JCAL Journeys

From the streets of Queens to the global stage, designer and creative director Tremaine Emory has always centered the Black experience. We sat down with him to talk about early inspirations, his experience growing up in St Albans, and the importance of a creative community. 

Culture is a vital part of our collective identity. It holds within it the power of language, history, and stories that are essential for future generations to understand. In this episode, we talk to creative, art collector, and archivist Syreeta Gates about her dedication to preserving the culture by any means.Later, we sit down with music journalist Brian Miller who talks about the importance of hip-hop documentation and being yourself while doing the work.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking to Rio Sakairi, the Artistic Director of The Jazz Gallery. She discusses the importance of recognizing jazz as a form of Black folk music and shares her efforts in creating opportunities for emerging musicians. She also sheds light on the distinct jazz perspective found in South East Queens.Later, we sat down with Charles and Carl Bartlett, retired teachers and founding members of the funk band The Bartlett Contemporaries. We talked about their three decades of career and the importance of art education in schools. 

Queens has been a mecca for Black families in NYC. Neighborhoods like St. Albans and Addisleigh Park held a special significance, fostering a rich, creative community. Preserving our history through the stories that often go untold is crucial. In this episode, Tunisia sits down with photographer Elias Williams to talk about the importance of documenting historically rich and underrepresented communities.We also have the pleasure of speaking with Steven Kroon, a musician with a remarkable career spanning four decades (Aretha, Luther and Lady Gaga are all on his roster). Queens, specifically St Albans, played a significant role in shaping and inspiring his journey. He grew up in a community surrounded by legendary figures such as Count Basie and countless others, who Kroon paid homage to during our conversation.fostering a rich, creative community. Preserving our history through the stories that often go untold is crucial. In this episode, Tunisia sits down with photographer Elias Williams to talk about the importance of documenting historically rich and underrepresented communities.We also have the pleasure of speaking with Steven Kroon, a musician with a remarkable career spanning four decades (Aretha, Luther and Lady Gaga are all on his roster). Queens, specifically St Albans, played a significant role in shaping and inspiring his journey. He grew up in a community surrounded by legendary figures such as Count Basie and countless others, who Kroon paid homage to during our conversation.

In this episode, we talk with Brenda Jones, the curator of Meet The Playwright. On the challenges underrepresented playwrights face and the significant role that community spaces play in democratizing the arts.Later, visual artist, educator and curator of Ancestral Nourishment Seema Shakti takes us through the inspiration of her latest exhibit and her overall body of work centering on women, nature, and spirituality.