54Lights

As we near the close of our third season of 54Lights, we’re dedicating the next few episodes on culture creators that are pushing our collective world ever forward. This next episode intercepts the prolific community activist Dr. Joseph Smith who, as you’ll hear in the conversation, is no average Joe. He’s a bold entrepreneur that has created youth programs, a speaking practice and continues to cr...

In a sublime departure from our regular programming, 54Lights host Kondwani Mwase sat down with singer songwriter Al Lee to talk about his poignant work – Revolution St. The album, the artist’s second release, is a deeply personal endeavour. From his home in Revelstoke BC, Al Lee broke down his early days in music and even shared that his original move to the mic (i.e. singing) was born of necessi...

In Part Two of our interview with FoodShare's Executive Director Paul Taylor, 54Lights podcast asks our guest to help explain the impetus and strategy of FoodShare. In his profoundly thoughtful responses, Paul Taylor takes us through the food system and how communities can find agency for advancement through food. Far from the only lever, food has a way of empowering and feeding (pardon the pun) t...

FoodShare is a community-led organization whose work centres around disrupting the food system - in a way that will make good healthy food accessible for all. As part of our mini-series finale on food (the space, the supporting systems and the people that drive and thrive in the ecosystem), 54Lights sat down with FoodShare's Executive Director Paul Taylor to talk about the impact of the organizati...

In our latest episode of 54Lights we were joined in our virtual studios by the three driving forces behind KIF Radio. KIF is an innovative podcast that features music from emerging artists in the world of AfroBeats, Hip Hop and R&B. The show is masterfully managed by Grace Saqui and features addictive beats curated by two of the most impressive DJs on the planet - IMVNZI and Sound Curator. Mor...

As part of our foray into the world of culinary delights we spent time with Chef Kwasi - Ghanian entrepreneur who's based in Toronto. Kwasi talked to us about his love of food and why it brings him, and his patrons, happiness. From the painstaking care he takes in making meals to the compassion and care that goes into seeking ingredients, Kwasi's catering company is tantalizing tastebuds of custom...

As a shout out to racing fans across the globe, 54Lights is proud to elevate our inspiring conversation with Toka Murphy - a 23 year old racing phenom. Toka sat down with us weeks before the now cancelled Montreal F1 Grand Prix. The athlete took us through his obsession with cars and opened up about how he took a casual adoration of the sport to an immersive fascination. From car meets to friends...

Easton Robinson is the chef, owner and originator of JerkUp Central...a takeout and catering business dedicated to healthier Caribbean cuisine. Easton's Jamaican heritage and influences come through boldly in his array of flavourful food.  Easton sat down with 54Lights to take us through the birth of his business, his dedication to creating authentic Caribbean food and how he's battled advers...

Marko Da Costa is a young and talented writer...one who evokes deep emotions in his work. In his first work - The Art of Feeling - Marko takes readers through an immersive, and sometimes painful experience of love and loss.  We caught up with Marko in our virtual studios and let him talk us through what led him to write such a poetic and profound work. Marko bravely opened up about his life a...

When Papa Balla Ndong launched his ambitious SIETAR Art Project, I had no idea how profound his initiative would have. The work spans hundreds of pages and threads together work, perspective and letters from contributors around the globe. It started in Europe, debuting in Paris, and has found it's way to Japan, Switzerland and countless other places across the globe. As a product of SIETAR, the Ar...

On this episode we are humbled to say that the amazing Naledi Jackson is back with us for a second episode on 54Lights. Naledi was our very first guest and years later she is back to share more of her story. Naledi is a writer, director and producer who has methodically made her way up the movie-making ladder. Her resume, which includes work on the Netflix series “Anne with an E” and her own actio...

In the most highly anticipated episode in our 3 seasons, we are joined in our virtual studios by award-winning author Hanif Abdurraqib. The lyrical genius who’s authored popular bestsellers such as Go Ahead in The Rain , They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us , A Fortune For Your Disaster and The Crown Ain’t Worth Much met with us to share his perspective on writing and the creative process.  Hanif...

54Lights sat down with executive Chef Kiki Louya to talk about her career in food. The renowned chef opened up to us about her life, businesses and motivations. The conversation touched on important topics like food sustainability, the true DNA of an executive chef as well as what it takes to handle the heat of Bravo's Top Chef kitchen - where she is a "Cheftestant" for Season 18.

54Lights sits down with the young, impressive founder and editor of ARK Magazine, Marie Powell. She openly shares her experiences in the fashion industry and the next big steps. Why the name “ARK” you ask? Let Marie tell you.

In our first instalment of a mini-series focused on writers, we sat down with Ties That Tether author Jane Igharo. Her book, a modern-day love story, appeals to a wide variety of cultures and mindsets. She builds out a strong and complex protagonist and layers in very authentic tensions experienced by people dating outside of their culture.

This episode on 54Lights is a rebroadcast of a collaborative effort done with the Ontario Aids Network (OAN). It features a conversation with our influential activist Amanuel Melles. The main purpose of this episode is to shed light on work that's being done, somewhat behind the scenes, by organizations like the OAN and prominent activists like Amanuel.

Season III continues in celebration of culture creators by sitting down with Chawanangwa Mphande. She's the founder of AFERS, an aspiring non-profit, to talk about her move from Canada to the warm heart of Africa, her personal perspective on mental health and how she is fighting local stigmas. And while her fight is focused at the local level, the challenges surrounding mental health are indisputa...

54Lights theme song composers, Andy Ninvalle and Joachim Notebaert, join us for a chat about their road to making magical music. The two joined us from Europe to talk about their journeys as well as their current struggle to making a living in the creative field.

In a podcasting first for 54Lights, we sit down with a multi-talented creative philanthropist Fungai Mettler to talk about her work, her outlook and her therapeutic style of storytelling. This episode was a dual broadcast...with both Fungai and Kondwani sharing turns asking questions for their respective shows.

In the first episode of Season III, Art Malawi's founder Manota Mphande sat down with us to talk about how art can drive progressive change, how art can be reimagined to keep artists working and how the business of art is evolving in the warm heart of Africa.

54Lights launches Season III of the podcast with a call to unity and togetherness. Echoing the spirit of Ubuntu and the call to action of African giants, this glimpse represents a small glimmer of what's in store for the days, weeks and months ahead.

In a preview of what's in store for Season III, 54Lights is releasing an abbreviated peak at a fun-filled conversation with Roland Best - founder of E-RoL Beats.

Enjoy a deeply personal interview with leader, writer, entrepreneur and activist Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr. She opens up to us about her work, her philosophy and her approach to helping women achieve their full potential.

The latest instalment of 54Lights podcast featured a deeply philosophical conversation with author Stafford Attzs. A clinical technician whose range of knowledge spans from pew to pugilism, Attzs has recently written a book - The Narrow Path That Few Will Find: The Evolution of Christianity. 54Lights host, Kondwani Mwase and Stafford sat down to unpack religion, scripture and adherence to doctrine...

This just in…54Lights podcast sat down with Montreal Chef James Mitchell to talk about his culinary business. Over the years, Chef Mitchell has been methodically plying his trade so that his business can thrive and survive during the chaos of COVID. From chef’s tables to cooking classes, Jaime (as he’s known to some) has made something sustainable in a time where organizations are teetering on the...