This episode is dedicated to Justin A.L. Waithe, a fellow Queer Creative, talented singer and vocal arranger, fashion stylist, shining star, bright ray of sunshine, and dear friend. Rest in peace, beauty, and in song, Justin. We love you. 
—Jonah & Renessa

After taking a week off from the pod to say goodbye to our old friend and reflect, we're back with a packed episode. Jonah shares his story of meeting Chadwick Boseman at Sway's, and we play the clip of Chadwick answering Jonah’s question! 

Our guest this week is Leilah Babirye, a multidisciplinary artist and abstract sculptor living in NYC who transforms everyday materials into objects that address issues surrounding identity, sexuality, and human rights. She studied art at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, where she fled from in 2015 after being outed as gay. She was granted asylum in 2018 with support from the African Services Committee and the NYC Anti-Violence Project, and participated in the Fire Island Artist Residency. Her artwork has been gaining recognition and has been shown in prestigious galleries and museums, including the Parker Gallery and the Gordon Robichaux galleries. We talk with Leilah about the materials and themes in her art, her long and courageous journey from Uganda to the U.S., politics and activism, and we learn about some resources for artists as well as those seeking asylum support in the states. Leilah is an absolute inspiration to us.

Show links:

• Justin Waithe: A Celebration of Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIs44_8zcw4
• Jonah asking Chadwick Boseman a question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsTitt-VDuU&feature=youtu.be&t=2295
• Leilah’s work at Gordon Robichaux gallery: http://www.gordonrobichaux.com/leilah.babirye.html
• Follow Leilah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babiryesculptor/?hl=en
• Leilah’s work in Art on the Grid is on display through September 20, 2020 around NYC: https://www.publicartfund.org/exhibitions/view/art-on-the-grid-july27/
• African Services Committee: http://www.africanservices.org
• Queer Detainee Empowerment Project: http://www.qdep.org
• Black Alliance for Just Immigration: http://baji.org
• Anti Violence Project: https://avp.org
• LGBT Asylum: instagram.com/lgbtasylumtf
• Fire Island Artist Residency: http://www.fireislandartistresidency.org
• Art Omi Residency: https://artomi.org/residencies
• Rainbow Riots album: https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/36518/1/lgbtq-artists-making-music-where-its-dangerous-to-be-gay
• Gay WAP dance video (Created by: Nicole Kirkland & Mac Daddyy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYxWqRhpRz4