Cultural Catalysts with Alison McNeil

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Amina Cooper, the first-ever Director of Arts and Culture at Atlanta Beltline Art, one of the nation’s largest temporary public art exhibitions. An Atlanta native, Amina has more than a decade of experience leading multimillion-dollar public art projects and is nationally recognized for her leadership in equitable public art policy.From her early days growing up in Atlanta to her roles with Charlotte Douglas International Airport and her own consulting firm, Amina shares how community, mentorship, and advocacy shaped her journey. She discusses the importance of ensuring that public art reflects the communities it serves, her work uplifting Black monuments through documentation, and the expansive vision she’s bringing to the Beltline.Tune in to hear Amina talk about the role of public art in our daily lives, the value of mentorship and collaboration, and how she stays grounded while balancing large-scale projects with deep community care.Find out more:Atlanta BeltlineAmericans for The Arts@BlackMonuments on InstagramReno Public Art 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil sits down with Lila Mayes, Program Administrator for the Directors Guild of America - Producer Training Program. With a vibrant career spanning artist relations for the Grammys and mentoring aspiring filmmakers, Lila shares her journey of finding purpose and paving the way for inclusivity in the film and TV industry. Discover how Lila empowers young creatives, champions diversity, and transforms non-linear career paths into success stories. From set visits to mentorship masterclasses, Lila unveils the magic behind the scenes in entertainment.📣 Podcast Producer:  Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Aja Burrell Wood, the Managing Director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. An ethnomusicologist, curator, and educator, Aja has dedicated her career to exploring the intersections of race, gender, and performance. She shares her journey from Detroit, Michigan, to Berklee Institute for Jazz and Gender Justice, highlighting how her passion for music and cultural advocacy led her to amplify underrepresented voices in jazz. Tune in to hear Aja discuss her work, her love for ethnomusicology, and the ways she’s building a more inclusive future for the arts.🌐 Find out more about Ethnomusicology:  Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice | Society for Ethnomusicology📣 Podcast Producer:  Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

On this episode of Cultural Catalyst, Alison McNeil sits down with Mazi Mutafa, Founder and Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, shares his journey of using hip-hop to empower historically-excluded voices and create opportunities for young artists. From pioneering community-focused arts education to blending hip-hop with cultural diplomacy and wellness, Mazi unpacks the transformative power of hip-hop culture beyond music. Listen to how Words Beats & Life is breaking barriers and shaping the future of creative arts.🔗 Connect with Mazi: LinkedIn🌐 Find out more about Words Beats & Life.📣 Podcast Producer:  Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

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)  🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

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) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

 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) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

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) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

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) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil interviews Sharon Ingram, Executive Director of the DC Chapter of the Recording Academy. Sharon shares her fascinating journey from performing artist to becoming a champion of music professionals. With over 20 years in entertainment, Sharon has worked with Hidden Beach Recordings and the Clio Awards, honing her passion for building community and creating resources for creatives. Listen as Sharon discusses how the Recording Academy serves the music industry beyond the Grammy Awards, dispels myths about the organization, and explains how to thrive in a creative career. Whether you're a music professional or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.🌐 Find out more about The Recording Academy - DC Chapter.📣 Podcast Producer:  Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

On this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Alison McNeil speaks with Pamela Green, founder of PMG Arts Management and a trailblazer in arts administration. With over 30 years of experience, Pamela has worked with renowned artists like Ronald K. Brown, Camille A. Brown, and Nnenna Freelon, shaping multidisciplinary projects that have left a lasting impact on the performing arts world. Pamela shares her journey from curious arts enthusiast to industry leader, her passion for mentoring artists of color, and her insights on how creativity fuels successful management. Tune in to hear Pamela’s reflections on legacy, creativity, and the future of arts management.🔗Connect with Pamela: pam@pmgartsmgt.com📣 Podcast Producer:  Letisha Bereola (Paradigm Media Group) 🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises. 

🎙️ Alison McNeil, CEO and Founder of McNeil Creative Enterprises,  welcomes you to Cultural Catalysts—a podcast dedicated to celebrating the creative visionaries working behind the scenes in the arts and entertainment industry.🌟 What to Expect:Inspiring stories from producers, publicists, directors, and other industry insiders.A focus on equity, innovation, and the impact of behind-the-scenes creatives.Insights into the challenges and successes of shaping culture through the arts.With over 20 years of experience advocating for sustainable growth in the arts, Alison McNeil highlights the often-overlooked work of those who bring magic to the stage, screen, and beyond. Whether you’re an artist, arts administrator, or simply curious about the creative process, this podcast is for you!🔗 Subscribe now to join us in celebrating the voices that make the arts thrive. This is Cultural Catalysts—where the creatives behind the curtain take center stage. 📢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. Now, let’s get into the episode!🌐  MCE Instagram:  The resource link can be found in our bio.🌐   Americans for the Arts website    🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.