Words Beats & Life Podcasts

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, speaks with Samora Pinderhughes, the Executive Director of The Healing Project. They discuss how Samora got interested in the arts and activism, and The Healing Project.    Co-host Patrick Washington speaks with the 2021 Prince George’s County Youth Poet Laureate, Sainey Ceesay, and rapper, poet, scholar, and activist, Malac...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, sits down with two producers of the show, Sydni Mingo and Donney Rose, as well as WPFW news reporter Chris Bangert-Drowns, and Alorie Clark of the DC Collaborative. They discuss the impact of the show on young people, pursuing a career in the arts and art administration, the importance of listener funded public radio, and th...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, sits down with Faith, a Words Beats and Life Academy student and Dr. Msia Clark, a professor at Howard University. They discuss the WBL Academy, the new hip-hop minor which will be available at Howard University, the evolution of racial identity throughout the world, Dr. Clark’s new book, and how hip-hop is changing througho...

In this episode of the "Something to Say" podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Carrie Fulton; Senior Organizing Director for The Center for Oil and Gas Organizing, and Gwendolyn Jones; founder of Climate Conversation Brazoria County. They discuss the importance of climate justice, the impact that industry has on surrounding communities, and the importance of regulations on community health....

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, sits down with Karen Baker to explore the Environmental Justice Artist Fellowship, artist advocacy, and the role of policy in supporting the arts. Next, Patrick Washington chats with Amasa Maleski, the 2021 Arlington, Virginia Youth Poet Laureate. Mazi then speaks to Kennedy Lucas, the 2024 Miss Black Maryland. Patrick Washi...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Clyde Valentin. They discuss Clyde’s experience getting started in the arts, the Arts for EveryBody movement, the value in working across a wide variety of communities, and building infrastructure to help improve community health.    Next we hear from co-host Patrick Washington who speaks with Saniya Pearson who is...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, Mazi Mutafa shares information on DC grants for artists.    We hear from Patrick Washington who speaks with the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate, Tara Prakash.    Mazi continues his discussion on the arts in the DMV, and opens up the phone lines to discuss arts with members of the community. Followed by a conversation with photographer N...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast Mazi Speaks with Jeanette McCune of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. They discuss Jeanette’s family, finding self expression through the arts, arts administration, and The Kennedy Center.   Next, we hear from co-host Patrick Washington who talks to the 2024 Arlington, Virginia Youth Poet Laureate, Mia Dimina, and the 2024 Prince...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Andrew Blickle, Bria Gibbs, and Termane Jay Jr., of Life Pieces to Masterpieces. They discuss the programming at Life Pieces to Masterpieces, the connection between sports and art, and the goals for the organization.    Patrick Washington speaks with the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate, Tara Prakash, and...

In this episode of “Something to Say” our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Joanna Harris of DC Public Libraries. They discuss Joanna’s family, how she got interested in literature, using libraries to give back to the community, and the “Know Your Power” workshops.   Patrick Washington speaks with the Youth Poet Laureate for Prince Georges County, Saniya Pearson and poet Amasa Maleski.   After that Ma...

In this episode of the "Something to Say" podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews rap artist Flex Mathews. They discuss Flex’s family history, creativity, creating art, being respectful as an artist, and upcoming performances.    Patrick Washington talks with the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate, Tara Prakash.    Mazi speaks with poet, artist, and author, Raquel Ra Brown. They discuss...

In this episode of the "Something to Say" podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, speaks with DJ 2-Tone Jones. They discuss his journey to becoming a DJ, collaborating with other artists, his current projects, and the inspiration behind Shaolin Jazz.   Patrick Washington speaks with Saniya Pearson who is the 2024 Prince Georges Count Youth Poet Laureate and Mia Diminia the 2024 Arlington Virginia Youth Poe...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews the President and CEO of Arts Fairfax, Stuart Holt. They discuss Stuart’s family, youth education in the arts, developing arts curriculum, the importance of opera, meeting the needs of artists, and the Poet Laureate program.    Patrick Washington speak with the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate, Tara Praka...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Hezekiah. They discuss Hezekiah’s family, becoming an artist, navigating the music scene, spending time in Philly, and the state of hip-hop.    Patrick Washington speaks with the 2023 Virginia State Youth Poet Laureate Kashvi Ramani.   Thank you for tuning into this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast!

In this episode of the "Something to Say" podcast our host, Mazi Mutafa, talks to jazz musician and singer Aaron Myers II. They discus s Aaron’s family background, his career, the state of the arts in DC, and making the arts equitable.   Patrick Washington speaks with the 2021 Arlington Youth Poet Laureate Amasa Maleski, and Isaac Yebio who is the 2024 Washington DC Youth Poet Laureate.    Mazi op...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews Karen Baker who is the founder of Social Art and Culture. They discuss Karen’s family history, her start as an artist, festival organization, helping artists, cultivating future generations of creatives, starting an artist fellowship.    Co-host Patrick Washington speaks with the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet...

In this episode Mazi Mutafa dives deep with Monica Sanders, Founder of The Undivide Project. They discuss Monica's path to becoming a lawyer, witnessing Hurricane Katrina, and her mission to bridge divides in D.C.   Patrick Washington chats with 2023 D.C. Youth Poet Laureate, Sophia Hall and later to 2023 PG County YPL, Precious Foreman. Mazi returns to speak with Maureen L. Dwyer, Executive Direc...

Host Mazi Mutafa interviews Kelvin Lyons, a Towards 2040 Fellow, about his family, podcast, mentors, leadership through the arts, and the fellowship itself. Mazi then chats with Ravish Momin, D.A. Mekonnen, and Kamyar Arsani. They share music, discuss collaborations,artistic journeys, and play some of their work. Co-host Patrick Washington takes over to interview 2024 Arlington County Youth Poet L...

In this episode of the “Something to Say” podcast, our host Mazi Mutafa interviews Taylor Matthews. They discuss Taylor's family history, her journey as an artist, her college experience, choreo poems, and the Day Breaks community. Next, Mazi introduces the new Youth Poet Laureates of Montgomery County, Arlington County, and Washington D.C. First, we hear from Tara Prakash of Montgomery County. Fo...

Our host, Mazi, welcomes Reem Bassous, the Artistic Director and Head of Faculty at the Washington Studio School. Their conversation explores Reem's educational background, her journey as an artist, her role at the Washington Studio School, and her experiences in teaching art. Next up, co-host Patrick Washington takes the stage. He interviews Tara Prakash, the 2024 Montgomery County Youth Poet Lau...

Host Mazi Mutafa dives into the world of cultural production with Asad Ali Jafri. They discuss Listening While Muslim, the Space Shift Collective, Asad's work with Words Beats and Life, and the Towards 2040 fellowship. Next, Mazi chats with 2040 Fellow Neverless about her journey to the U.S., building her dance studio, and the power of dance to build confidence. Co-host Patrick Washington takes th...

In this episode of the Something to Say podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, engages in enlightening conversations with a lineup of inspiring guests. First up is Poet and academy director, Donney Rose, delving into upcoming events and the Youth Poet Laureate Program. Following that, Mazi chats with Megan Truman from Think Like a Boss, exploring her journey from upbringing to entrepreneurship, community...

In this episode of the Something to Say podcast, our host Mazi Mutafa engages in insightful conversations with distinguished guests. First, Dr. Msia Clark, a respected professor at Howard University, joins Mazi to delve into the significance of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, her ongoing research and trip to South Africa, and the nuanced comparison between Afro-beat and hip-hop. They also explore vari...

In this episode of the Alt Spring break podcast our host Greg Corbin interviews Jeannine A. Cook. Jeannine is an author, bookstore owner, and non profit leader, among other things.    In this episode Jeannine and Greg discuss the inspiration behind her bookstore, family history, the importance of Harriet Tubman, spirituality, her time as a grant writer, and much much more!  

In this episode of "Something to Say," the podcast ventures abroad as our host, Mazi Mutafa, broadcasts from Nepal! Join Mazi as he engages in an enlightening conversation with Professor Jared Ball. Together, they delve into Professor Ball's recent thought-provoking speech at Bucknell University and explore broader themes surrounding Black History Month. Later on, we're privileged to have co-host...