Voices of Change: Art, Activism and Community Building | Something to Say 2-25-2025
This episode of the “Something to Say” podcast features an exciting lineup of guests from up-and-coming youth poets to established pillars of the DMV arts community.
The latest episode of “Something to Say” demonstrates the profound ways artists use their platforms to address social issues, build community resources and navigate an evolving creative landscape
Co-host Patrick Washington interviews Kashvi Ramani, Arlington County's 2022 Youth Poet Laureate, who shares selected poems addressing domestic violence in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Ramani's powerful word choice and presentation underscore poetry's unique ability to illuminate serious and deeply personal topics that often remain hidden from public discourse.
Host Mazi Mutafa speaks with Stan "Substantial" Robinson about the challenges creatives face as the creative economy undergoes significant changes. Robinson discusses his philosophy on navigating the world as a working artist, emphasizing the limitations of existing systems and structures.
"We have to continue to create our own systems, our own resources, our own opportunities to resolve the issues that we have that we deal with and face day to day," Robinson says.
His perspective highlights the necessity for artists to develop alternative pathways when traditional industry structures fail to serve their communities' needs.
Patrick's interview with multi-disciplinary artist Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman explores the intersection of teaching and performing arts. They discuss vulnerability in artistic expression and Ali-Coleman's nonprofit work, including her founding of Liberated Muse and Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice. Her dual role as educator and performer exemplifies how artists can expand their impact beyond individual creative practice.
The episode concludes with a poetry reading by Washington, D.C., poet Malachi "MalPractice" Byrd, reinforcing the show's commitment to providing a platform for local artistic voices.
This episode of "Something to Say" illustrates how contemporary artists are simultaneously addressing urgent social issues, creating sustainable career paths and building supportive community networks. From Ramani's unflinching examination of domestic violence to Robinson's call for independent creative systems to Ali-Coleman's educational activism, these conversations reveal art's capacity to function as both personal expression and social catalyst.
The diverse voices featured demonstrate that today's artists are not merely creating for aesthetic purposes but are actively working to transform their communities and industries. Their work suggests that authentic artistic expression and social responsibility are not competing priorities but complementary forces in building a more just and creative society.
"Something to Say" is recorded live on Washington, D.C.'s radio station WPFW 89.3 FM and is produced by Words Beats & Life Inc.
