Celebrating Art, Advocacy, and Empowerment | Something to Say (07-23-2024)
In the latest episode of “Something to Say,” host Mazi Mutafa and co-host Patrick Washington facilitated a rich dialogue with an extraordinary lineup of guests, delving into topics ranging from environmental justice to youth empowerment, beauty, and STEM education.
This weeks show started off with Mutafa speaking with Karen Baker, director of the Environmental Justice Artist Fellowship, shared the transformative potential of art in tackling social issues. Her fellowship supports projects in Washington D.C.’s underserved wards, addressing challenges such as climate change, food systems, and heritage preservation. Baker stated,
“It’s not just about creating art but engaging communities to inspire action,”
The episode also spotlighted the power of youth poetry in promoting cultural understanding and advocacy. Amasa Maleski, 2021 Arlington, Virginia Youth Poet Laureate, and Kashvi Ramani, 2023 Virginia State Youth Poet Laureate, shared how their poetry amplifies voices and preserves identity.
Turning to environmental issues, Morgan Zaybow of NOAA (National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration) highlighted the Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign, a community science initiative aimed at identifying and mitigating urban heat disparities. One way of identifying these extreme tempuratures is by placing sensors on cars and driving around neighborhoods. After that the data can be used to determine why one area might be hotter than the other. Zaybow stressed the program’s community-driven approach to finding localized solutions.
Social advocacy took center stage with Kennedy Lucas, Miss Black Maryland 2024, who champions breast cancer awareness among Black women. Lucas emphasized the intersection of beauty and impact, advocating for both education and empowerment.
Finally, Hodari Davis, founder of Edutainment for Equity, discussed the power of art as a medium for social change. His initiative, “Exhibit A, Oakland,” uses data visualization to illuminate systemic inequities, fostering understanding and action. Hodari explained,
“We’ve taken data from several sources that report on the state of Black life in Oakland and we’ve illustrated that data... By making the data more accessible to the people who are experiencing the problem, you’re just creating pathways for them to speak to it.”
This episode encapsulated the transformative power of art, education, and advocacy in driving meaningful community change.
Something to Say is recorded live on Washington, DC’s Radio Station WPFW 89.3 and is produced by Words Beats & Life Inc.
