Things are shaking up at the White House, more than we probably realized could be possible. What better time to discuss the icon that did so in a time we were scrutinized for every move; from the clothes we wore to the hue of our skin. Eartha Kitt was dynamic, inspirational and a game changer in many ways. We're so excited to share part of her life's journey with you all this month.

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Resources:

https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=B9A396B2898045E9%20972B31CEC8AF1CDB

https://www.britannica.com/art/theatrical-production/Means-of-artistic-control

https://youtu.be/uXIr6-HcocY?si=COs0bSnP1Gx2hNTD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PECF0ZupS28

Sometimes it feels resilience, tenacity and determination are not only overused adjectives but indicative of the struggle that persists today. Lowndes County is no exception to the immense effort and grit our ancestors displayed. When will we get to simply rest and just be?

To truly understand the depths and lengths people went to, watch the documentary and listen to the episode.

Resources:

https://www.multitudefilms.com/lowndes-county

Quips:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRKE6bLX/

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Sometimes, Donna & Jonathan need a vacation too. Re-sharing a popular episode from April 2023.

Music is instrumental, pun intended, for many of us in the Black Community - Donna & Jonathan are no exception. From childhood artistry to a now multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Cameron Forbes joins the Now We Know podcast for an episode on the joys, the struggles and the triumphs of building his music career in LA over the last decade. Cameron details how he remains true to himself in keeping the love for music and not becoming jaded in a world that wasn't created for the faint of heart.

How has the world of TikTok and plagiarism impacted the music industry? Are artists having greater control over their creations or will AI totally change the game?

Instagram:

@CameronForbes

www.cameronforbes.com

EP - Back to Me

@DonnaJaneen

Sources:

⁠https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/celebrating-black-music-month#:~:text=The%20earliest%20form%20of%20black,defining%20the%20hardships%20of%20slavery⁠.

⁠https://www.npr.org/2021/06/30/1011901555/radio-diaries-harry-pace-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-black-swan-records⁠

⁠https://soundbetter.com/profiles/21436-cameron-forbes⁠

#blackartistry #blackmusic

Without trailblazers Iike Ida B. Wells; truly, where would we be? In a time when truth needed to be told more than ever, Ida fearlessly paved the way to help eradicate injustices.

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML8XiKVStWQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62eH6TNP72E

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ida-b-wells-barnett

Now You Know:

https://instituteforpr.org/pioneer-inez-kaiser/

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

On a very special bonus episode of Now We Know, Donna interviews artist Adderly Grant-Lord; an incredibly talented, vibrant and joyous woman based out of Boulder, Colorado. The Proclaiming exhibit at the Museum of Boulder showcases Adderly’s work, along with others in their AfroFuturistic exhibit that will be available through September of 2025.

To check out more about the museum, the inspirations of Adderly’s work as well as the other fantastic artists in the Proclaiming exhibit, take a look at the resources below:

https://museumofboulder.org/exhibit/proclaiming-colorados-black-history/

https://www.adderlyart.com/

Instagram:

@AdderlyArt_

@DonnaJaneen

Would you believe of over 3,100 Oscar winners, only 60 have been black? It shouldn't be as surprising considering the inception of the Oscars, but here we are.

Instagram:

@DonnaJaeen

Resources:

https://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-history-1923-2023-did-you-know-only-six-black-actors-have-won-best-actor-award-so-far-570496

https://www.netflix.com/title/81577005

#oscars #winners

The depths, intricacies and beauty of Afrofuturism have been practiced in more ways than Donna & Jonathan realized in their own lives. Discovering more of the definitions and applications has brought a new level of appreciation for the movement as well as creators in the space.

How do you feel you apply Afrofuturism in your life?

Resources:

https://www.pbs.org/video/afrofuturism-i8qu2w/ https://www.pbs.org/video/afrofantastic-n5yggg/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWl-u2AN478&t=1140s

Now You Know:

https://www.jackieormes.com/

Instagram:

@DonnaJaeen

#afrofuturism #blackhistory