African Voices has launched "Harvest," a new podcast series debuting this Black History Month that spotlights conversations with established and emerging artists shaping contemporary culture. The limited series features notable filmmakers, writers, museum curators, and creative visionaries across three initial episodes, representing the organization's continued commitment to fostering cultural understanding through art, literature and film. This initiative matters because it provides crucial platforms for diverse creative voices during a month dedicated to celebrating Black history and achievements, ensuring important cultural narratives reach wider audiences through accessible digital platforms.
The inaugural season opens with Samantha Knowles, an award-winning filmmaker and recent recipient of the Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award 2025. Knowles is currently receiving widespread acclaim for her powerful new film Katrina: Come Hell and High Water, which examines one of America's most devastating natural disasters and its lasting impact. Her inclusion in the podcast series highlights how contemporary Black artists are documenting and interpreting significant historical events, creating cultural records that will inform future generations about critical moments in American history.
Episode two features Amy Andrieux, Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), who shares insights from her latest exhibition featuring artist Esteban Whiteside. The show, titled "Beyond Rage," tackles social and political issues through a style reminiscent of Basquiat, exploring themes of racism, social justice, and community dialogue. Andrieux discusses MoCADA's evolution since its 1999 founding and the museum's ongoing mission to support Black artists and communities. This conversation demonstrates how cultural institutions in New York City are actively engaging with pressing social issues through artistic expression, creating spaces for difficult but necessary conversations about race and justice in America.
Gregory Gates, founder of Eucalyptus Entertainment, rounds out the initial episodes by discussing his journey from spoken word contestant at the Apollo Theater to establishing a national poetry slam at the legendary Harlem venue. Gates has collaborated with music icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Stevie Wonder, and has produced major concerts, television shows, and films at prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Barclays Center, and the Prudential Center. His story illustrates how Black cultural producers have shaped mainstream entertainment while maintaining connections to their artistic roots in historically Black cultural spaces.
"I chose to name the podcast Harvest because it symbolizes the process of most cultural work; a sometimes long and evolving process that in the end yields beauty and abundance," says Carolyn Butts, Founder of African Voices. Butts established African Voices 34 years ago with a vision to amplify diverse creative voices and celebrate cultural contributions across the African diaspora. The organization has earned national respect among the literary community for publishing excellent fiction, poetry and artwork, with Spelman College archiving their art collection for future generations. This podcast launch represents a significant expansion of their mission into digital media, ensuring their cultural preservation work reaches new audiences through modern platforms.
The importance of this initiative extends beyond Black History Month programming. By documenting conversations with influential Black artists and cultural leaders, African Voices is creating an archive of contemporary Black creative thought that will serve as a resource for future scholars, artists, and community members. The podcast's availability on Spotify and the African Voices YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@africanvoicesmagazine ensures these important conversations reach global audiences, democratizing access to cultural discourse that has traditionally been limited to specific geographic or institutional contexts. This represents a meaningful step toward preserving and amplifying Black cultural contributions in an increasingly digital world.
