We Can Be podcast - The Heinz Endowments
Society & Culture
Emmy-winning composer, director & photographer Emmai Alaquiva joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss the role of art in fighting “the radical particles that have been dropped in our laps” by the COVD-19 crisis, & protests brought on by the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, who were later fired.
Emmai is CEO of the media production entity Ya Momz House, which has produced work for clients such as Wiz Khalifa, The Roots, Martha Stewart, and NBC. He serves on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and is a dedicated husband and father with an impressive social media presence.
His photography is front and center in his ongoing Optic Voices project, which has opened eyes to race relations, equity movements, oppression, homophobia and xenophobia. Emmai and his camera have been working especially hard during these past few months, creating a record of life during COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Emmai is a positive force who is using his art and voice to expose truths during historically trying times. Hear about the recent photo that moved him most, why “it’s OK to not be OK” during times like this, and what he’ll tell his kids when they ask, “What did you do?”
We’ll be back later this summer with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.
The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin; guest image by Joshua Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.
The joy & complexity of giving w/ Giving Done Right author Phil Buchanan S02EP17
Poet, soldier, author & father Tim O’Brien on the extraordinary, beautiful power of maybe S02EP16
Building an army of support for refugees: Hello Neighbor’s Sloane Davidson S02EP15
Blindsided by the Taliban: Journalist & Postindustrial media co-founder Carmen Gentile S02EP14
From homelessness to Emmy Award winning composer & director: the shining light of Emmai Alaquiva S02EP13
Dr. Cornel West & Bikari Kitwana 2: the revolution in priorities our society needs S02EP12
Dr. Cornel West & Bikari Kitwana on the joy & struggle of today’s freedom fighters S02EP11
Different but united: the palpable positivity of 24-hours-a-day bridge-builder Wasi Mohamed S2EP10
From Parkland to Pittsburgh, student activists are forever altering the social change landscape S2E9
From Air Force plane nosedive to university president: Dr. Chris Howard & the power of mentoring S2EP8
Art is making souls soar in this rapidly changing neighborhood S02EP07
As environmental stakes rise, Emily Collins helps the underserved get a fair shake S02EP06
Trayvon Martin's activism legacy: mother Sybrina Fulton, Jasiri X & Black Lives Matter stand strong S2E5
Very Smart Brothas' Damon Young: the hyper-cognizance & beauty of being black in America S2E04
Archeology, family & fantasy: the fantastic Afrofuturist art of Alisha Wormsley S2E03
Tree of Life leaders: "We didn't think about courage; we thought about doing the right thing" S2E02
In aftermath of tragedy at Tree of Life synagogue, random acts of beauty & unity are the new normal (S02EP01)
Lifting the arc: Hazelwood’s Tim Smith & grassroots energy bring a new future to this riverfront community S01EP20
San Juan, PR Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz: speaking truth to power, green energy & her grandmother’s enduring impact. (S01EP19)
Truthful Art: Jasiri X on Trayvon Martin, Antwon Rose Jr. & the cross-section of unity that gives him hope. (S01EP18)
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