Tune in to our final episode as we share and explore our connection to Nova Scotia as artists, discuss family histories, podcast future possibilities and reflect on the journey we shared with guests on this season of Blk Scotian: Blk Art.

We have musician and icon, Kye Clayton, in the studio with us in this episode, talking about beginnings, influence, and dreams. Not only is Kye a celebrated guest on this podcast, he is family! Find Kye Clayton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyeclaytonst/?hl=en

NAT chantel is a performance artist that uses the metaphysical space around her to affect the energy of those experiencing her work. Drawing on the use of breath, inward reflection, and healing, she uses trauma to collectively shift, and uplift the consciousness present within her surroundings. Answering questions with pieces of art, every moment will have you breathing and thinking differently. Find NAT chantel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nat.chantelle/?hl=en

Vanessa “Nessy” Thomas experiments with digital and mixed media art processes. In this episode she shares her experiences as an emerging artist in Scotia. Nessy also tells us about what inspires her and her exploration of the arts in the NFT world. Find Nessy Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nessyrt/

Kevin A. Ormsby is a body of knowledge. In this episode we dive into his interest as a Jamaican born artist that feels a deep connection to the maroons who settled here in Scotia. He speaks about technique and the individuality of movers being validated within performing arts spaces. He explains how he balanced his lifelong career while maintaining space to reflect and continue to show up for his craft. Find Kevin A. Ormsby on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinaormsby/?hl=en

Tune in to share time with drag performer extraordinaire, Manny Dingo (Joee Smith). With a self-taught background in acrobatics, they talk about the importance of self determination and how they use their drive to fuel their success. They talk about their experience leaving Scotia for Toronto, and living the dream of a full time artist. Find Manny Dingo on: @https://www.instagram.com/princemannydingo/?hl=en

Marqeis “KekeBeatz” Williams shares his insights on the multiplicity of projects he works on, from music to video production, and how he is creating a network that uplifts the community around him and continues to bring growth to all his collaborators.  Find Marqeis on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kekegram/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KekeBeatzTV

This episode dives into conversations around legacy, community and receiving our flowers while we are still here. Cyndi Cain is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur.  Cyndi is known for her artistic achievements and outstanding presence and participation in her community. Art has the power to reflect our deepest thoughts and passions. It has the power to make change in society, shining light on the issues that face our communities. Cyndi Cain makes art that does just that: her music, her involvement in theatre and her personal brand We Been Here all brings to life her pride in being African Nova Scotian and highlights the history of Black Nova Scotians. Hear her speak about her impressive journey and dreams of the future.

In this episode hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena explore the importance of home, growth, and grief alongside the decorated author and creative writer - Andre Fenton. Andre Fenton is an African Nova Scotian, Halifax born and raised Young Adult author. Andre Fenton is an award-winning African Nova Scotian author, spoken-word artist, screenwriter and arts educator who has represented Halifax at seven national poetry festivals across Canada. He is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Recognition Award at the 2022 Creative NS Awards, and the author of three young adult fiction novels, Worthy of Love, which won bronze in The Coast’s 2018 Best Of Awards, He is also the author of ANNAKA, that was the 2022 recipient of The Community & Place Award from Digitally Lit, and is the author of The Summer Between Us, which won Gold in The Coast’s 2022 Best Of Awards. Andre has facilitated writing and performances workshops at over 50 schools across Nova Scotia. He is currently screenwriting the film adaptation of his novel, ANNAKA that is being produced by Fine Devils Films. Andre is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In the opening episode of Season 2, Blk Scotian: Blk Art hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena dive into conversations of belonging, connection, and inspiration with Lagos born artist, learner and storyteller Francesca Ekwuyasi. Francesca Ekwuyasi is a learner, artist, and storyteller born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her work has explored themes of faith, family, queerness, consumption, loneliness, and belonging. She was awarded the Writers Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers in 2022 for her debut novel Butter Honey Pig Bread (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020). Butter Honey Pig Bread was also shortlisted for a Lambda Literary Award, the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction, and the Amazon Canada First Novel Award, and long listed for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, and the DUBLIN Literary Award. CBC's Canada Reads: Canada's Annual Battle of the Books selected Butter Honey Pig Bread as one of five contenders in 2021 for "the one book that all of Canada should read." Championed by Roger Mooking, the book made it to the grand finale, where it placed second.  Find her on: https://www.ekwuyasi.com/

In our final episode, your hosts Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald and I’thandi Munro, reflect upon their time spent together discussing the corners of their lives and their art not often shared. Tune in to hear them tie it all together.

Tune in to your hosts, Kordeena, Kate and I’thandi, explore the journey of parenting. Through lenses of deep historical and ancestral ideologies coupled with our ‘makeshift’ parenting innovations, from OG parents to novice level, we are cracking open discoveries as parents and artists.

In this episode multi-disciplinary artist, Bria Miller, joins hosts I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena to discuss rest, practice, healing, and connectivity through art making.

A giant in terms of creating important dialogue with art and film, the wonderful Sylvia D. Hamilton joins hosts, Kate and I’thandi to discuss community, wisdom and wishes for the future, in a conversation spanning generations in time.

For many artists in the region, showing their work at the Nocturne festival is a big deal. Hear how the hosts, Kate, Kordeena and I’thandi, navigate this huge opportunity and festival while being black.

On this episode, the ever-brilliant Letitia Fraser joins hosts, I’thandi, Kate and Kordeena. Together we unwrap the complexities of being black in institutions and the wealth of inspiration we draw as artists from our deep African Nova Scotian roots.

On this episode, Kordeena, Kate, and I’thandi invite you to laugh alongside graphic designer Kadeem Hinch whose eye for aesthetics and sources of inspirations will have you feeling ready to create. Tune in to hear us discuss artistic dreams and aspirations.

Hosts, Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald and I’thandi Munro talk purpose, practice, and legacy in this introductory episode to Blk Scotian; Blk Art. Their conversations explore the themes that inspire their art making practice, balancing family life, and their distinctly different artistic journeys.

Three African Nova Scotian artists, Kordeena Clayton, Kate Macdonald, and I'thandi Munro discuss the journey of artistic creation and the unexpected learnings along the way. Hear conversations with guest artists about their connections to African Nova Scotian culture, settlements, community, and lineage.     These three artists dig into conversations with their guests about what is the “Scotian connection”? How are other artists connected to this place through family, artistic practice, homelands, and ancestral journeys? Tune in to this season to hear our hosts connect with folks from far and wide and down the road to explore the great and intricate fabric of African Nova Scotian culture, art, and community.