For our 2nd episode of Season 5, we interviewed (one of my cohort colleagues :)! and) first-year PhD student in the English Department, Theater Colloquium–– Kay Kemp. Together, we chatted about the beauty & challenges of studying Caribbean playwriting

Kay (they/them) explores postcolonial playwriting, and particularly research which encounters postcolonial play in diaspora, such as the writings of Africa and the Caribbean. Kay's research is colored both by their investment in the theoretical aspects of theater and their prior experience with postcoloniality in literature and political science courses, and by their practical experience in the field; Kay is a produced playwright, having written and staged work which has appeared in multiple festivals, including Off-Broadway. They are excited to be continuing their education at Columbia University, where they completed their undergraduate degree.

This season of MCN is funded by Columbia University’s Social Justice Mini Grant. Throughout this season, current graduate students at CU will speak to the complexity of identity through the lens of Black hair. My hope is that conversing about their graduate work rooted in International Relations, Playwriting, and various facets of Africana Studies can continue to expand the mission of MCN.

Overall, I’m interested in steering our creative research towards uncovering a clearer intersection between the Arts, Education & Development in a way that feels global, flexible, communal & accessible. I believe that it is possible and thank you Columbia University for the opportunity to expand this work 🙏🏾🤓.

For our first episode of Season 5, we interviewed current U.S. Diplomat and Columbia University graduate student in the School of International and Public Affairs–– Fareed Abdullah. Together, we chatted about the “art of being a diplomat.”

Fareed is a U.S. diplomat taking a sabbatical from diplomacy to think, write, and perfect the theory behind the art of being a diplomat. He comes to the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia with more than 14 years of experience at the U.S. Department of State. Fareed has worked and lived in several countries around the world like Senegal, China, and the United Arab Emirates, speaks several languages, and enjoys the process of learning new ways of addressing persistent challenges.

This season of MCN is funded by Columbia University’s Social Justice Mini Grant. Throughout this season, current graduate students at CU will speak to the complexity of identity through the lens of Black hair. My hope is that conversing about their graduate work rooted in International Relations, Playwriting, and various facets of Africana Studies can continue to expand the mission of MCN.

Overall, I’m interested in steering our creative research towards uncovering a clearer intersection between the Arts, Education & Development in a way that feels global, flexible, communal & accessible. I believe that it is possible and thank you Columbia University for the opportunity to expand this work 🙏🏾🤓.

This audio essay is a reflection of how my research is beginning to evolve. We will listen to a clip on Nina Simone, a brief reflection examining artistic depictions of Blackness, and a previously-shared segment of an interview with Professor Korka Sall (PhD). My hope is for this short episode to explore creative representations of freedom. This Audio Essay & Reflection was originally created as a Final Creative Project for Columbia University's Graduate Course (African and African American Studies): "Beyond Black is the Journey, Narrating the History, the Culture, and the Self," taught by Dr. Maboula Soumahoro (PhD).

In the fall of 2022, I started classes as a PhD student. My research is rooted in social advocacy, creativity, and theory. I focus on uncovering self-curated mediums of self expression like Black hair as the root of Pan-Africanism, and I hope to continue this research while sparking conversation in different contexts, cultures and classes while using poetry, podcasts, theatre, film and the arts as a tool to connect with a broader community.

Topic: "Black Hair Is The Root of Pan-Africanism," My Colorful Nana (Talk in English)

Date & Time: Thursday, June 16th at 3:00pm

Summary: "This presentation about Back Hair & Pan-Africanism is led by Dr. Korka Sall (PhD) and Lauren Stockmon Brown (Current Fulbright ETA) and incoming PhD candidate. Together, we will discuss how art & community have strengthened and complicated our understanding of language analysis in relation to identity formation.”

“My Colorful Nana is a community engagement platform that has published recent podcast interviews that have nurtured our understanding of cultural representation and “generous thinking.” Our goal is to uncover the concept of Black hair as a form of Pan-Africanism and highlight the importance of “linguistic expression” as a tool to understand complex topics such as identity formation.”

-WARC (West African Research Center)

📍Rue E x Léon G. Damas, Fann Résidence, Face Agence Autonome des Transports Routiers, DHL, CSE) | For our community in the states :), please find a zoom link below if you’re interested in sharing space ♥️—

6/16

3PM Dakar

11AM NYC

8AM LA

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82736677449?pwd=NUVRcEk3eXhENmZsSGdDcUZ0dEpKdz09

-LSB✨

This week, I'm excited to share the audio version of the short story that I wrote about Identity Formation & Spirituality in Senegal entitled, "People Are Like Waves."

I am moving into my last month living abroad, and I'm exploring "how to" build lasting systems of thinking that can help improve my general understanding of self-expression, particularly in relation to the concept of Pan-Africanism. A key action that has inspired me to continue "thinking globally and acting locally," (Dr. Korka Sall) in a consistent & reflective sense is my writing.

My hope is that sharing art together will create more opportunities for me and those who feel connected to MCN to imagine what it would mean to "Think globally. Act locally."

Recently, I heard a quote that said, "Data is *only* based on what has happened in the past" (Author: James Clear). While living in Dakar, I'm slowly learning how to carefully accept the power of imagining "possible futures." Possible futures that we can consider on a global-scale as well as implement in our day-to-day lives... "Bite-size" moments of hopeful reflection & potential impact, perhaps... I hope that you enjoy this ~experimental~ piece and as always, thank you for believing in this work.

Link (written version): https://mycolorfulnana.com/writing. Host & Founder: Lauren Stockmon Brown. Music: “Jealous,” Fireboy (Instrumental)

Listening to the way Dr. Sall is enthralled by her work was absolutely exhilarating. Dr. Sall's research reframes debates about the participation and conversation of francophone women writers in the Negritude movement. I deeply resonate with Dr. Korka's calculated choice to centralize aspects of "humanness" when working to understand concepts like "Pan-African Solidarity," "Double Consciousness" and identity formation. Throughout this conversation, I gradually realized how imperative it is for individuals to be able to confidently refer to multiple pools of cultural frameworks.... There is beauty in choosing to shield aspects of our identity, and growth in choosing to open our mind to other modes of thinking & feeling. Similar to language analysis, studying the history of “Black hair” is a tool that can help us sit with the complexities of existing.

Favorite Quote: "If you always hesitate about who you are then it will be hard for you to find the ground…. You need to be grounded first to know who you are, what you want, and why you want it.”

Very excited to share this episode with you! Host & Founder: Lauren Stockmon Brown. Music: “Jealous,” Fireboy (Instrumental)

For this episode, I interviewed one of my first friends in Senegal, Alioune Sene! Alioune shared his experience growing up in Dakar before receiving a BA in New York & Tennessee, a MA in Paris and he is now excitedly living in Dakar, Senegal as an Associate Coordinator for the West African Research Center (WARC). Together, we shared many laughs as we discussed the meaning of “home” in unfamiliar spaces and the power of cultural exchange in relation to self-growth. I very much look up to Alioune and his ability to be mentally agile in the face of adversity and uncertainty— I remain in awe of his seemingly instinctual urge to embrace “the unexpected” in life as I continue my own personal journey navigating the highs and lows of living abroad.

Favorite Quote: “….Everything I experienced made me more of who I am today… I evolved.”

Thank you again for everyone’s ongoing care & support... Host & Founder: Lauren Stockmon Brown. Music: “Jealous,” Fireboy (Instrumental)

For my Fulbright Community Engagement project in Senegal, I hope to nurture my scholarly interests in Body Politics, hair, beauty culture, race, and popular media as sites of creativity and politics. While interviewing Dr. Mamadou Bodian, excitedly, we discussed Dr. Mamadou's research on identity formation and religion in relation to my budding research interests on identity formation and Black hair. I found Dr. Mamadou's gentle encouragement to view concepts like "identity" and "individuality" as communal concepts rather than isolating thoughts, feelings and memories to be both complex and inspiring. I believe a conversation on Black hair creates a necessary entry-point to understand the intimate aspects of our lived experiences both together, and separately.

Favorite Quote: "Knowing others is also a way of knowing yourself..." -Dr. MB

I hope you enjoy our first episode of season 4 for MCN! Host & Founder: Lauren Stockmon Brown. Music: “Jealous,” Fireboy (Instrumental)