African Voices has launched "Harvest," a new podcast series debuting this Black History Month that spotlights conversations with established and emerging artists shaping contemporary culture. The limited series features notable filmmakers, writers, museum curators, and creative visionaries from the African diaspora.
The inaugural season launches with three episodes featuring groundbreaking voices in arts and entertainment. Award-winning filmmaker Samantha Knowles opens the series, discussing her work including the Emmy-nominated documentary series Harlem Ice on Disney+ and her powerful new film examining Hurricane Katrina's lasting impact. Knowles recently received the Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award 2025 for her contributions to filmmaking.
Executive Director Amy Andrieux of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) shares insights from the museum's latest exhibition featuring artist Esteban Whiteside. The exhibition "Beyond Rage" tackles social and political issues through a style reminiscent of Basquiat, exploring themes of racism, social justice, and community dialogue. Andrieux discusses MoCADA's evolution since its 1999 founding and the museum's ongoing mission to support Black artists and communities.
Gregory Gates, founder of Eucalyptus Entertainment, discusses his journey from spoken word contestant at the Apollo Theater to establishing a national poetry slam at the legendary Harlem venue. Gates has collaborated with music icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Stevie Wonder, and has produced major concerts, television shows, and films at prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Barclays Center, and the Prudential Center.
"I chose to name the podcast Harvest because it symbolizes the process of most cultural work; a sometimes long and evolving process that in the end yields beauty and abundance," says Carolyn Butts, Founder of African Voices. Butts established African Voices 34 years ago with a vision to amplify diverse creative voices and celebrate cultural contributions across the African diaspora.
The podcast's launch during Black History Month provides timely recognition of Black cultural contributions while creating a lasting platform for these conversations. By featuring both established and emerging artists, the series bridges generations within the creative community and documents the evolution of Black artistic expression over decades.
Harvest will air on Spotify and the African Voices YouTube channel, making these conversations accessible to broad audiences. The series represents African Voices' continued commitment to fostering cultural understanding through art, literature, and film, building on their 34-year history of amplifying diverse creative voices.
The podcast's focus on cultural "harvest"—the long process of artistic creation yielding meaningful results—resonates particularly during Black History Month as it highlights both historical contributions and contemporary innovations. By documenting these conversations, African Voices creates an archive of cultural knowledge and artistic practice that will inform future generations of creators and audiences alike.
