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Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change

This podcast is a part of the Tennessee Theatre’s Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change series, providing an opportunity for artists from marginalized and underserved communities to share their art with others. Through podcast episodes, concerts/performances, visual art displays, discussions and panels focusing on important issues, and educational opportunities, artists have the chance to engage with the community. The Tennessee Theatre is proud to provide a space for audiences and artists to better understand one another.

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  2. Episode 8: Obayana Ajanaku

Episode 8: Obayana Ajanaku

Oct 4, 2023

For this episode of Pass the Mic, we had the opportunity to talk with Knoxville-based percussionist and educator Obayana Ajanaku. Obayana has been studying West African drumming since the age of 6. He is a lifelong student of African percussion, and continues to pursue opportunities to develop his performing skills and expertise of African music. He has performed both internationally and across the United States. Obayana serves as the West African drum instructor at Austin East High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

In response to gun violence that resulted in the deaths of three Austin East High School students, Obayana founded the “Drums Up, Guns Down” program. “Drums Up, Guns Down” aims to stop the cycle of gun violence by providing students with an outlet for expressing emotions, and a meaningful space to heal from trauma. The program’s website states that “through the process of learning to drum, participants will not only experience emotional healing, but will be able to express themselves, develop effective communication and problem-solving skills, and learn to work with others in a positive environment.”  

We are grateful to Obayana for sharing his time and thoughts about ways that music creates safety and healing, particularly for Black students who are disproportionately affected by gun violence.

For more information about some of the local organizations that Obayana collaborates with, visit:  

https://turnupknox.org
https://www.seeedknox.org
https://www.pwywca.org
https://www.changecenterknoxville.com 

 

Pass the Mic: Creating a Stage for Change provides an opportunity for artists from marginalized and underserved communities to share their art with others. Through concerts/performances, visual art displays, discussions and panels focusing on important issues, and educational opportunities, artists have the chance to engage with the community. The Tennessee Theatre is proud to provide a space for audiences and artists to better understand one another. 
 
This podcast is brought to you by the Historic Tennessee Theatre, produced by Becky Hancock and Cecilia Wright, and engineered and edited by Ben McLaughlin. Music composition, sound design, and additional production assistance is provided by William Wright. This project is being supported in part by The Tennessee Arts Commission. Graphics by Danica Thompkins.