Uncovering the magic of my time with Ntozake Shange

Let me paint the scene: I’m an arts & culture writer, I'm navigating the hustle of NYC as a freelance arts journalist, covering everything from Broadway to the cozy corners of Greenwich Village. Joe's Pub, Feinstein’s 54 & Below – you name it, I'm there, soaking up the vibrant energy of the city's cultural scene.

Then, a stroke of luck – I land a gig and find myself rubbing shoulders at the Tony's. The next day being the curious soul that I am and feeling confident post Tony Awards, I decide to pitch an interview with the legendary Ntozake Shange, who is scheduled to perform, The Blue Note.

To my surprise, none of the legacy media platforms were interested in covering Shange's return – a missed opportunity if you ask me. But hey, that's where I step in, eager to shed light on this remarkable artist.

Cut to the day of the interview – I find myself sitting across from Ntozake Shange in a cozy West Village apartment. And let me tell you, it was like chatting with an old friend. That first conversation sparked a series of future conversations, and before I knew it, we were sharing stories like kindred spirits. I am the daughter of a woman who grew up in the 70s and introduced me to For Colored Girls and a vast array of playwrights, poets, essayists, painters and novelists from the Black Arts Movement for me there was no greater honor than to share time and space with Shange.

Poet Ntozake Shange and Writer Jamara Wakefield at The Blue Note NYC

So here it is, the full recording – from a chance encounter to a series of cherished conversations. Join me as I peel back the layers and uncover the magic of my time with Ntozake Shange.

I ask that you please not record or reproduce this recording for any purpose. I purposefully did not edit the audio volumes. I care about this human tremendously earthside and beyond.

The common question people ask is what I learned from Shange, one of the things I’ll never forget was her telling me to develop an aesthetic, master my craft and build my own audience because then the “suits” can’t take your art from you when it gets popular.