles - Donna Carter
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Places of Interest
- Austin Public Library Architecture
- Pruitt-Igoe Housing Project (VIDEO)
◉ Website: https://nourish.community/podcast
◉ Substack: https://blackherstories.substack.com/
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Advertising Inquiries: hello@nourishevents.org
In this episode, we explore the possibilities of the Black imagination with architect Donna Carter. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Donna D. Carter is the President of Carter Design Associates, an architectural, planning, and restoration firm in Austin, Texas. Her practice is focused on projects that combine revitalization, historic preservation, and new construction within a community context.
A shaper of physical spaces, Donna and her firm have received numerous awards including the Texas Society of Architecture’s Design Award and the Preservation Texas Award for the Restoration of the Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room, which is Fort Worth’s largest and most extravagant example of Art Deco architecture.
As a civic leader, Donna has held many volunteer and board positions that keep her active in her community. From participating in numerous Austin planning and development task force committees to being a Fellow of the Center for Heritage Conservation at Texas A&M University, Donna has dedicated her life to being of service.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Preservation Architecture in the context of the Black community
- Reimagining Black History and reclaiming the Black Imagination
Resources:
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Donna Carter
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Carter Design Associates
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AIA Profiles - Donna Carter
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Places of Interest
- Austin Public Library
- Texas and Pacific Terminal Waiting Room
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Advertising Inquiries: hello@nourishevents.org
Hello, and Happy Black History Month!
In this mini-episode, BHS creator and host, Michaela Ayers, invites you to cozy up on the couch for a friendly catch up. This year Black Her Stories celebrates her 5th birthday so now is the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and share what is coming next in season three.
◉ Substack: https://blackherstories.substack.com/
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Website: Nourish.community/podcast
In this episode, we stroll into a conversation with the artist formerly known as Michaela Ayers. With a BFA in Art History from the University of Kansas and a studio practice of collage, ceramics, and fiber arts, multi-disciplinary artist Mickey D is ready to be seen.
Facilitated by BHS co-producer Jassmine Parks, this interview dives into Mickey's early childhood curiosities and inspirations. We also chat about her creative routine and the distinction between her collage and ceramics practice.
Our special guest in this episode is someone who knows Michaela’s creative impulses very well; her mom Virginia Ayers. Tune in to this family affair, y’all.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The inner child
- Mothers, Grandmothers
- Cultures of Hospitality
- Malcolm X
Resources:
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People of Interest
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- Malcolm X
◉ Newsletter: https://blackherstories.substack.com/
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Get in touch: hello@nourishevents.org
In this episode, we’re floating through the conversations that we’ve had in this season. Tune in to hear a compilation of conversations that stitch together some of our favorite moments and give you a hint at where Black Her Stories is going next.
In this episode, you hear from:
- Judy Bowman (judybowmanartist)
- Takeisha Jefferson (takeishaart)
- Sydney James (sydneygjames)
- Sabrina Nelson (sabrinanelson67)
- Yvette Rock (yvetterockdetroit)
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Advertising Inquiries: hello@nourishevents.org
In this episode, we’re following the creative energy of the city and talking to Detroiters about the art and impact of Sydney James. Murals play an important role in Motor City and this year happened to be the next installment of BLKOUT Walls, the biannual mural festival co-founded by Sydney James. So we popped up at the closing Block Party to chat with community members and the artists who participated in the festival.
In this episode, we spoke to:
- Demien De Yonte (@deyonte6908)
- Khristyn Richardson (kris.goesrawr)
- Luis Bloom (@luis.bloom)
- Joe Cazino (@cashiesh)
Resources:
- Sydney James
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Websites:
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https://www.sydneygjames.com/
- https://www.blkoutwalls.com/
- FB: Sydney James Art
- IG: sydneygjames
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Advertising Inquiries: hello@nourishevents.org
In this episode, we ride into a conversation with Sydney James. Fine arts painter and muralist Sydney G. James is a girl proudly raised in Detroit. With a BFA from the College for Creative Studies and a background in commercial art, James is a figurative artist whose bold brush strokes have humanized Detroit’s industrial skyline.
Not limited to one dimension, Sydney’s artwork can be found in private collections, galleries, museums, or on a pair of shoes. Her visual narratives project the complex realities of Black women while interrogating the concepts of safe spaces and community care.
A 2017 Kresge Arts Fellow and a dedicated mentor, Sydney is also the co-founder of BLKOUT Walls, a biannual street mural festival that elevates Black artists and stimulates the city’s creative economy.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Black Love
- Girl with the D Earring
- BLKOUT Walls Street Mural Festival
- Empowerment
Resources:
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Sydney James
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https://www.sydneygjames.com/
- https://www.blkoutwalls.com/
- FB: Sydney James Art
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IG: sydneygjames
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Detroit References
- Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club
- Conant Gardens
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Highland Park
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People of Interest
- Linda Whitaker
- Jonni Page
- Halima Afi Cassells
- Jadakiss
◉ Newsletter: https://blackherstories.substack.com/
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Get in touch: hello@nourishevents.org
In this episode, we float weightlessly into a conversation with Sabrina Nelson. Nelson is a painter by degree from Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. Influenced by Yoruba Religion, as well as Eastern and African philosophies, Sabrina’s work is a combination of spirit, motion, and intimacy. Not limited by two dimensions, the scope of her work also includes sculpture, objects, performance and installations.
With professional appointments at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the College for Creative Studies, Sabrina Nelson has served as an educator, lecturer, and professional artist for 37 years. Coaching her community on the business of being a professional artist through active studio practice and mentoring.
A tenacious creator whose multi-dimensional art is truly out of this world, Sabrina Nelson is also a recipient of the 2022 Women’s Caucus for Arts Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2021 Kresge Arts Fellow.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Muses
- James Baldwin
- Artivism
- The way Black women tell stories
Learn more:
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Sabrina Nelson
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Professional Website
- IG: sabrinanelson67
- Ashara Ekundayo
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Ashara Ekundayo Gallery
- IG: asharaekundayogallery
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Detroit References
- James Baldwin Hangout Spots
- Bakers Keyboard Lounge
- Cliff Bells
- Willis Show Bar
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- Rosie’s Diner
- Gallery Camille
- Hermon Futrell
- Kef Parker (IG: kefparker55)
- Andrew Wilson (IG: drewberzzz)
- James Baldwin Hangout Spots
In this episode, we’re following the joyful rhythm of the city and talking to Detroiters about their style and art of Judy Bowman.
In this episode, we talk to:
- Brianna L Jones,
- Chanel Oldham
- Chuck Micheaux
- Crystal Delahugh
- Crystal Marie
- Valencia Davis
Resources:
- Judy Bowman
- Websites:
- https://www.judybowman.com/
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IG: judybowmanartist
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References
- Sugar Hill Historic District
- Krispy Addicts
- Tonico Brand
- Avenue of Fashion
- Fox Theater
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Support this podcast at — https://nourish.community/donate/
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In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Judy Bowman. Bowman is a mixed-media collage artist whose figurative works celebrate the rhythm and beauty woven into the fabric of Black American culture. Born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit, Judy uses vibrant colors and textured paper to illustrate visual narratives of her family, friends, and the everyday elegance of her community.
Considering herself a visual griot, she sees her job to tell stories that are reflective of her coming-of-age in Detroit’s Eastside and Black Bottom neighborhoods. Often compared to Romare Bearden, she too is committed to a Black aesthetic and her craft. Judy Bowman is the recipient of the 2023 Mack Alive Ambassador Fine Art Collection Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2022 Alain Locke Recognition Art Awardee, and a 2021 Kresge Artist Fellow.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Jazz and the Importance of Practice
- Detroit Style and Fashion in the Black Community
- Pride, Dignity, and Respect
Resources:
-
Judy Bowman
- https://www.judybowman.com/
- IG: judybowmanartist
- Websites:
-
References
- Detroit Uprising of 1967
- AfriCOBRA
- Romare Bearden
- Charles White
- Jacob Lawrence
Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast
◉ IG: @blackherstories
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In the spirit of constant experimentation and eternal expansion, we’re doing things a little differently this season.
As we continue to explore Detroit as a character through creative storytelling, we thought, what better way to uplift diverse narratives than to let Detroiter speak for themselves?
So we’re hitting the streets, talking to strangers, and passing the microphone to members of the community to hear what they have to say.
This very first Community Voice episode was a collaboration between Michaela Ayers and Jassmine Parks. We hope you enjoy.
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◉ IG: @blackherstories
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In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Yvette Rock. Rock was born in Paramaribo, Suriname in 1975. She received a BFA in 1997 from Cooper Union in New York City and an MFA in Painting from the University of Michigan in 1999. Yvette is the co-founder of Detroit Connections at U of M, and founder and Executive Director of Live Coal - a non-profit organization in Detroit. She has been an artist-in-residence in Detroit schools since 1999, and an active member of her community as a professional artist for 24 years.
Yvette exhibits widely throughout southeast Michigan. Her accolades include three Knight Arts Challenge awards and a Documenting Detroit Fellowship. As a visual artist, community development activist, wife, and mother of five children, Yvette brings a wealth of life experience and insight into her art practice.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The power of play and experimentation
- Paramaribo, Suriname
- Memory & Motherhood
Resources:
-
Yvette Rock
- www.yvetterock.com
- www.livecoal.org
- Websites:
-
Referenced Works
- In Cedars Loving Arms
-
Detroit RePatched
-
Awards
- Three-time Knight Arts Challenge Awardee.
- Documenting Detroit Fellowship
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community/podcast
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Support this podcast at — https://nourish.community/donate/
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In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Takeisha Jefferson. Jefferson is a Michigan native and a seasoned portrait photographer passionate about art history. Her subjects frequently include her family, and her oeuvre also touches on Black womanhood and empowerment themes.
Her photographic storytelling has earned her a feature on Google Arts and Culture and a spotlight in Aida Amoaka's book As We See It: Artists Reshaping Black Identity, which showcases 30 black artists from around the world. As a disabled veteran, wife, and mother of four, Takeisha brings a wealth of life experience and insight into her art practice.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The power of the image
- The gaze
- How to advocate for Black women artists
In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Takeisha Jefferson. Jefferson is a Michigan native and a seasoned portrait photographer who has a passion for art history. Her subjects frequently include her family, and her oeuvre also touches on themes of Black womanhood and empowerment.
Her photographic storytelling has earned her a feature on Google Arts and Culture and a spotlight in Aida Amoaka's book As We See It: Artists Reshaping Black Identity, which showcases 30 black artists from around the world. As a disabled veteran, wife, and mother of four, Takeisha brings a wealth of life experience and insight into her art practice.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The power of representation, advocacy, and the image
- The gaze
- How to advocate for Black women artists
Resources:
-
Takeisha Jefferson
- Website: https://takeishas.com/
-
Referenced Works
-
Google Arts and Culture
-
Affiliations & Awards
-
- Nominated - Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2021 - Wetzlar, Germany
- Committee Member - My Sisters and Me Women of Color Photographers
- Member - Women of Color Unite
- Member - Detriot Fine Arts Breakfast Club
- Member - Women’s Caucus for Art
-
- Carrie Mae Weems
- Website: http://carriemaeweems.net/
-
Referenced Works
- The Kitchen Table Series
-
Jassmine Parks
- Referenced Work
- blk
- Referenced Work
◉ Get in Touch: Nourish.community
◉ IG: @blackherstories
◉ Support this podcast at — https://nourish.community/donate/
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Hello there!
It's been a minute, but Black Her Stories (BHS) is back! Catch up with BHS creator and host, Michaela Ayers, as she reflects on 2022 and looks ahead at what's on the horizon of a new year.
In season two, we continue our quest of unearthing stories of Black women based in Detroit, Michigan with a focus on visual artists. Together, we'll explore the roles of community, creativity, and history as sources of individual and collective power.
Through conversations with the city's eminent and emerging artists, we will find meaning in colors, shapes, symbols, and textures. We really hope you'll join us!
Season two of Black Her Stories will launch in March. Like, follow, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
In 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
- American Family: A Syndrome
-
Tapping Out
-
Vievee Francis
- About: Vievee Francis
- Referenced Works
-
Forest Primeval
-
Detroit References
- Hart Plaza
- The Ambassador Bridge
- Belle Isle
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◉ IG: @nourish____
◉ Support this podcast at — https://nourish.community/donate/
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In this episode, we wade into a conversation with Jean Alicia Elster. Jean Alicia Elster is an author of young adult novels and children’s books. A native Detroiter and former attorney, Elster has published a number of books including - Joe Joe in the City, Who is Jim Hines?, The Colored Car, and How it Happens. Together, we celebrate the work of Ida B. Wells-Barnette. She was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Over the course of a lifetime dedicated to combating prejudice and violence, and the fight for African-American equality, especially that of women, Wells arguably became the most famous Black woman in the United States. As a skilled writer, Wells-Barnett also used her skills as a journalist to shed light on the conditions of African Americans throughout the South.
We explore how Wells-Barnette’s practice of courageous truth-telling connects to Elster’s role as a writer of young adult fiction. Jean also shares how we might better take care of our inner child and take much-needed time to process.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How people and community reinforce our sense of self
- The importance of life lessons and overcoming obstacles
- How to take care and protect our inner child
Resources:
-
Jean Alicia Elster -
- Website: http://jeanaliciaelster.com
- Referenced Works
- Joe, Joe in the City Series
- The Colored Car
- How It Happens
-
Ida B. Wells-Barnette
- About: Black Past: Ida Wells-Barnette
- Referenced Works
- On Lynching
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◉ IG: @nourish____
◉ Support this podcast at — https://nourish.community/donate/
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In this episode, we dig into a conversation with Marsha Music. Marsha is the daughter of pre-Motown record producer Joe Von Battle. She’s also an acclaimed writer of essays, poems, and narratives on life in Detroit.
Together, we celebrate the work of Betty DeRamus. Betty DeRamus is a veteran and award-winning journalist, DeRamus was the jury’s pick and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1993. She has been awarded a Michigan Press Association Award, as well as a Deems Taylor award for a profile of Roberta Flack published in Essence. A passion for the troubles and triumphs of ordinary people, Betty DeRamus wrote two nonfiction books, Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad and Freedom by Any Means: True Stories of Cunning and Courage on the Underground Railroad.
We explore how DeRamus’s practice of creative storytelling connects to Music’s role as a griot in the Black community. Marsha also discusses how the history of Detroit informs her identity as a writer.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The history of Detroit and the Black Bottom Neighborhood
- The importance and validity of oral history
- How to find inspiration in the place where you live
Resources:
- Marsha Music -
- Website: https://marshamusic.wordpress.com/
- Referenced Works
-
The Detroitist
-
Betty DeRamus
- About: https://mijournalismhalloffame.org/betty-deramus/
- Referenced Works
- Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad
- Freedom by Any Means: True Stories of Cunning and Courage on the Underground Railroad.
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◉ IG: @nourish____
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In this episode, we get into conversation with La Shaun Phoenix Moore. Moore is a Detroit-based vocalist, spoken word artist, activist, culture creator, and wife. She is the recipient of the 2020 and 2021 Creators of Culture Award by CultureSource. Phoenix is currently working on a memoir that examines the complexities of the Mother Wound. The Mother wound is a type of intergenerational trauma that is informed by how we have experienced mothering. We also discuss the contributions of Natasha T Miller through her book Butcher. Natasha, is a Detroit native, performance poet, LGBTQ activist, film producer, founder of the “Artists Inn Detroit” and so much more.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Vulnerability.
- Multiplicity
- Motherhood
Resources:
- La Shaun Phoenix Moore -
- IG: Detroit Phoenix
- Youtube: La Shaun Phoenix Moore
-
The Motherwound
-
Natasha T Miller
- IG : natashatmiller
- Facebook @tmillerpoetry
- Twitter @tmillerpoetry
- Butcher
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◉ IG: @nourish____
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In this episode, we dig into a conversation with Imani Nichele. Imani is a Detroit-based poet, rapper, singer, and songwriter. She is the 2018 Detroit Youth Poet Laureate. Her writing has been featured by the Heidelberg Project, Fox Sports, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. In this conversation, we celebrate the work of Lucille Clifton (1936-2010). Clifton is known for her unique writing style that underscores ‘clear truth-telling.’ Her sharp, small poems employ understated yet imaginative language that invites the reader into the inner world of a Black woman. We trace the interconnection between Clifton’s inner world exploration and Imani’s unique perspective as a creative who gives herself permission to be who she is, unapologetically. And who is charting her course through the history that’s being made in the here and now.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Art as a tool for empathy
- Reparenting
- The power of questions
Resources:
- Imani Nichele -
-
IG: imaninichele_
-
Lucille Clifton
- Biography: The Poetry Foundation
- Referenced Poems:
- the lost baby poem
- won’t you celebrate with me
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◉ IG: @nourish____
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In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Brittany Rogers. Brittany is a poet, creator, educator, and proud native Detroiter. She is a fellow of VONA, The Watering Hole, Poetry Incubator, and Pink Door Writing Retreat. Her writing has been anthologized in The BreakBeat Poets: Black Girl Magic and Best of the Net. Brittany is also Editor-in-Chief for Muzzle Magazine, an M.F.A. candidate, and a Blackburn Fellow at Randolph College. Together, we celebrate the work of Aricka Foreman. Aricka is an American poet and interdisciplinary writer from Detroit MI. Author of the chapbook Dream with a Glass Chamber, and Salt Body Shimmer (YesYes Books), she has earned fellowships from Cave Canem, Callaloo, and the Millay Colony for the Arts. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Offing, and spends her time in Chicago, IL engaging poetry with photography & video. We thread the needle between Foreman’s practice of protective truth-telling with Roger’s rituals of delight. Brittany also discusses how she exercises creative risk-taking by infusing a sense of wonder and delight. In this episode, we talk about:
- The Great Migration in the context of Detroit
- Infusing honesty with a sense of protection & care
- Creative Risk-taking
Resources:
- Brittany Roger -
- IG: brittanyerogers
-
Website: https://www.brittanyrogers.org/
-
Aricka Foreman
- IG : blkfemmepoetics
- Website: https://www.arickaforeman.com/
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◉ IG: @nourish____
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Hosted by Michaela Ayers, this series illuminates the lives and legacies of Black women - past and present - who inspire us and shape our stories.
In season one, we’re talking to Black women writers in Detroit, Michigan to learn how community informs a creative. And what possibilities exist when creativity meets history.
The series premieres on March 9th. Subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts.