In this episode, we are wrapping up Black History Month with some familial history! My younger sister Ismatu Gwendolyn Bangura joins me on the show to discuss our shared musical upbringing, their experiences leading a gospel choir at Northwestern University, and how their relationship to music changed after they became a sex worker. We also chat about their blossoming Tik Tok career and the ways in which they are using art, writing, dance, and poetry in their activism. Finally, Ismatu shares about the fundraiser they've started for our tribe back in Sierra Leone! If you are able, drop a dollar! And stay tuned for part two of our conversation, where we dive into the aesthetics and politics of Beyoncé's album Renaissance!

Donate to the fundraiser
Ismatu on Tik Tok
Ismatu on Instagram
Ismatu on Substack
Ismatu on Patreon
Ismatu's podcast
Lorraine Hansberry interview
My first Beyoncé podcast episode

Get in touch with me at: hermusicacademia@gmail.com