Season 2: Episode 1 - 31 Flavors of Joy

“The most powerful thing we can do in this time is to be our most free selves. Imagine who you would be if you were free. Imagine!”

— Anasa Troutman

"The most powerful thing we can do in this time is to be our most free selves. Imagine who you would be if you were FREE!" -Anasa Troutman The BIG We is back! In this episode Anasa and Calvin talk about the history and magic of #BlackAugust and why sustaining Black JOY is the most powerful, radical, healing, freeing thing they can do in this #YearofReturn.

The BIG We is back! In this episode Anasa and Calvin talk about the history and magic of #BlackAugust and why sustaining Black JOY is the most powerful, radical, healing, freeing thing they can do in this #YearofReturn. Plus: thoughts on #ToniMorrison #Ablackladysketchshow #Southside and more of our #Pop3 pop culture faves! Don’t miss the new #hopespot segment where we share what’s bringing us hope in times of apocalypse, and Anasa’s pro-tips on how to manifest more JOY in your life! (Hint: it has to do with ice cream.)

Show Notes

Calvin’s Pop 3 

• #blackgirlsummer / Hot Girl Summer 

• Sherman’s Showcase - a sketch 

• Black summer festivals! Afropunk, Brooklyn / Challe Wote, Ghana / Pan African Family Reunion, Oakland 

Anasa’s Pop 3

• Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period

• A Black Lady Sketch Show

• Southside

• Honorable mention: The Illusion of Money

Links:

• August 28th: A Day in the Life of a People

• Why 'August 28' Marks A Day Of Black Historical Reckonings

• Toni Morrison documentary: “The Pieces I am” 

• Anasa’s Ted Talk: From Justice to Joy

• The Wakanda Dream Lab 

• To view Aisha Shillingford’s augmented reality art piece from the Wakanda Dream Lab residency at Betti Ono Gallery, download the @Artivive app for free on your smartphone. Open up the app and then using your smartphone, view “Soul of Wakanda”

• The Waiapi indigenous movement to take back the Amazon + a clip that includes the Waiapi butterfly song. 

• Newark water struggle 

• Medical bias episode of Jon Oliver show featuring Anasa’s dad!

Annotated Spotify Playlist: #SongsofSolomon: A Tribute to Toni Morrison

• Mos Def & Talib Kweli / Thieves in the Night - Best paired with The Bluest Eye 

• Jamila Woods / BALDWIN . In honor of Morrison and Baldwin’s friendship

• Chance the Rapper + Supa Bwe / Rememory - “Some things you forget. Other things you never do. But it’s not. Places, places are still there. If a house burns down, it’s gone, but the place — the picture of it — stays, and not just in my rememory, but out there, in the world." -Toni Morrison, Beloved)

• Lizzo / Better In Color - For Chloe Anthony Wofford

• Beyonce, Blue Ivy / BROWN SKIN GIRL - Best paired with The Bluest Eye

• D’Angelo / Betray My Heart

• Solange / Don’t Touch My Hair

• India.Arie / Worthy - For Pecola Breedlove

• Kendrick Lamar / Complexion - "Kendrick Lamar understands and employs blues, jazz, and soul in his music, which makes it startling. His work is more than merely brilliant; it is magic." -Toni Morrison

• Nina Simone / Feeling Good 

• Lianne La Havas / Wonderful - For Hagar + Milkman

• Ibeyi - River - for Beloved vibes

• The Carters / HEARDABOUTUS - For Sula + Hannah

Bonus: India Arie: Not Afraid of the Dark - India talks about influence of Bluest Eye on this song

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