They Banned Our Drums. Black Ingenuity Refused to Die

Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/they-banned-our-drums-black-ingenuity-refused-to-die-Episode Video Link: Black ingenuity is more than invention. It is the intelligence found in our relationships, cultural memory, creativity, rhythm, resistance, and ability to build community when established systems fail us.Dr. Kim McLear joins Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed to explore Afrofuturism as a civic practice and challenge society’s narrow definition of intelligence. Drawing from her experiences as a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, educator, engineer, artist, and first-generation American with roots in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Kim explains why our humanity must remain at the center of progress.The conversation examines the growing tension between technology and human connection, America’s literacy crisis, the loss of community relationships, and why productive conflict is necessary for growth.Dr. Kim also reveals how colonizers banned African drums in Trinidad because rhythm created solidarity. Black communities responded with bamboo and discarded metal, ultimately helping create the steelpan. They could outlaw the instrument, but they could not erase the rhythm.This episode is a powerful reminder that Black people are not merely consumers of the future. We are architects of it.▶︎ In This Episode00:00 Blackness Is More Than What People See02:42 Meet Dr. Kim McLear07:12 Public Service, Creativity, and Practicing Courage11:44 A Racial Awakening and the History Schools Leave Out19:52 Black Ingenuity Is Civic Intelligence28:06 Who Gets to Define Intelligence?34:08 Can We Embrace the Future Without Losing Our Roots?44:26 Literacy, Misinformation, and Civic Power49:27 Rebuilding Relationships and Restoring the Village57:00 Why Colonizers Banned African Drums01:07:03 Belonging and Resistance in Fascist Times01:12:22 Tony’s Tidbit: Imagination Is a Leadership Tool🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExecLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterTikTokWhatsApp⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbitfollow Tony across social media @TonyTidbitTwitterLinkedInFacebookThis episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .