Episode 43, ACT 2: Kwame Scruggs - Tears on the Drum

Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

In Episode 43, Act 2: "Tears on the Drum," we delve deeper into Kwame's past. In doing so, Kwame offers two wise thoughts that really set the tone for this conversation: "Your wounds are your blessings" and "If you can't change the wind, adjust the sail." This leads to a powerful conversation about Kwame's childhood, the trauma he experienced as a result of how he saw Black humans represented on television, and how Black humans were treated by society. And this conversation ultimately moves to how he found and embraced his life's calling and his artistry. Through his artistry and educational background, Kwame aims to create and inspire through poignant metaphor and quotation. Mr. Scruggs is the founder and director of Alchemy, a non-profit organization that uses storytelling—primarily myth and fairy tales—and the djembe drum to work with male youth in order to promote personal development and growth, teaching life lessons through objective means. In their conversation, Courtney and Kwame talk about the need for the arts as a tool to connect with young people, especially during a pandemic, and how patience is key to making and keeping those connections. The big questions that are born out of this conversation are: Are we doing enough? What is the intersection between education, art-making and kids' lived experiences, and are we doing enough to meet in the middle? How does this conversation conclude? You've gotta listen to find out!