Episode 1 16 August 2020 BCA launches it's very first Black Out Series interview with Alvie McKree Elle Vie hosted by Diane Diane Wesh Poata Alvie McKree is an interdisciplinary artist, arts therapist and Qoya teacher. Her work is driven by a desire to foster connection to the earth, to people, to the ancestors, and to the divine. This manifests variously through facilitating therapeutic art workshops, offering Qoya, ritual, and ceremonial gatherings for women, and using performance and textile-based installations to reimagine the lived experiences of her ancestors as a means of healing the rifts in cultural identity caused by colonisation, migration, and the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Alvie is currently teaching part-time at Elam School of Fine Arts in Tāmaki Makaurau, facilitating therapeutic art and movement workshops, and developing her first play Black Māori Girl with support from BCA.

Episode 2 23 August 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with Mez Tekeste aka Mez Swami interviewed by Diane Wesh Meet Pharaoh Swami also known as Mez Tekeste. When comments were made that the BLM protest on 1 June 2020 was one of the most well organised marches, he had this to say, “God has been at the centre of this, for me. Call it God, call it love, call it Allah. Whatever you believe. Love and compassion has been at the centre of all of our messaging. We didn’t want to cause any drama. All we wanted was people to come together and show our African communities that they give a damn. When people said, ‘this is an American problem’, I didn’t realise we were that unseen. I didn’t realise people don’t know that there’s a massive African community.” A dynamic performer, lyricist and activist, Mez is captivating and will definitely leave you with a lot of food for thought!

Episode 3 30 August 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with @Janina Asiedu aka Janina Nana Yaa interviewed by Diane Wesh MeetJanina Asiedu also known as Janina Nana Yaa. What would you say when asked, "What makes New Zealand beautiful?" "Truthfully I think New Zealand is quite flawed and built out of a foundation of greed and corruption. A system that hasn’t and doesn’t prioritise its indigenous or Asase Yaa/Papatuanuku. Things are shifting slowly. I believe Aotearoa is so much more than beautiful. It has abundance and richness underneath a lot of the cold structures in place. I couldn't even think of the words to describe the privilege I feel to be a settler here. So many things feed its’ beauty."

Episode 4 6 September 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with Quentin DeAngelo Warren interviewed by @dDiane Wesh Hailing from the USA, Quentin relocated to New Zealand three years ago to perform in Indian Ink's 'The Murder House' and connect with artists who have an alternative world view. As an accomplished actor with a bunch of shows under his belt both in the USA and right here in NZ, Quentin reflects on the passing of Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman, saying: “Chadwick and I share an Alma Mater. Howard University. We were bred at the same training grounds. He feels like family. The entire Fine Arts family at Howard is feeling a huge loss. He made a huge impact on the world and the industry. He showed the world that a dark skinned black man can lead a tent pole super hero action film. And all while being incredible ill. His dedication and departure is definitely a call to action for actors like myself. We have to pick up where he has left off. We have to continue his legacy. H-U! YOU KNOW!”

Epsiode 7 27th Septmeber 2020 BCA is proud to present the next episode of #BlackOutSeriesNZ featuring Jax Hamilton Cooks interviewed by Diane Wesh! From solo Mum to representing Progressive Enterprises Ltd and Countdown Supermarkets, Jax Hamilton is known to many as a contestant in *MasterChef NZ. By the time she stood in the gripping final, she was already a loved and trusted foodie figure in New Zealand homes. Since then she has continued to develop her TV presence, written two best-selling cookbooks, contributes regularly to iconic food and wine magazine, Cuisine, and recently, released her highly successful online, web series, Jax Food Hax. With a British (cockney), Jamaican heritage, ’Jax’ is simply a recipe of ingredients, people, charity, humour, inspiration and adventure. Every dish, mixed together with a combination of personality and love.

Episode 5 13th September 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with Sahara Magura, The Afro Islander, interviewed by Diane Wesh She has a page called The Afro Islander which is managed by her mum, Atalasa Salesa. This page was created to document Sahara's journey but also place a spotlight on the racism and bullying she experiences both at school and outside of it. Earlier this year, her mum posted this: "It’s so heartbreaking to see my beautiful girl cry about hating her african heritage and hating her hair. She is such a heartwarming beautiful child! Her old teacher rung her today to remind her she is special and has such a beautiful heart and to never let anyone make her feel like she is less then others. Absolutely put her on cloud nine!! Parents and schools, I implore you to speak with your children. Teach them about diversity and respect. Talk with them, so they understand words hurt, actions hurt! There are far too many child suicides and it’s about time we all take part in the solution! Make it a conversation! I see a lot of posts of videos of children going viral and people having their say, but what are you really doing to help the situation?" We hope you're looking forward to hearing from the beautiful young creative and will create a space for her that's filled with love and kindness!

Episode 6 20th September 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with Domingo Candelario, interviewed by Diane Wesh Singer/song writer Domingo Candelario was born in the heart of La Havana, Cuba. As a child he was greatly influenced and inspired by the Brazilian music that his parents listened to. He went on to develop his own unique style within the "Nueva Trova" movement which began in the late '60s and has its roots in traditional Cuban folk music, incorporating progressive and often politicized lyrics. This is sure to be a fascinating conversation & we're excited for you to get to meet him!

Episode 8 14th October 2020 BCA continues the Black Out Series interview with Ricky Wilkins, interviewed by Diane Wesh. Tomorrow LIVE on our Facebook page, you get to meet Ricky Ocie Bonacks! Hip hop Instructor, Ricky has always used dancing to bring people together and create positive energy. Hailing from Los Angeles, Ricky is also a youth worker and has facilitated dialogues on race and class with the youth he works with. With a BA in Social work from Utah, Ricky has always had a passion to help others and make sure that people are treated fairly. He self-identifies as a “Laughing revolutionary” understanding that even in these horrific times, we have to find something be smile about. Always dancing, always laughing, and always fighting: Ricky continues to understand this world, giving a “beat” to the “Rhythmless.”

Episode 9 11th October 2020 Our next #BlackOutSeriesNZ interviewee on Sunday is Sharl Fynn-Wagner! Born in Durban, South Africa Sharl Fynn-Wagner graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Technology in Somatology (Uni of Tech, Durban) and later completed her Masters Degree in Health Promotion at the University of KwaZulu Natal with Complementary Therapies and Wellness as her niche. Born of mixed ethnicity in a time where people of colour had limited resources available to them, Sharl’s journey of self-discovery and ancestral background has propelled her drive towards working with indigenous women to promote self-acceptance, love and healing. She currently lectures at the Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty and is an advocator of holistic wellness, where she finds joy in the role she plays in teaching and connecting with young women and watching them grow.

Episode 10 LIVE on Sunday, 18 October, for #BlackOutSeriesNZ, we have the honour of getting to know, Bohemian Thanni! Bohemian Thanni was born in the UK with ancestry hailing from Nigeria. He is a trained well-being facilitator and Ka Huna transformational body worker, based on the Hawaiian Huna philosophy. On the music scene he performs under ‘Bohemian Thought’ and he is known for his energetic and charismatic styles. He is also a recording artist who released his debut album ‘Magnificent Dyslexic’ in 2011. This album earned him notoriety when it won the best Afro-Jazz fusion at the Afro-Australian Music (2014) and Movie Awards in Sydney, Australia. He is looking forward to the release of his sophomore album, ‘Nomadic Soul’ in 2021, with the single, “Black” released back in 2018.

Episode 11 25 October 2020 The BCA continues the #BlackOutSeriesNZ journey with Asya Mohamed Abeid! Creative entrepreneur and fashion designer Asya Mohamed Abeid is the founder of Zanzibar, an African Fashion house which specialises in creating bespoke fashion items as well as providing a range of African inspired homewares. From the island of Zanzibar (an island off the coast of Tasmania) Asya has Portuguese and Iranian heritage on her father’s side and Mombasian, Kenyan and Yemeni on her mother’s. Both the Arab and the African world are entwined in her heritage enabling her to draw upon a range of rich histories to inspire her creations. She uses kintege, an African fabric she to develop a distinctive range of cushion covers, wall art, children’s, women’s and men’s clothing and accessories.

Episode 12 1st November 2020 We're wrapping up #BlackOutSeriesNZ over the next couple of weeks! On the 1st of November, we meet some the incredibly talented, Jess Bourke! JessB, is a rapper and former professional netballer. Jess has been crafting raps since high school and credits Missy Elliott and Timbaland as her musical heroes. She has released two EPs (Bloom and New Views) and won Best New Zealand Act at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards. Performing at a diverse range of festivals and events including Venice Biennale, Rhythm & Vines, Northern Bass, Auckland City Limits and Splendour in the Grass, Jess is stamping her authority as a powerful female rap artist, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for other female musicians.

Episode 13 8th November 2020 And just like that, we've come to the end of #BlackOutSeriesNZ! What a journey it's been and we hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have creating it! In our final interview, we interview the incredible Sonya Renee Taylor! Artist, Activist and transformational leader Sonya Renee Taylor is a National and International award winning writer and performer, published author, and founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, an international digital media and education company committed to radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool of social justice, whose content reaches over 1 million people monthly. She has shared stages with such luminaries as the late Amiri Baraka, Angela Davis, Naomi Klein, Sonia Sanchez and others. In 2016, Sonya was a guest of the Obama White House, where she spoke about TBINAA’s work at the intersection of LGBTQIAA+ issues and disability justice. You can learn more about her radical self love work at www.thebodyisnotanapology.com.