In the Pocket

This episode get to meet a Saundra Thomas, board member and advisor of Indigo Arts Alliance, a cultural nonprofit in Portland, Maine. Saundra Thomas will dazzle you with her 30 years of media experience and her love of Maine. Originally released in April of 2021 for In The Pocket.

Meet Jorge Pena, an entomologist turned painter. Listen as he explains his journey and what his art embodies. His art is also his way of sharing his oral history.

This episode sponsored by Nature Based Education Consortium dives into 2023's Downeast Juneteenth Commemoration. There will camping, sailing, chief provided meals and more!

This episode of ITP is a companion piece for Indigo Arts Alliance's Slavery Symposium Art In The Wake. We will hear Marcia Minter, their cofounder and director, take us through IAA's art residencies, their programming, their partnerships and their symposiums. Enjoy!

This episode is a companion piece for June's Downeast Magazine article about the Upper and Lower Negro Islands of the Bagaduce River. Listen to discover Black history and the new names of the island. This episode shares the writer's cut of the article with interview segments from Lisa Lutz of Castine Historical Society and Caleb Jackson of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Please enjoy this immersive experience.

This episode we meet Angela Okafor, a Bangor Maine resident. She is a renaissance woman with multiple businesses, from her law firm to her international market Tropical Tastes and Styles. She is groundbreaking in the work that she does to keep her community of Bangor unified and not divided. This hour long episode we talk about Black hair culture from its versatility to how it can be oppressed in the U.S. For the first time this ITP episode has a companion art installation which can be seen at Mayo Street Arts from May 5-June25. Opening reception is May 5th from 6pm-8pm. Gallery hours are Fridays and Sundays from 12pm-4pm. The art installation is called Afro in Utero and is a mixed media piece that furthers the discussion of Black hair culture in America. Hopefully, listeners in Maine take advantage of this immersive experience, while it lasts.

This episode meet Uncomon, a poet who became a rapper and singer. His debut album, Ourglass, dives into life's complex emotions and how we choose to handle them. Uncomon has a style reminiscent of Drake laden with emotional sentiment, listen as he explores his journey in creating music.

In this episode meet Michael Stiggle. He'll share why his lifelong experience in hospitality makes Timberwolves a fantastic establishment in Mars Hill, ME and his award winning elderberry syrup. He'll also talk about his church and discrimination his establishment has experienced. You can also get his barbeque sauces and spaghetti sauces in grocery stores, if you can't make it to Mars Hill.

This episode meet Alejandro Strong, an outdoor enthusiast. He shares with us what his Pack Raft Maine can offer its consumers, from day trips to expeditions. He also shares his philosophy on being boundless and how to enjoy nature.

In this episode we meet Margaret Brownlee again, this time we focus on her dissertation. Her dissertation documents the racism queer women of color encounter while at predominantly white institutions of education. Feel free to google her.

In this episode we meet art curator and humanitarian, Valeria Bembry. She'll share her trajectory through her formative adult years. As you listen, Valeria will share her stepping stones from Scarborough High School to London to Iraq and back to Maine, and all in between. Please take a look at her "artivism" exhibit at Space Gallery, Spitting Fire.

This pandemic thick episode of Portland Maine's 7th Poet Laureate has a lawn mower as a bonus guest. Listen as Maya, shares their journey in writing and spoken word.

This pandemic thick episode is one of guerrilla journalism where we take a different direction and interview a Nigerian about his activism when one of the busiest ports in the world, Lagos, was closed. In this episode we see the parallels of police brutality in Nigeria and the U.S.

In this pandemic thick episode, meet Desiree Nicole Lester. I like to think of this native of Maine as a curator of artistic taste. She also shares her independent thinking as an intrapreneur. Hear her thoughts a couple of years before she began helping others through rap music and meditation, on @rapmantrameditation.

This pandemic thick episode introduces us to Adilah, founder and executive director of The Third Place. The Third Place is an organizational collaborative and coworking space that supports Black entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals towards an equitable quality of space.

Meet Rhona, a cosmetologist with her own hair salon in Biddeford. This episode she'll share how she began her training and what services she offers. She'll also share about being a Mrs Maine contestant.

In this pandemic thick episode meet Rose and Jerry. They share the purpose and the journey it took to create Black Business directory in Maine. Give BOM a follow and you can learn how to support BOM if BOM resonates with you.

This pandemic thick episode we meet Nakeysa. She'll share her environmental insights and what 100% natural products she offers. She'll share her journey beginning this business while in college.

This episode we meet Alfine, a holistic health provider. You'll hear about her inspirations, her own lifestyle practices and how everyone is a curator of their own health. Give her a follow so you can be informed when she begins sharing custom video content.

This episode meet Konflik, who's been in the game 30+ yrs. The score of this episode is his music and the episode closes out with his song Stomp. He shares his journey from two decks and a mic (open mic) in Vermont to starting a record label, Afterlyfe, and his 2022 album release. Please give this creative a follow on Instagram.