Shaping Freedom With Lisane Basquiat

What does it mean to leave a legacy when the people who shaped history are often left out of the story? On this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat speaks with Dr. Margena Christian, journalist, author, media scholar, and former editor at Ebony and Jet. Through her book, It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy, Dr. Christian shines a light on Motown's...

What if true freedom begins when we learn to give ourselves the same hope, grace, and care we offer others? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat and Major, singer and songwriter best known for his hit song “Why I Love You,” explore the power of courage, purpose, and hope. Known as the “hope dealer,” Major shares lessons from his journey and how they have shaped the way he approaches...

What if freedom isn’t about chasing the biggest dream, but staying curious enough to recognize the opportunities you never imagined? On this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with acclaimed television writer, producer, showrunner, and bestselling novelist Rasheed Newson. From co-developing Bel-Air to writing his latest novel, There’s Only One Sin in Hollywood, Rasheed has built...

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Tiffany Toney—actress, filmmaker, former professional athlete, author, and founder of the Watch Her Glow Foundation—for a powerful conversation about reinvention, ownership, body autonomy, and learning to trust yourself. Tiffany shares how the discipline she developed as an athlete carried into acting and filmmaking, why she ultimately chose to creat...

What happens when always pushing through becomes the very thing keeping you from slowing down and facing what you feel? In this episode, Lisane sits down with Bahamian jazz trumpeter and composer Giveton Gelin to talk about his journey, his Haitian-Bahamian roots, and the pressure to keep moving forward even when something deeper needs attention. Giveton opens up about becoming a “functional depre...

What happens when the unspoken rules of a family force a child to carry secrets they never agreed to keep? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat catches up with repeat guest Phill Branch , an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and founder/creative director of the Baltimore Story Fest. In an intimate, candid conversation , Lisane and Phill dive into his memoir, The Double Dutc...

What does it take to carry a historic legacy forward without being crushed by the weight of expectation? In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, and Teri Ijeoma . The conversation turns into an unscripted celebration when the room receives live news that Teri’s book, A Risk Worth Taking, jus...

What does it take to carry a historic legacy forward without being crushed by the weight of expectation? In Part 1 of this special two-part episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat sits down with Kenneth B. Morris Jr., Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds, and Teri Ijeoma . The conversation turns into an unscripted celebration when the room receives live news that Teri’s book, A Risk Worth Taking, jus...

What happens when the story you've told yourself about your family isn't the whole story? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with relationship educator Tania Khazaal for an honest conversation about family estrangement, generational healing, and the courage it takes to see the people we love and ourselves with fresh eyes. Drawing from her own experience of cutting off co...

Why do families keep passing down the same struggles—and how do we finally break the cycle? In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Pulitzer Prize finalist Lee Hawkins and Emmy Award-winning producer P. Frank Williams for a powerful conversation about generational trauma, financial literacy, identity, and the stories we inherit. Together, they explore how history shapes...

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat welcomes back Shanti Das, founder of Silence the Shame, for an honest conversation about where we are today when it comes to mental health, community, and the importance of choosing joy in difficult times. Together, they explore how economic uncertainty, burnout, and growing division are affecting our collective well-being, why conversations about mental health are...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by actor, activist, and ZERO Prostate Cancer ambassador Ricco Ross for a conversation about identity, emotional resilience, health, and what it truly means to live a grounded life. Ricco reflects on the experiences that shaped him, from growing up in a working-class family in Chicago to traveling the world, losing his father at a young...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Jill McManigal, co-founder of Kids for Peace, for a heartfelt conversation about kindness, emotional responsibility, and what becomes possible when we teach peace early enough to shape future generations. Together, they explore how children naturally lead with compassion when given the opportunity, and why creating spaces rooted in e...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Haskel Jackson Jr., Jared Baisley, and Sean Lewis from Music for Your Mental Health for a powerful conversation about music, healing, and emotional connection. Together, they explore how music can become a bridge to self-awareness, communication, and mental wellness, especially for young people who may not yet have the language to ex...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by Darren Waller, former NFL Pro Bowl tight end, musician, and mental health advocate, for a powerful conversation about identity, healing, and redefining success. They explore how chasing external validation can lead to disconnection, and how Darren’s journey through addiction, sobriety, and recovery forced him to confront the deeper p...

In this episode, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Shawn McClendon, author of Understanding Each Other: The Blueprint for a New America and founder of the Sister Cities Project, for a timely conversation about communication and division. They explore how many of today’s conflicts stem not just from poor communication, but from how we interpret each other through past experiences and assumptions. Shaw...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with filmmakers Lin Que Ayoung and Rashad Frett, the creative forces behind Ricky, a powerful film that goes far beyond one person’s story. Together, they explore how identity is shaped early, how roles get assigned, and what it takes to break free from patterns that no longer serve us. Drawing from their own lived experiences and commu...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Glenn and Yvette Henry, creators of How Married Are You?, for a real and honest conversation about marriage, identity, and the work it takes to grow together. They share how their relationship was shaped by what they each brought into it, from family patterns and expectations to unhealed experiences, and how those things showed up...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat is joined by married creative duo Jevin and L. Marie Smith for a real and honest conversation about love, partnership, and building a life together. From meeting as actors in a play to raising a family and creating together, they share their journey with humor and openness. They talk about the importance of clear communication, learning how to gr...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Grammy Award–winning songwriter, producer, and vocal coach Autumn Rowe to explore the journey of finding your voice and using it with purpose. Raised in the South Bronx, Autumn shares how music became both an outlet and a path forward, eventually leading her to write and produce songs for artists like Dua Lipa, Diana Ross, and Jon...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Taylor Cassidy, creator of the viral series Fast Black History, to explore how storytelling, imagination, and courage can transform the way we understand history. Taylor shares how a moment in her high school history class sparked a mission to fill the gaps in how Black history is taught. What began as a 15-second video filmed on h...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Malcolm Regisford, founder of Tapped In Wellness, holistic wellness advocate, former Division I athlete, and plant-based cook. Malcolm shares how an injury during his college basketball career forced him to rethink identity, success, and what it really means to take care of the body and mind. Drawing from his journey as an athlete...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell, co-founder and CEO of Spill, to talk about building community in a digital world that often feels anything but safe. After being laid off from Twitter, Alphonzo chose to build something new — a platform rooted in belonging, cultural ownership, and real connection. Together, Lisane and Alphonzo explore lead...

What does it mean to honor the past while creating your own path forward? In this episode, Lisane Basquiat sits down with Ayanna Gregory, singer, dramatist, and activist, to reflect on growing up in a family rooted in the civil rights movement and how those experiences shaped her journey. Ayanna shares stories about her father Dick Gregory, the values of courage and compassion she carries with her...

In this episode of Shaping Freedom, host Lisane Basquiat is joined by Simone Adams, founder and executive director of Color My Outdoors, for a deeply reflective conversation about legacy, nervous system regulation, and the courage it takes to live outside inherited expectations. Simone shares her journey from hustle-driven life and people-pleasing into a slower, more intentional rhythm rooted in n...