Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This ...
Marjuan Canady: Pioneering Paths in Broadway and Creative Entrepreneurship
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Marjuan Canady, a Tony-nominated Broadway producer, award-winning Caribbean-American artist, and cultural entrepreneur. From creating her one-woman show, Girls! Girls? Girls. to founding the Callaloo brand of children’s books, puppetry, and theater, Marjuan shares her journey of centering Black and Caribbean stories in her work. Listen as she discusses her path from acting to producing, her experiences balancing the creative and business sides of her career, and the importance of cultural identity in storytelling. Discover how Marjuan is creating opportunities for artists and inspiring the next generation of creatives.🔗 Connect with Marjuan: Website | Instagram | Facebook🌐 Find out more about Callaloo Kids and the Canady Foundation for the Arts.🌐 Fellowships mentioned: Black Theatre UnitedThe Prince FellowshipFront Row Productions Fellowship📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Mitra Arthur: Building Bridges Between the Performing and Cinematic Arts
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Mitra Arthur, a dynamic storyteller with a background spanning the performing and cinematic arts. Mitra shares her journey from live arts and arts administration to producing, directing, and editing impactful films and media. Now a video producer at NPR Music, Mitra discusses the importance of honoring Black women’s stories, fostering curiosity, and creating spaces where art fosters connection and community. Discover how Mitra’s journey reflects McNeil Creative Enterprises’ mission to amplify creatives’ voices and cultivate transformative arts experiences.🌐 Find out more about Mitra Arthur on NPR.👁️🗨️ Read: What Happened to All the Black Girl Groups?🎵 Listen to Durand Jones – Wait Til I Get Over📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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Jennifer Bowman: Bridging Communities Through Music
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil welcomes Jennifer Bowman, Houston Grand Opera's Director of Community and Learning. Together, they explore Jennifer’s journey as a trailblazer in arts leadership, her dedication to making opera accessible, and the powerful ways she fosters community connections through creativity and collaboration. Discover the magic that happens when passion meets purpose in the arts and entertainment industry.🔗 Connect with Jennifer: LinkedIn🌐 Find out more about the Houston Grand Opera.📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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39:04
C. Brian Williams: Transforming Stepping into a Global Art Form
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews C. Brian Williams, founder and executive producer of Step Afrika!, the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. From its origins at Howard University to becoming an internationally celebrated cultural ambassador, Step Afrika! has revolutionized the art of stepping. Brian shares how the company honors the roots of stepping while evolving it into a world-class art form, the challenges of running a dance company, and the importance of cultural preservation through movement. Learn how Step Afrika! employs artists full-time, performs globally, and continues to innovate after 30 years of impact.🌐 Find out more about Step Afrika!:Watch Step Afrika! on The TODAY ShowCatch Step Afrika! in Washington, DCWebsite | Instagram | Youtube | Facebook📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
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54:09
Mastering Publicity Strategies with Nyle Washington
On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Nyle Washington, Senior Award Series Publicity and Talent Relations Manager at Netflix. With over 20 years of experience in PR and media strategy, Nyle shares her journey from internships at The Oprah Winfrey Show to leading award-winning campaigns for hit Netflix series like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game. Nyle discusses the evolving media landscape, the art of building lasting relationships, and the strategies behind crafting impactful publicity campaigns. 🔗 Connect with Nyle: Instagram | LinkedIn📣 Podcast Producer: Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group)
🎭 Find out more about Americans for the Arts.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐 Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.
Welcome to Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil—the podcast that celebrates the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. This podcast uplifts the voices of producers, publicists, directors, and other behind-the-scenes creatives who shape culture but don’t always get the spotlight.
From the challenges of building sustainable careers to the triumphs of crafting unforgettable artistic moments, Cultural Catalysts dives deep into the inspiring lives of those who make the magic happen. If you’re curious about the people driving creativity and innovation in the arts, this podcast is for you.
📢A Call to Action:
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the shifts in our arts and cultural landscape since these conversations were first recorded. We’ve seen challenges to institutions—including the arts—but we’ve also seen the resilience of creatives and cultural organizations.
If you believe in the power of the arts, now is the time to take action. Support the artists and arts organizations that inspire you—donate, amplify their work, and stay engaged. Visit Americans for the Arts to stay updated on advocacy efforts happening on Capitol Hill and across the country. Americans for the Arts provides resources and opportunities to get involved at the local, state, and national levels. We’ll link their website in the show notes and continue sharing updates on our MCE Instagram.
As the legendary Carrie Mae Weems reminds us, “Art is the one place we all turn to for solace, and we need that now more than ever.” Let’s show up for the arts, for our communities, and for each other.
🌐 MCE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcearts
The resource link can be found in our bio.
🌐 Americans for the Arts website: https://www.americansforthearts.org/
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