African Voices has launched "Harvest," a new podcast series debuting this Black History Month. The limited series spotlights conversations with established and emerging artists, including notable filmmakers, writers, museum curators, and creative visionaries who are shaping contemporary culture. The inaugural season launches with three episodes featuring groundbreaking voices in the arts and entertainment.
The first episode features Samantha Knowles, an award-winning filmmaker and recent recipient of the Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award 2025. Knowles is currently receiving widespread acclaim for her powerful new film Katrina: Come Hell and High Water, which examines one of America's most devastating natural disasters and its lasting impact. Knowles is also the director of Harlem Ice (Disney+), a 2026 Emmy-nominated documentary series.
Season one's second episode features Amy Andrieux, Executive Director of the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA). Andrieux shares insights from her latest exhibition featuring artist Esteban Whiteside. The show, titled "Beyond Rage," tackles social and political issues through a style reminiscent of Basquiat, exploring themes of racism, social justice, and community dialogue. Andrieux discusses MoCADA's evolution since its 1999 founding and the museum's ongoing mission to support Black artists and communities.
The third episode features Gregory Gates, founder of Eucalyptus Entertainment, who discusses his journey from spoken word contestant at the Apollo Theater to establishing a national poetry slam at the legendary Harlem venue. Gates has collaborated with music icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Stevie Wonder, and has produced major concerts, television shows, and films at prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Barclays Center, and the Prudential Center.
"I chose to name the podcast Harvest because it symbolizes the process of most cultural work; a sometimes long and evolving process that in the end yields beauty and abundance," says Carolyn Butts, Founder of African Voices. Butts established African Voices 34 years ago with a vision to amplify diverse creative voices and celebrate cultural contributions across the African diaspora.
The podcast series represents a significant expansion of African Voices' mission to foster cultural understanding through art, literature, and film. As a non-profit arts organization founded in 1992, African Voices carries out its mission through public programs, arts appreciation, and the publication of African Voices magazine. The magazine plays a pivotal role in helping writers and visual artists establish careers in art and publishing, reaching 38,000+ followers via websites and social media networks.
Harvest will air on Spotify and the African Voices YouTube channel. The organization has earned national respect among the literary community for publishing excellent fiction, poetry, and artwork, with Spelman College archiving their art collection for future generations.
