Artivism with Iman Jordan

What if philanthropy stopped deciding what communities need—and started listening to the people already doing the work? In this special live episode of the Artivism Podcast, Iman Jordan sits down with Brenda Solòrzano, President and CEO of The California Endowment, from the We the People exhibition in South Los Angeles. Brenda challenges traditional power dynamics in philanthropy and explores what...

What if creativity isn’t something we manufacture—but something we learn to tune into? In this episode of Artivism , I sit down with multidisciplinary artist, sound researcher, and immersive creator Aziza Love for a conversation about music, nature, spirituality, presence, and the artist’s role in helping us heal. Aziza shares how growing up in Cincinnati shaped her through funk, soul, gospel, and...

What does it mean to grow up in one of the most influential activist households in American history? In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Gina Belafonte —producer, activist, Executive Director of Sankofa.org, and daughter of the legendary Harry Belafonte—to explore the intersection of art, justice, and legacy. Gina shares unforgettable stories of growing up around civil rights ico...

What happens after you win a Grammy? For Ariel Loh and me, the award wasn't an ending—it became the beginning of a much bigger mission. In this episode of Artivism , we explore how a chance encounter at a queer music gathering led to our Grammy-winning collaboration on Deliver , and how that experience transformed the way we think about art, identity, community, and purpose. Ariel shares her journ...

In this episode of Artivism , I sit down with singer-songwriter India Shawn for an honest conversation about what it means to evolve—not just as an artist, but as a human being. We talk about growing up singing in church, unexpectedly finding her path into music, navigating the highs and lows of the music industry, and why protecting your peace has become non-negotiable. India opens up about spiri...

Model, musician, DJ, and creative force Shaun Ross joins Artivism for a powerful conversation about identity, authenticity, and what it takes to remain true to yourself in a world that constantly pressures us to conform. Growing up as a Black queer kid with albinism in the Bronx, Shaun learned early what it meant to be different. Rather than shrinking himself to fit other people's expectations, he...

Grammy-winning artist and ArtWell founder Iman Jordan sits down with acclaimed poet, musician, and activist Aja Monet for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, consciousness, community, and the role of art in a rapidly changing world. Together, they explore the tension between rhythm and algorithms, the impact of social media on our collective psyche, surrealism as a tool for imagining new re...

In this deeply soulful conversation, Devin Tracy joins Artivism to unpack the spiritual side of creativity, trusting divine timing, and the emotional realities of being an artist in today’s world. From growing up singing gospel in Jacksonville, to creating globally loved records through intuition and alignment, Devin opens up about the lessons that shaped him — including isolation, perfectionism,...

On this episode of Artivism , we sit down with Figgy Baby — an internationally touring artist redefining what it means to exist in hip hop. From freestyling in college cyphers to commanding festival stages, Figgy’s journey is anything but linear. We dive into the realities of building a career from the margins, navigating identity in a genre that hasn’t always made space for it, and the courage it...

Today’s guest is Gavin Turek—an artist whose presence doesn’t just fill a room, it lifts it. Her performances feel like a full-bodied transmission of joy—rooted in movement, discipline, and emotional truth.  But behind that energy is something deeper. In this conversation, we explore what it means to stay open as an artist—especially in seasons that feel heavy. Gavin shares her journey through dis...

If you’re an artist, creative, or content creator trying to grow—but struggling to stay motivated and consistent on social media—this episode is for you. I sit down with rising artist Jair—an international voice blending soul, alternative rock, vulnerability, and a modern approach to the digital age. Jair’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when artistry meets consistency. In just one...

If you care about creativity, culture, and using your voice in a complicated world, this episode is for YOU. In this episode of Artivism , I sit down with artist, songwriter, and cultural commentator Adiv to talk about what it means to be an artist in a time when the internet rewards reaction but still hungers for meaning. We explore Adiv’s journey from church choirs and songwriting to becoming a...

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “arrive,” this one is for you! In this episode, I sit down with Gayathri Krishnan — a Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, producer, and music educator whose sound lives at the intersection of soul, neo-soul, R&B, and South Indian Carnatic tradition. We talk about devotion as a creative practice. About vibration as truth. About starting with nothing but a v...

What if fear — not talent — is the only thing holding you back? If you’re an independent artist navigating social media, AI, burnout, and the pressure to be perfect — this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode of Artivism , I sit down with Connor Musarra, the artist who wrote, produced, and posted a new song every single day for 365 days. No perfection. No label. No waiting. We talk about...

Who are you as an artist when the old labels, personas, and definitions fall away? In this episode of Artivism , I sit down with KÉO —R&B/pop artist, producer, and wellness practitioner—for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, identity, and the courage it takes to come back to yourself as an artist. KÉO shares her journey from performing behind a persona to shedding old skins, redefinin...

In this engaging conversation, Iman Jordan explores the intersection of art and activism, discussing the challenges artists face in maintaining creativity amidst burnout and societal pressures. They delve into the making of RM47's project 'Cyber', the financial struggles within the music industry, and the importance of group dynamics in artistic collaboration. The discussion also highlights the si...