Season 2 | Episode 5 - ACTION: Re-framing and Reclaiming the Narrative with Nambi E. Kelley
The co-Star of this episode:
Bureau 68
We’d love to hear from you!
Featured Guest: Nambi E. Kelley
How do we personally take action to shift the narrative?
With an energetic calm that is both inspiring and soothing, playwright/actor/producer Nambi E. Kelley (Native Son, Re-Memori, Jabari Dreams of Freedom) joins hosts Jason and Yvonne Lee for a discussion about how we take action to shift the narrative from one that is exclusive and often incorrect, to one that is authentic to ourselves and our stories.
Knowing that small change can make a tidal wave of change, these three discuss their personal journeys as examples of how they have individually taken action to change the narrative. From acting in roles and productions with representative stories, to providing access to those who are climbing the ladder now, to adapting stories with strong messages, this episode is full of inspiring solutions to using your voice and career to make change.
As they say, if we don’t take action now, we’re not just letting down those who came before us, but those who came after us.
Jason makes his first original-recipe cocktail and names it Bureau 68 after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen’s Bureau of 1865-1868. As he says, “[This cocktail] is built upon the specs of others through the lens of access, brought together in the combination of remembrance of all these accomplishments but also the combined bittersweetness of success.”
What advice can we give to those coming up behind us? How can we strive for individuality and the freedom that brings?
Nambi and The Lees suggest that by maintaining identity, self-love and actualizing kindness, we can achieve individuality. By being individual, which means being true-to-self, we can achieve a level of freedom; they further encourage us to be scared but then also be courageous. They ask, how do you change the narrative – how do you impact people? You tell the truth.
For more spirited discussions, make sure to subscribe to the podcast.
And if you’ve enjoyed thinking and mocktailing along with us, we’d love for you to leave us a review.
Cheers … and Please Drink Responsibly!
Links:
Guests:
Nambi E. Kelley
Jabari Dreams of Freedom
www.jabari-dreams-of-freedom.com
First Woman, Inc.
The Freedmen’s Bureau – The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen’s Bureau 1865-68 primary years)
https://www.freedmensbureau.com/
https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/FreedmensBureau.htm
GirlTrek
Lifeline - film
https://lagralane.com/#portfolio
Infants of the Spring by Wallace Thurman
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/868448.Infants_of_the_Spring
Lower Depth Theatre
Additional Links + Special thanks to:
Podcast Haven - https://thepodcasthaven.com/
Liam E. Allen (original music) - @Liamea97
“The way to shift the narrative is to be your most authentic self, and the most authentic self thereby engages in the community and creates change for others.”
-Nambi (minute 33:28)
Cocktail: Bureau 68
Bureau 68 was coined & created by Jason after being inspired by the actions of the Freedmen’s Bureau of 1865-1868.
Recipe
2.5 oz Hine Cognac
3/4 oz Rammazzotti Amaro
1/2 oz fresh lemon AND lime juice
1/4 oz simple syrup
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Dash(es) of Chard Cedar + Currant Bitters (Bitters Lab)
2 Blackberries
Shake & serve in Martini Glass. Add blackberry garnish.
About our special guest
Nambi E. Kelley
Actor & Writer
Nambi E. Kelley, award-winning actress/playwright is currently a television co-producer on Peacock's BEL AIR. Her stage adaptation of Richard Wright’s NATIVE SON has been seen across the country and premiered off-Broadway to multiple Drama League Award nominations and winning Best Play at the AUDELCO Awards. Nambi was also chosen by Toni Morrison to adapt her novel JAZZ. Former playwright-in-residence at the National Black Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, and Dramatists Guild Fellow, and recipient of the 2020 NNPN annual commission, Nambi is also a Prince Prize winner, developing a play on the life of Stokely Carmichael for Court Theatre in Chicago to premiere in the 2023-24 season. Nambi's production company, First Woman, is currently producing a digital and national tour of Nambi's young audiences' play, JABARI DREAMS OF FREEDOM. Nambi is in development with several other film and TV projects. www.nambikelley.com. www.jabari-dreams-of-freedom.com, www.firstwomaninc.com
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