Progress is a Process

In this weeks episode, I sit down with  Lasana O. Hotep. Lasana is an antiracist and antisexist educator, strategic thought partner, and equity-advancing executive coach with a commitment to dismantling institutional inequities and creating transformative solutions for people and organizations. As the founder and Lead Consultant of Hotep Consultants, he leverages his culturally sustaining historical analysis with practices rooted in racial justice to address issues of equity within the workplace. Lasana currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition to these roles, he is a writer, highly sought after lecturer, and established education professional. For more about Lasana visit  https://hotepconsultants.com/

In this weeks episode I talk with songstress Jasmine Jordan about her new album "Intermission" and how she balances her music careers and working a 9 to 5.  Listen to "Intermission" https://open.spotify.com/album/0U1uhaX3A6f4VckUcHYKv1?si=sXqQN4PcTem2SvORm8fZfg   To support this podcast, become a patron https://www.patreon.com/piap

In this week's episode, I sat down with actor Jerry Maddison Jr. star of "Bel-Air" to talk about his journey into acting and how he uses his purpose to inspire others.  For more on Jerry check out  https://www.instagram.com/jerrymadisonjr/ Watch the "Bel Air" trailer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfJpyBgcgA

In this month's episode, I sit down with Photographer Justin Sission and talk about tending to your creative work and putting in your ten thousand hours. 

As 2019 comes to a close, I wanted to be sure to  thank everyone who has been supporting the podcast thus far. To also remind you that to continue to walk in the spirit of gratitude as as we set new goals for ourselves. 

In this months episode, I sat with 2x Emmy Award winning photojournalist and Professor Jarrad Henderson to discuss the art of story telling through photography, the value of mentorship and much more. For more on Jarrad and his projects visit http://www.jarradhenderson.com/

maceo paisley may-cee-oh n.multi-disciplinary artist, designer, and cultural producer who explores themes in society and identity through movement, language, and imagery. -     -     -     -     -    -  after serving the in the u.s. army and climbing the ladders of corporate America, maceo "paisley" keeling III made his way into the world of arts, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. for the past decade maceo has danced professionally, performed on national stages as a spoken word and performance artist, as Executive Director of the non-profit platform Citizens of Culture, he uses art to help communities and organizations develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and resource inequality.maceo is a bronze star awardee for his service in Iraq, in 2015 he was a participant of the Millennial Trains Project, and was a NBCUniversal Challenge Grant recipient, in 2016 he was a member of the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs exhibition SKiN, opened Nous Tous gallery and retail space in Chinatown, Los Angeles and continues to work as a dancer/choreographer for the likes of indie rock sensation Beirut,  Justin Timberlake, and performance art exhibits with groups like Marciano Art Foundation, and (LAND) Los Angeles Nomadic Division. In 2018 maceo collaborated with director Leila Jarman, and composer Michael Sempert, to create the short film Dynamite that won the Grand Jury Award as well as the Social Justice Award from the 2019 In/Motion Film Festival. His first book Tao Of Maceo: Identity, Relationships,Work: A Journal On Living, is available from Correspondence Print where books are sold.

I sat down with my good friend Elliott Ashby during my trip to New York to talk about my album Everything's Fine. We talk everything from death and relationships to using our art to create a meaningful impact in this world.  Elliott is a Conscious Content Creator and host of Eye of Elliott youtube series.  https://www.youtube.com/user/consciouscontent instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elliott_ashby/

I sat down with Digital Strategist & Spoken Word Artist Brooke Jean to talk about how she built her business and brand. 

In this weeks episode I talk about Fitness, training and discipline with Bryan Wesley Williams. Bryan is a track athlete and personal trainer focused on performance and life-style training. Listen in as we crack jokes and I try to keep myself together following an intense workout. For more on Bryan, check out bryanwesley.com and follow him on instagram s @bryanwesleywilliams For the latest on the podcast follow us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/piappodcast/

I think weeks episode I sit down with Joi K Maddison. We talk intimate relationships and defining your creative identity. Joi is a clarity coach, speaker, facilitator and founder of Club of Hearts; a heart-centered community committed to inspiring, supporting, teaching and learning from one another.  For more on Joi visit https://linktr.ee/joihearts. For the latest on the podcast follow us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/piappodcast/

This episode is inspired by and dedicated to my brother Justin M. Smith, who passed away. He loved his family and friends and was sure to let us know it. He had an infectious zest for life, was committed to his career as a photographer and giving back to the community that groomed him. He'd always tell us to "Be Necessary" and we will. Your memory and legacy will continue to live on, Always and Forever.    For more follow us on instagram  https://www.instagram.com/piappodcast/  

In this weeks episode I sit down with father, author, copywriter and artist Joel L. Daniels. We about the inspiration for his book,  ”God Wears Du Rags”, Black Culture, and the art of story telling. To purchase his book check out  https://bunkysbooks.com/search?q=joel+daniels. For a daily dose of mindful positivity and activation follow him on twitter https://twitter.com/JoelakaMaG. For the latest on the podcast follow us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/piappodcast/

In this weeks episode I sit down with Ocean Advocate, Artist & Explorer, Danni Washington. We discuss environmental responsibility and so much more. Miami native with Jamaican roots, Danni is deeply passionate about our oceans and science communications. She dreamed of studying the oceans since she was six years old. In 2008, Danni graduated from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science with a B.Sc. in Marine Science/Biology. At age 21, she co-founded along with her mom, Michelle Swaby-Smith the Big Blue & You - A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through the arts and media.  "Ocean Conservation through Artistic Inspiration".  She also served for four years as a naturalist at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center where she helped educate thousands of South Florida children about local marine ecosystems.  For three years, Danni served as an on-camera personality and science filmmaker with Untamed Science which created nearly 200 K-12 Science Educational Videos for Pearson textbooks that are currently in classrooms across the USA), Ocean GEMS (a multimedia series and outreach program connecting teens to marine scientists mentors and role models inspiring them to pursue careers in marine science) and she also co-starred with Jaden Smith in the official educational outreach video for the theatrical film After Earth starring Jaden and his dad, Will Smith.  Most recently, Danni is working as the host of a brand new STEM educational TV Series which features the latest advancements in bio-inspired technology and design called XPLORATION NATURE KNOWS BEST which is syndicated on FOX and available on HULU, Amazon Prime, Roku and Yahoo View. She also co-created and produced a new initiative called Sea Youth Rise Up which is a collaborative effort to elevate the role of youth leadership in ocean conservation policy and advocacy on World Oceans Day.   Danni has a deep appreciation for the arts and seeks any creative outlet to express herself including dance, film and music. She is an avid scuba diver, passionate curly girl, stand-up paddle boarding enthusiast, MOCHA MERMAID and overall lover of the natural world, she is ALWAYS ready for an ADVENTURE.

In this weeks episode I sit down with Dr. Ashley Coleman Psyd, and professor of Psychology at The University of the West. We talk about faith, mental health in the Black Community and her passion for healing others. 

Brette Sims is a feminist illustrator, originally from Oakland, CA. She depicts women with bold, beautiful features, & strong fashion influences. She creates under the name #ARTBYBRETTE , she visualizes and creates artistic reflections of your own inner love, truth, growth, and presence. Brette also owns a feminist art firm & lifestyle brand called:  STUK DESIGNS (pronounced "stuck", standing for: Strong, Talented, United, & Knowledgeable). STUK DESIGNS is her feminist art firm that specializes in branding and uplifting influential girls & women, and the companies they own, through the philosophy of placing self-love first!    

In this weeks episode I sit down with Karen Okonkwo. Karen is an Nigerian-American, Seattle-based serial entrepreneur who co-created TONL with the intention of infusing diversity within the stock photography industry. While creating for her previous business, The Sorority Secrets, she found it surprisingly difficult to obtain images that captured diversity. In August 2017, Okonkwo collaborated with Joshua Kissi, a New York-based photographer and co-founder of the creative agency Street Etiquette to launch TONL. TONL, strives to transform the idea of stock photography by displaying images of diverse people and their stories around the world. For more about Tonl check out https://tonl.co/

Lorenzo Diggins Jr. is an interdisciplinary creative, engaging mediums such as design, brand and product development, art direction, photography, and illustration. In this weeks episode we talk about the power of community, carving out your own lane and how his passion for fashion helped him connect with his purpose.

I sat down with life advocate, motivator and overcomer, Liana Sims; who lost over 180 lbs naturally and wrote a book about the journey called “Monday Never Comes”. Tune in as we talk about the process of writing her book, overcoming depression, the power of having a tribe and so much more.

In today’s episode I sat down with emcee & producer extraordinaire Oddisee. Having admired his art and work ethic over the years, we've developed a relationship of mutual respect. While on his tour we were able to link up and share some laughs and great advice when it comes to the creative process and building your business.   

In today’s episode I sat down with the amazingly talented singer/songwriter and a frequent collaborator, Jasmine Jordan. We talk about taking risks, building with your tribe and getting started on your dreams. 

I called up my talented and creative friends and we talked about some of things we've learned along our creative journey.