Community Impact and Cultural Transformation | Something to Say (1-28-2025)
The latest episode of the “Something to Say”podcast on WPFW 89.3 features conversations with DMV marketing expert Gloria Nauden, communications professional Mercy Chikowore, and youth poet Saniya Pearson. These three guests discuss how arts and storytelling are transforming communities across the DC metro area.
The “Something to Say” podcast features diverse voices from all across the DMV. In this episode Host Mazi Mutafa and co-host Patrick Washington speak with marketing expert, Gloria Nauden, communications professional, Mercy Chikowore, and youth poet, Saniya Pearson. Each guest brings their unique perspective to the table in an episode that covers everything from growing up around the world to working in city politics.
In this episode of the "Something to Say" podcast, our host, Mazi Mutafa, interviews marketing strategist, Gloria Nauden. They discuss her various roles working in the arts and the DMV's cultural impact on both the U.S. and the globe. When talking about her time as the executive director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Nauden stated,
"The mission I wanted us to stay true to was to help transform communities through the arts"
Mazi also interviews communications professional, Mercy Chikowore. They discuss how to craft compelling stories and how to get the media to be interested in your product.
"I like to work with clients who have something to say, who have a goal."
Co-host Patrick Washington speaks with youth poet Saniya Pearson. Pearson shares a poem that she performed as part of "COTTON: A Retrospective"-a project inspired by photographer John E. Dowell's work, and done in collaboration with the Washington Performing Arts Society, The National Endowment for the Arts, and Words Beats & Life.
This episode underscored the importance that individuals and art organizations have on shaping the cultural landscape of our communities. From Gloria Nauden's important work with many community based organizations throughout the DMV, Mercy's expertise in elevating people's voices and narratives, and Saniya's gift of connecting with audiences through spoken word, all three are leaving their mark on the DMV and abroad!
Something to Say is recorded live on Washington, DC's Radio Station WPFW 89.3 and is produced by Words Beats & Life Inc.
