13th Floor Lounge Podcast - Beatrix Moss

Atlanta-based artist Pellom McDaniels, III is best known for his work as a scholar, historian, and curator of African American collections at Emory University. He is the author of Porter, Steward, Citizen: An African American's Memoir of World War I (2017), The Prince of Jockeys: The Life of Isaac Burns Murphy (2013) and has contributed essays to anthologies such as Before Jackie Robinson: The Transcendent Role of Black Sports Pioneers (2017), The Olympics and Philosophy (2012), and All Stars and Movie Stars: Sports in Film History (2010). His first screenplay titled The Prince of Jockeys has been optioned and is in pre-production.

Kevin Sipp is a fine artist, independent scholar, and curator with expertise in printmaking, painting, sculpture and multi-media installation. A Florida native, he has lived and worked in Georgia since the early 90's where he received a BA in Printmaking from the Atlanta College of Art. Sipp's fine art works have appeared in solo and group exhibitions throughout the country and internationally. His fine art prints have been featured in exhibitions by noted curators such as renowned Master Printmaker Malcolm Christian, Founder of Caversham Press in Balgowan, South Africa. His foundational aesthetic focus examines the spiritual, political, social, and historical influence of African derived culture in the world often making references to African Myth, Afro-Futurism, Cultural Identity, Colonial History, past and contemporary music, politics and comics.Kevin is a highly sought-after public speaker whose lectures have inspired and entertained audiences at college campuses such as Brandeis University and the Emory University Michael C. Carlos Museum, including Arnall Golden & Gregory Law Firm, festivals and comic book conventions. His poetry has also been featured during the National Black Arts Festival sharing the stage with such luminaries as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez and the poets of the Nuyorican Cafe. Kevin is currently the curator at the City of Atlanta's Gallery 72.Kevin's graphic novel The Amazing Adventures of David Walker Blackstone may be purchased at Lulu by clicking here and you can explore the wonderful arts programming offered this fall by City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs by clicking here.   

Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates has developed an expanded practice that includes space development, object making, performance and critical engagement with many publics. Founder of the non-profit Rebuild Foundation, Gates is currently a Professor in the Department of Visual Art and Director of Arts and Public Life at the University of Chicago.

There is more to the arts than meets the eye. What happens behind the scenes and away from the public gaze is often what powers art making, exhibition and performance. This week we chop it up with new Fulton County Arts and Culture Director Lionell Thomas to get some insight.

Literary heavy hitter Malaika Adero joins us in the studio to discuss book publishing, the legacy of African American literary excellence and her new projects.

Shanti Das, Lil John Roberts and Jason Orr join Leatrice to discuss their experiences with Prince, his impact on culture, his legacy and why this hurts so damn much.

Gina Paige from africanancestry.com visits the 13th Floor Lounge this week to share valuable information on how DNA technology has helped thousands of African Americans find thier roots.

On this week's 13th Floor Lounge we take a look at how contemporary beauty trends have impacted black identity and ideals of beauty with beauty expert Lisa Pope

Drummer Terreon Gully visits us in the lounge this week to discuss music, the musician's life and the long train of opportunity.

Marc Bamuthi Joseph and Daniel Roumain join me and Donna in The Lounge this week. They gave us life! In Atlanta for a reprisal of Home In 7 with the Atlanta Ballet, Marc and Daniel share wonderful insight on art, activism, collaboration, community and a million nuances that occupy the space in between. Enjoy!

Author and scholar Valerie Boyd joins us this week to discuss her journey with Zora when she wrote Wrapped In Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston and her current walk with Alice Walker as she curates Alice Walker's journal for a book to be released in 2017.

Arts enthusiast Imara Canady joins us in the lounge to give us tips and tricks on how to access the arts on a shoestring budget. From Broadway to apps that help you in your local market, Imara has got you covered!

We sit down with Ronda Penrice, author of African American History for Dummies to discuss the past, present and future of Black Lives in America.

Aku Kadogo is an international theatre director, choreographer, educator and creative producer of cultural arts projects. This multi-faceted artist directs highly energetic, imaginative theatre works and has produced a number of collaborative interdisciplinary projects. Her eclectic career has spanned across the United States, Australia, Europe and Asia.

Okorie has been playing cello for more than 30 years. A graduate of Morehouse College, Okorie played with Spelman College’s string ensemble, and has studied with Oliver Edel at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC. His specialty is melodic cello accompaniment to acoustic, guitar-based soul, folk and jazz.

Our first guest is friend, visual artist, scholar and karaoke king Fahamu Pecou. His works combine observations on hip-hop, fine art and popular culture. Pecou’s paintings, performance art, and academic work addresses concerns around contemporary representations of Black masculinity and how these images impact both the reading and performance of Black masculinity.