CHROMA is a cross-disciplinary creative studio founded by Ladin Awad, June Canedo & Sienna Fekete. As a collective, we are intentional in our efforts to diversify our industries and nurture a cultural consciousness that centers womxn of color. Chroma offers strategies for innovative programming, vis…
In this conversation we speak with stylists Kyle Luu and Jess Willis, and designer Recho Omondi about their respective experiences navigating the fashion industry. Going beyond the surface level discussions re: “representation” and “diversity”, we learn about their personal journeys, work ethic, what their methods of self-preservation are, and how they’re each contributing to necessary changes in the fashion industry.
In this conversation, we spoke with Dr. Margaret Rose Vendryes, Ruth Gebreyesus, Marcel Rosasalas and Isabel Flower on the importance of archiving, the work and/or experiences that inform archiving, their journeys, and the ways in which the practice contributes to sustaining and preserving the narratives and histories of womxn of color. @mrvendreyes @root_g @marcelrosasalas @isabelflower
This conversation from our second conference series was an exploration of the ways in which womxn of color navigate the music; how we create space for ourselves and our communities, on our own terms. Chroma spoke to Dion McKenzie who makes music as Tygapaw, Yulan Grant aka Shyboi and Thanushka Yakupitiyage who goes by DJ Ushka. We learned about their tools in practicing autonomy within various facets of the music world, NYC nightlife and beyond. @tygapaw @ty_ushka @yu_who
Chroma is back to work and excited to share our conversations from last year's conference held at the Knockdown Center on the subject of "self-preservation." Starting with our conversation titled, "Cultural Sustainability", where Mennlay Aggrey, Nia Hampton, and Antonia Perez share their methods of sustainable develop frameworks within their specific fields of research. In this episode you'll hear ideas on local medicinal knowledge, global blackness, varied definitions and practices of sustainability and much more. @chroma.ny @mennlay @antonita_la_brujita @_nianderthal This podcast is supported by Red Bull Arts
Octavia Bürgel (b. 1997) is a New York City based photographer and artist currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Studio Art and Comparative Literature at Oberlin College. She currently serves as the co-chair of F+ABB (FQTPOC Artists Breaking Boundaries), an organization dedicated to spotlighting the work of marginalized artists of all mediums, as well as the Music Director at WOBC 91.5 fm. @_octa_ This podcast is supported by Red Bull Arts with the help of Hasan Insane.
In this episode “Familial Archives,” we invited Elle Clay to share some photos, music, and stories from her family’s archive. Elle is the brains behind the 306 LATE video series, produces and hosts the Sports Bra podcast, A/D/O’s Homo Sapiens, I Hear You seminar series and is also a producer for the Cool Moms podcast. She produces all of her work through her production company, WILD CHILD NYC. WILD CHILD NYC is a Brooklyn based production company specializing in experimental storytelling, and is dedicated to crafting and illuminating marginalized narratives. On this episode, we discussed the importance and influence of archives, considering archival work in the digital age, the tangibility and history of physical photos, and how we can create similar experiences in a time when everything is digitized. Follow Elle on instagram: @southernelle This podcast is supported by @redbullarts with the help of @hasaninsane Playlist: Kiss of Life - Sade Spread Love - Take 6 Can’t You See - Total Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This - Rachelle Ferrell Love Soulda Brought You Home - Toni Braxton Nuthin’ but a G thang - Dr. Dre If I Was Your Girlfriend - Prince Brown Sugar - D’Angelo This Is How It Works - TLC Who Can I Run To - Xscape
In this conversation, we explore the different methods of reclaiming and redefining our narratives through image making. Joined by Shaniqwa Jarvis, Martine Gutierrez, and Cynthia Cervantes, we discuss the importance of challenging the linear images associated with our respective communities and the power of storytelling through visual work. @maroonworld @sheekswinsalways @martine.tv Supported by Red Bull Arts
Water Earth Air Fire is a mix by DJ Ushka and a conversation on sustainability. DJ Ushka is one of our favorites DJ’s and an organizer whose work prioritizes climate change and immigrant rights. This conversation also invites Celine Semaan, an advocate, writer, and designer who is committed to sustainability. You’ll hear an incredible mix that grooves us through water, earth, air, and fire accompanied by an important exchange of information on sustainability in between each element. DJ Ushka: https://soundcloud.com/djushka Slow Factory: https://slowfactory.com/pages/about-us
Personal Political Digital Expression invites Guadalupe Rosales of Veteranas & Rucas, Elyse Fox of Sad Girls Club, and Ifrah Ahmed of Araweelo Abroad to discuss online entrepreneurial essentials. This conversation introduces us to their entrepreneurial journeys and aims to unpack how the internet has shaped their views on creative expression, prescribed and ascribed identities, role constraints, civic engagement, and community responsibility. https://www.instagram.com/veteranas_and_rucas/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/sadgirlsclub/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/araweeloabroad/?hl=en Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by: Tygapaw
In the studio with Chroma's Sienna Fekete, Kafilah Muhammad aka Kfeelz plays us a few of her favorite tracks while they discuss the many ways womxn of color navigate the music industry. Kfeelz talks us through her introduction to house and techno, it's roots, and how she hopes that womxn of color continue to carve out space and autonomy in the music world. The mix starts with Kfeelz's favorite ambient tracks followed by tunes from South Africa and Brazil. Kfeelz is from Brooklyn, New York. She is part of Miss/chief, an all femme DJ collective of womxn of color. https://soundcloud.com/kfeelz Supported by Red Bull Arts
This conversation aims to unpack the model minority myth, and how each panelist has either struggled or combatted this concept of classism that has its roots in white supremacy and Western exceptionalism. Ali Rosa-Salas, Fariha Roisin, and Diana Oh shared their experiences around expectations, empowerment, familial responsibility, and the identity politics that come with the territory of such an imposed title. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
This conversation seeks to unpack the many ways womxn of color interact with violence; from familial baggage to community accountability, and the general overarching ways that society contributes to unsafe environments for woc. Joined by Parissah Lin, Jamy Drapeza, and Tsige Tafesse we discuss how certain forms of violence manifest in our day to day lives, the ways in which it has manifested through language, and how we can individually and collectively navigate these experiences. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
We invited several womxn from our community to share how they create financial models of stability and sustainability in their respective careers. Joined by Natalia Linares, Hawa Arsala and Vanessa Newman, this conversation is centered on notions of economic justice, alternative ways of building wealth, financial literacy, creating longevity for womxn of color, and their individual journeys to financial empowerment. Disclaimer * during the introduction we refer to Natalia Linares by her instagram name (Nati Corazon) by mistake.
This conversation explores the relationship between health and activism. The discussion features Lori Adelman, Gabriela Alvarez, Aala Marra, and Cloud Nagy - experts in their field as educators, healers, chefs, advocates, and activists. We hear about the importance of reproductive justice, mindfulness and mental health, as well as the significance of sourcing local food and plants for our communities. This conversation serves as a toolkit, a skillshare, and a community resource for womxn of color. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
This conversation is deeply nuanced and indicative of what it feels like to talk about intersectionality. Throughout the discussion, we attempt to create new definitions and describe what intersectionality means in the context of our individual lives. Cruz Valdez and Stefa Alarcon talk about their needs for their own communities, while centering the notion of allowing folks the agency to decide for themselves how they prefer people show up for them, and how they imagine community empowerment. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
In this conversation artists Diana Gordon and Phoebe Collings-James prove to us the power of centering our personal narratives. Both womxn introduce us to their worlds, their upbringings, and the many powerful lessons they have to impart from their experiences navigating their personal lives and careers. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
In this episode, guest moderated by Ayasha Guerin, we hear from Elise Peterson, Maria Jose, Sasha Bonet, and Maia Cruz Palileo. This conversation explored the varied perspectives of “representative” positions versus positions of power as womxn of color. We also hear about the importance of inclusionary language and storytelling that allows for the spectrum of experiences of womxnhood, and how alternative and intergenerational forms of caring and parenting challenge the heteronormative nuclear family model. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
This episodes is an introduction into the concept of self-actualization from the perspectives of Jazmin Jones and Lumi Tan. Jazmin is an artist and a member of BUFU and Lumi is a curator at The Kitchen. We hear their thoughts on the notion of self actualizing their goals, how they’ve navigated their personal potentials and how they’ve managed to individually redefine what success and or achievement means to them. Disclaimer * this was the first episode recorded during our conference series. You will hear feedback and will be unable to hear the questions from the audience towards the end of the conversation. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
On this episode we hear from womxn of the indigenous diaspora in conversation about community and responsibility. Laura Hinman and Maya Lazarro share learnings from their experiences at Standing Rock. Rebeca Rad talks spirit and nurture in the new age. Together we aim to unpack specifics pertaining to our individual communities such as generational trauma, healing practices, resource accessibility, and the future. Supported by Red Bull Arts Intro music by Tygapaw
In this episode, we explore the idea of re-imagining your power with model Paloma Elsesser. Paloma walks us through her experience navigating the fashion industry while promoting the importance of unapologetic honesty and transparency around the journey to reimagining her power.