Best Lokko Podcasts (2024)

1
E96. Towards A New Architecture. with Dr. Lesley Lokko OBE 1:33:41

3M ago1:33:41

1:33:41

About The Guest Today we're honored to introduce our guest, Professor Lesley Lokko. A distinguished Ghanaian-Scottish architect, educator, and bestselling novelist, Dr. Lokko most recently served as the Curator of the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture, becoming the first Black-identified person to hold the position. She’s also the founder and Di…

1
E95. Designing In Place. with Nifemi Marcus-Bello 1:36:17

4M ago1:36:17

1:36:17

Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. I'm your host, Dario, and today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Nifemi Marcus-Bello, a visionary design director and founder of Nmbello Studio. Renowned for his community-centric and ethnographically-conscious design ethos, Nifemi…

1
E94. The Black School with Co-Founders Shani Peters And Joseph Cuillier, III 1:20:36

4M ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of black genius. Today, we're thrilled to present Shani Peters and Joseph Cuillier III, the co-founders of The Black School—an innovative art institution dedicated to teaching radical Black politics through experimental approaches to art and design education. Bo…

1
E93. Imagining Diasporic Retrofutures with Olalekan Jeyifous 1:32:48

5M ago1:32:48

1:32:48

Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. I am your host, Dario. Today, we're excited to introduce Olalekan Jeyifous, an innovative artist and architect whose world-building practice reimaginations the relationship between community, urbanity, nature, and time; It’s very much gi…

1
E92. The People's University with Dr. Carla Hayden 1:00:14

5M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Hey explorers, it's Dario. Welcome to the IBI podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. Today, we browse the mind of Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, appointed by U.S. President Barack Obama. Dr. Hayden is the first woman and the first African American to hold this position at the National Library. As an ac…

1
E91: From Dancehall to the World with JAWARA 1:23:35

5M ago1:23:35

1:23:35

Welcome to the Institute of Black Imagination, where we beam in conversations with iconoclasts from the galaxy of Black genius. I am your host, Dario. Today, we're thrilled to welcome Jawara, a cutting-edge visionary in all things hair, fashion, and beauty. His work graces the pages of British Vogue, American Vogue Italian Vogue, OK, all the Vogues…

1
E90. Space Agency. with Brigette Romanek 1:21:55

6M ago1:21:55

1:21:55

Welcome to the IBI podcast, beaming in conversations from the galaxy of Black genius. Today, we explore the mind of Brigette Romanek, one of LA’s foremost Interior designers. As the founder of Romanek Design Studio, some of her notable clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Demi Moore, and even the queen herself, Beyonce. (a fact we can neither …

1
E89. Perfection is an Illusion with Kirk Franklin 1:12:31

6M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

Welcome to Semester 6 of the IBI podcast, your Tribe of Mentors, from the Pool of Black Genius. Speaking of Black genius, today’s guest needs no introduction, but we will go ahead and introduce him anyway. Y’all it’s Kirk Franklin. Yes, THAT Kirk Franklin. 19 Grammy Award-winning Kirk Franklin. Contemporary Gospel innovator Kirk Franklin. .. The gi…

1
E88. The Best of 2023 - IBI Team Favorites 1:27:48

8M ago1:27:48

1:27:48

Well friends, we made it. 2023 had its share of joys and challenges, individually and collectively, but we are here. Together. In community. This special podcast edition is our final episode of the year, and you’re in for a treat! Not only will you hear from me, but you will also hear from 6 IBI team members, in their own words, as they introduce a…

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E87: Catching The Spirit with Chester Higgins, Jr. 1:37:10

9M ago1:37:10

1:37:10

Today’s conversation is with the legendary photographer, Chester Higgins. I’ve admired Chester’s work for years… he’s a master of his craft, and a technician to the Nth degree. But it’s one thing to appreciate the work of an artist, it’s another to delve into their worldview: the work we see simply being an artifact of a greater pursuit. Well, that…

1
Rebecca Solnit on Slowness as a Superpower 53:06

9M ago53:06

53:06

Rebecca Solnit, the author of books including “A Paradise Built in Hell” (2009) and “Orwell’s Roses” (2021) and the co-editor of the new collection of essays “Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility,” discusses the long view as a “mind-blowing” way of looking at the world, why the majority of people tend to be altruisti…

1
E86: Sketching A Revolution with Emory Douglas 1:32:24

9M ago1:32:24

1:32:24

Today, we embark on a profound journey with the iconic Emory Douglas. As the former Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party, Emory's art ignited a revolution. Today, we ask you to reorient your ears… this is history. There’s an old African proverb that states when a person transitions, a library burns to the ground. Well, today’s conversati…

1
Charlayne Hunter-Gault on History as a Compass for Navigating the Present 30:22

9M ago30:22

30:22

The civil rights activist, award-winning journalist, and former NPR and CNN foreign correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault talks about her book “My People: Five Decades of Writing About Black Lives”; why understanding history is like a form of armor in a world full of misinformation; and the transformational, life-altering notion of viewing herself a…

1
E85. Mastering Your Story with Lena Waithe 1:29:59

9M ago1:29:59

1:29:59

Today, we're honored to sit down with the incredible Lena Waithe, a trailblazing writer, producer, and actress who's reshaped film and TV. In this enlightening chat, Lena shares her roots, tracing back to her grandmother's brave journey from Arkansas to Chicago. We explore the concept of identity, her take on 'ladylike,' and how she's embraced her …

1
E84. Life on the Streets with Andre D. Wagner 1:37:00

10M ago1:37:00

1:37:00

Our guest today is none other than the visionary photographer, Andre D. Wagner. With a lens that tells stories in a way that words cannot, Andre has made a significant mark in the world of photography. He has been commissioned by The New Yorker, The New York Times, Esquire, W Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Vogue, well, YouTube the picture…

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E83. The Unmasking of AI with Dr. Joy Buolamwini 1:31:22

10M ago1:31:22

1:31:22

Today, we have a truly remarkable guest. Joining us today is the brilliant Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a computer scientist, digital activist and self-described “Poet of Code” whose journey began at that Temple of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT for short. She's the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, a place where art …

1
Sarah Lohman on Creating a More Affordable, Healthful, and Moral Food System 24:57

10M ago24:57

24:57

The culinary historian Sarah Lohman, author of the new book “Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Foods,” talks about the importance of engaging with local foodways, why “the idea that eating McDonald’s is universally bad is woefully unaware of class and racial conflicts,” and how Indigenous communities across the U.S. are fighting to protect the…

1
E82. Dancing Through the Archive with the Legendary George Faison 1:15:54

10M ago1:15:54

1:15:54

Today, we have a very special interview with the legendary choreographer and producer, George Faison. In this conversation, George takes us on a journey through his remarkable life, from his early days in Washington, D.C., to his experiences dancing with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and mostly, and his iconic role as the choreographer of the…

1
E81. The Sound of Success with Tank and The Bangas 57:11

11M ago57:11

57:11

In today's episode, we're joined by Tarriona ”Tank” Ball and Norman Spence of the Grammy-nominated Tank & The Bangas, a band hailing from the vibrant, swampy, and swinging coastal town of New Orleans. They've been wowing audiences since 2011 with their eclectic fusion of funk, soul, hip-hop, and spoken word. Today, we explore their dynamic journey …

1
E80. Apertures and Activism with Misan Harriman 1:31:22

11M ago1:31:22

1:31:22

Today we have a truly inspiring conversation that delves into the power of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformational journey of one extraordinary individual, photographer, entrepreneur, and social activist, Misan Harriman, a name that has become synonymous with the art of storytelling through the lens. The first brother to shoot a cover …

1
E79. Liberation Through Libraries. with (Reginald) Dwayne Betts 1:17:53

11M ago1:17:53

1:17:53

Today we are diving into the captivating life story of Attorney, Artist & Activist (Reginald) Dwayne Betts, a man whose path took unexpected turns, leading him to discover the boundless potential within himself. As we journey through Dwayne's life, we'll explore the profound impact of literature on his transformation, his encounters with influentia…

1
E78. The Black Space Continuum. with Dr. Danielle Wood 1:28:02

11M ago1:28:02

1:28:02

Our guest today, Dr. Danielle Wood, is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can lead you to the stars. She defied the odds, shattered expectations, and carved her own path to become a leader in the world of space exploration and technology. So, join us as we embark on this cosmic voyage with Dr. Danielle Wood and discover how she unvei…

1
David W. Orr on the Inextricable Links Between Climate and Democracy 31:39

12M ago31:39

31:39

David W. Orr, editor of the new book “Democracy in a Hotter Time” and a professor at Arizona State University, discusses the climate crisis as an obviously bipartisan issue; why building “Democracy 4.0” must ultimately be a localized, grassroots mission; and why, in our “long emergency” that is the climate crisis, we must “stretch our hearts to rea…

1
E77. Predictions of Black Imagination (feat. The Future of Storytelling w/ Charlie Melcher) 34:14

12M ago34:14

34:14

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Institute of Black Imagination. Today we're taking a little detour, podcast inception if you will! We're sharing with you another podcast that featured yours truly as a guest. Get ready to embark on a journey with The Future of Storytelling and my good friend host Charlie Melcher, where we explore my …

1
Summer School - The Art of Living w. Lana Turner - Part 1 49:10

1y ago49:10

49:10

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is part 1 of episode 13 with Harlem socialite and style icon, Lana Turner. Born at the Women’s Hospital on West and 110th St. and still residing in the neighborhood 70 years later, Ms. Turner is quintessential Harlem, a landmark unto herself. A mathematician of dressing, Ms. Turner does not just pu…

1
Summer School - Through Obstacles with Olympian Daryl Homer. 1:29:14

1y ago1:29:14

1:29:14

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 25 with fencer and three-time Olympian, Daryl Homer. Hailing from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Daryl, along with his mother and sister relocated to the Gun Hill section of the Bronx when he was five. His interest in fencing began at an early age, after encountering the word “Fencing” in a pi…

1
Summer School - The Art of Hip-Hop w. Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. 1:18:21

1y ago1:18:21

1:18:21

‘Black Thought’ Trotter on his origin story: “I think often in the case of heroes or of a character, a protagonist who sort of rises to greatness there is some trauma Yeah. And you know my life is was no different.” Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 12 with a man who needs no introduction, but I’m going to introduce him …

1
Summer School - VR Immersion w. Psychologist Dr. Courtney Cogburn. 1:10:18

1y ago1:10:18

1:10:18

In today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 4 with psychologist, Dr. Courtney Cogburn. Hailing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Doctor Cogburn’s research focuses on how racism contributes to health disparities amongst Black Americans and in particular how over time, blatant and subtle racism in media stresses and literally wears d…

1
Summer School - Timnit Gebru: Asylum From A.I. 1:33:00

1y ago1:33:00

1:33:00

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 39 with Timnit Gebru an artificial intelligence researcher. Timnit advocates for fair and just use of the technology we use everyday. A former employee of Google, Timnit consistently calls in and calls out a Big Tech industry that leverages power, capital, and bias in favor of, well, the…

1
Summer School - Dr. Mabel O. Wilson, Architect and Scholar. 1:11:57

1y ago1:11:57

1:11:57

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 2 with architect, designer, and scholar, Dr. Mabel O. Wilson. Doing double duty as a Professor of Architecture and as Associate Director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies, both at Columbia University, Dr. Wilson is not your traditional designer of buildings. Her t…

1
Summer School - Casey Gerald, Writer and Entrepreneur. 1:10:19

1y ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 3 with writer Casey Gerald. Born in Oak Cliff Texas, Casey’s life reads like a textbook definition of The American Dream. Oh you know, Small town boy from a troubled home makes good and lands in the Ivy Leagues—Yale to be exact. Casey later goes off to Harvard Business school and co-foun…

1
Pedro Gadanho on How Architecture Must Adapt to Our Ecological Emergency 30:09

1y ago30:09

30:09

Architect, writer, and curator Pedro Gadanho, author of the book “Climax Change!” and a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University, discusses how architects must increasingly innovate through densification and adaptive reuse rather than building anew; existing buildings as “material banks”; and the importance of downgrading our consumption levels, particula…

1
Summer School - The Hidden Costs of Racism with Heather McGhee. 1:16:53

1y ago1:16:53

1:16:53

Today’s Summer School episode from the IBI Archive is episode 23 with Heather McGhee. Heather designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. Do you know Heather? You might know Heather. Maybe you saw her on NBC’s Meet the Press, or MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Or perhaps you saw her sparring with Republican Senator John Kennedy during the confi…

1
E67. Semester Four Recap with Dario. 8:34

1y ago8:34

8:34

And now a word from our Founder & Host Dario Calmese. Thank you for your support and being a part of our community. We are taking a break, but we will not leave you wanting. Class is still in session. This Summer School Semester we will be sharing some of our favorite previous episodes. In case you missed it, or want to revisit and catch more pearl…

1
Chris Impey on the New Space Race and Exoplanet Habitation 18:51

1y ago18:51

18:51

Astronomer Chris Impey, author of the new book “Worlds Without End: Exoplanets, Habitability, and the Future of Humanity” and a professor at the University of Arizona, discusses the vast possibilities of extraterrestrial human habitation, why imagination is an important form of scientific speculation, and why humans’ initial move to space will like…

1
E66b. Milisuthando Bongela: Inside Apartheid's Wish. 1:13:11

1+ y ago1:13:11

1:13:11

Today’s episode is an odyssey through Mili’s own journey through ancestral ties, personal identity, and relationships. She walks us through the process of engaging our ancestors in our everyday lives. We explore the necessity for connection and healing between Africans and African Americans. And we delve into the lessons one learns by simply sittin…

1
E66a. Milisuthando Bongela: Inside Apartheid's Wish. 48:43

1+ y ago48:43

48:43

Today’s episode is an odyssey through Mili’s own journey through ancestral ties, personal identity, and relationships. She walks us through the process of engaging our ancestors in our everyday lives. We explore the necessity for connection and healing between Africans and African Americans. And we delve into the lessons one learns by simply sittin…

1
E65. Rayvon Fouché: Game Changer - Tech, Sports & Black Ingenuity. 1:29:23

1+ y ago1:29:23

1:29:23

In today’s episode, Rayvon gives us a peek into the locker room, revealing how athletic teams use biometric data to craft game day strategy. He also shares the drawbacks of using technology and Artificial Intelligence not only on the playing field but also in the courtroom. He shines a light on the importance of creating pathways for black and brow…

1
E64. Alia Dahl: Curriculum - The Business of Art. 1:40:31

1+ y ago1:40:31

1:40:31

In today’s episode, Alia gives us a rundown on the role of the gallery and gallery representation. She shares what young artists should be considering when starting their careers, and helpful guidance on how to price their work. She weighs in on the impacts and pitfalls of social media for artists, the direction of NFT’s and what the art world need…

1
E63. Dossé-Via Trenou: Written In The Stars. 1:45:41

1+ y ago1:45:41

1:45:41

Today's episode is an exploration of the stars, so get your notebooks out. Dossé-Via walks us through the African origins of modern astrology, how star-gazing is actually compatible if not embedded within Christianity, Islam, and other religious practices, and what compatibility REALLY means. Not to mention breaking down all those astrological hou…

1
Celebrating Women’s History Month With Kathleen Breitman, Co-Founder, Tezos 36:36

1+ y ago36:36

36:36

For our last episode of season 3, we celebrate International Women's Month with Kathleen Breitman, Co-Founder of Tezos. Kathleen is also one of our London Tech Week ambassadors this year. Kathleen speaks about being a female founder, what Tezos is, being a part of the blockchain industry and more! For more information about Elevating Founders, go t…

1
E62. Robert Battle: The Power of Community. 1:46:57

1+ y ago1:46:57

1:46:57

In today's episode, Robert explores what it means to lead with legacy in mind. We talk through the lessons learned from fully immersing oneself in their craft and the importance of building a community. Today’s episode is sure to leave you inspired so be sure to share your most motivational moments with us over on Twitter and Instagram at @blackima…

1
Lesley Lokko on Imagining the Future Through an African Lens 27:16

1+ y ago27:16

27:16

Architect and novelist Lesley Lokko, the founder and director of the African Futures Institute and the curator of this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale, discusses how, for her, the rich context of Africa has always served as a “testing ground for ideas” about the future; why she has become disenchanted with the academic establishment over time; …

1
E61. Justin Garrett Moore: Imagining Black Space. 1:46:42

1+ y ago1:46:42

1:46:42

In today’s episode, Justin educates us on the questions we should be asking about our neighborhoods. He shares how to find your voice while highlighting the important role black and brown people can play in the world of philanthropy. Today’s episode will be full of gems so make sure to share your favorite moment with us over on Twitter and Instagra…

1
Dacher Keltner on Why We All Need Daily Doses of Awe 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

UC Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner, author of the new book “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life,” talks about human emotion as a tool for making sense of the world, the extraordinary acts of kindness that take place around us all the time, and moral beauty as a way of life. Episode sponsored by MU…

1
E60. Kevin Bethune: Dreams, Design and Life. 1:17:14

1+ y ago1:17:14

1:17:14

Show notes In today’s episode, Kevin shares with us his life-long pursuit of creative curiosity. He reminds us that what may seem like a career pivot from the outside, is really an internal expansion; as each new acquired skill makes you uniquely qualified for the problems you aim to solve. It encourages us to tap into the path of experimentation a…

1
Harnessing Community and Culture celebrate Black History Month USA with us! 33:41

1+ y ago33:41

33:41

To celebrate Black History Month USA we are sharing our Harnessing Community and Culture session. Learn about all things community and culture in the tech ecosystem with: Deborah Okenla, CEO, YSYS (Your Startup Your Story) Oyinkansola Adebayo, CEO & Founder, Niyo Group Flavilla Fongang, Founder, 3 Colours Rule - Award-Winning Creative Agency For mo…

1
Marina Koren on Rethinking the “Overview Effect” 30:08

1+ y ago30:08

30:08

Marina Koren, a staff writer at The Atlantic who covers science and space exploration, speaks about why the “overview effect,” the cognitive shift that can occur when seeing the Earth from outer space, needs to be studied and understood in a more nuanced way; the ongoing Elon Musk–Jeff Bezos space-race saga; and the vast, galaxy-wide importance of …

1
E59. Camille A. Brown: For Colored Girls. 1:18:34

1+ y ago1:18:34

1:18:34

Today’s episode is with award-winning choreographer + director Camille A. Brown. Do you know Camille? You know Camille. You may recognize her work, on Broadway in Once On This Island or on television choreographing Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert! Camille’s work is an ode to reclamation and staying connected to ancestral ties with her deep p…

1
E58. Jason Mayden: Be Your Own Superhero. 1:42:38

1+ y ago1:42:38

1:42:38

Today’s episode is with sneaker designer and tech entrepreneur Jason Mayden. Jason is the founder of Super Heroic, a footwear brand empowering children to be their own heroes. He’s also the CEO of Trilicon Valley– a modern design collective made up of entrepreneurs, designers, athletes, and all-around creatives. You may recognize him from his time …

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Lokko Podcasts

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