Episodes

  • The Artistic Journey of Ibimina Dominique Thompson
    Aug 21 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with multihyphenate Ibimina Dominique Thompson about art, identity, and resilience. Ibimina takes us through her journey as a Black trans woman in the arts, starting from her early days in church plays and culminating in her powerful performances on major stages. She reflects on the challenges of transitioning in the theater world, the weight of societal expectations, and the power of self-acceptance.

    Ibimina also opens up about her acclaimed projects Bad Africans and Love is Like, her vision for creating spaces where Black trans narratives can thrive, and the lessons she’s learned about love, growth, and representation along the way.

    Follow Ibimina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bardestafrican/

    For more information on Harry, visit: Harry Itie

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • The Politics of Being Queer and Nigerian with Adebayo Quadry-Adekanbi
    Aug 14 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with Writer and Scholar Adebayo Quadry-Adekanbi about the complexities of queer identity in Nigeria. Adebayo draws on his experiences living between Nigeria and the UK to not only share his journey of discovering his queerness but also speak to the historical impacts of colonialism on current anti-LBGTQ laws and what visibility truly means in places where homophobia runs deep. They dive into the politics of safety, how queer spaces are being commodified, and the role of the elite in shaping how people view queerness.

    From cultural practices that quietly affirm queerness to the contradictions we all face, this episode challenges listeners to understand the complexity of navigating queerness as a Nigerian. With a blend of vulnerability and critical insight, Adebayo presents a bold vision of what it means to live authentically as a queer individual. Their conversation serves as a poignant exploration of identity, resistance, and the potential to envision queer futures beyond borders.

    For more information on Harry, visit: About — Harry Itie

    To get Odejuma updates directly to your email, subscribe here: The Odejuma Report | Substack

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Obii Ifejika on Finding Purpose Through Poetry
    Aug 7 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry is in conversation with talented UK-based Nigerian poet and multidisciplinary artist Obii Ifejika for an in-depth exploration of storytelling, identity, and legacy. Obii reflects on her journey, revealing how she found her voice through performance poetry in Nigeria and how she has embraced new creative experiences in the UK.

    Their conversation highlights the significance of mentorship, the courage needed for self-expression, and how community influences an artist’s journey. Obii opens up about her creative process and her aspirations to leave a lasting mark in literature, as well as the responsibilities that come with being an artist.

    The episode also features two powerful live poetry performances, giving listeners an intimate look into Obii's artistry. This conversation is a celebration of poetry's transformative power and the beauty of Black creative expression.

    Subscribe to Obii's Substack: Sober Sundays | Obii Ifejika | Substack

    For more information on Harry: About — Harry Itie

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Harry Waters Jr. on Art, Identity, and Power of Community
    Jul 31 2025

    In one of our most heartfelt conversations yet, Harry speaks with influential artist and educator Harry Waters Jr., who reflects on a life shaped by purpose, vulnerability, and community. From his role in the cult classic, Back to the Future, to his groundbreaking work in theater and academia, Harry Waters Jr. shares stories that explore the intersections of Blackness, queerness, grief, joy, and the arts.

    We discuss the impact of the AIDS crisis, the evolution of LGBTQ+ spaces, and the transformative power of storytelling to foster connection and care. With tenderness and humor, Harry Waters Jr. speaks about creating spaces like Harry’s Hangout, where Black queer men can gather, heal, and celebrate one another. This conversation serves as a moving tribute to resilience, intimacy, and the freedom that comes when we live our stories out loud.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Rob Milton on Music, Identity, and the Journey to Being Seen
    Jul 17 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with singer-songwriter Rob Milton about music, identity, and the transformative power of finding oneself through art. Rob reflects on his journey from discovering his voice in college to consistently releasing music since 2012. He shares important lessons he has learned as a Black queer artist and storyteller dedicated to joy.

    He also discusses the origins of his latest single, "Chains," the significance of R&B in his life, and how collaborations with icons like B. Slade have validated his creative path. The episode interweaves themes of resilience, joy, representation, and self-expression, inviting listeners to explore the importance of being fully seen and using that truth as a source of strength.

    For more information on Rob Milton, visit: https://linktr.ee/therobmilton

    You can follow Rob on all social media platforms - therobmilton

    For more information on Harry Itie, visit: https://www.harryitie.com/

    Follow Harry on all social media platforms - harryitie

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Mark Odumuyiwa on his Multidisciplinary Storytelling Practice
    Jul 10 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with Nigerian-American multidisciplinary artist Mark Odumuyiwa on art, identity, and how that influences his work. From his early love for fashion design to his fluid transition into photography and filmmaking, Mark reflects on how creativity often grows out of curiosity, necessity, and deep cultural roots. The conversation touches on the emotional power of storytelling, the influence of religion and heritage on his work, and the collaborative energy shaping the Twin Cities’ blossoming creative scene.

    Mark also shares the inspiration behind Something to Say, a magazine he launched to spotlight emerging local artists. Throughout the episode, listeners are invited to consider how our lived experiences shape the stories we tell, and how, in sharing them, we not only express ourselves but build community.

    For more information on Mark, visit his website here: Mark Odumuyiwa

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Delali on Using Art to Explore Identity, Expression, and the Black Diaspora
    Jul 3 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with Delali, a multimedia artist based in Minneapolis and the founder of Del Aku Studio. Her work beautifully merges Afrofuturism with modern life to explore identity, connection, and possibility.. Delali's deep reverence for ancestry and transformation is rooted in her upbringing in a mixed-race household, where Ghanaian traditions coexisted with her American roots. This unique background sparked her lifelong exploration of identity through art.

    Together, Harry and Delali discuss the liberating power of visual storytelling, the emotional layers of her creative process, and her evolution from jazz and performance to the striking Afrofuturistic collage that is featured in the Afro-Centric/Eclectic Art Exhibition. Delali speaks with clarity and grace about reclaiming cultural symbols, embracing multiplicity, and creating art that heals, confronts, and envisions new futures. This conversation is like a heartfelt journey through the experiences of the Black diaspora, exploring the deep spiritual connection in art and the empowering act of envisioning our complete selves.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Anthony Adu on Being Queer, African, and Finding His Voice
    Jun 26 2025

    In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with Ghanaian-born actor Anthony Adu for a deeply reflective conversation about identity, queerness, and the power of storytelling. Anthony shares his experiences, from his early days in Ghana to building a life in the U.S. He opens up about navigating family expectations, cultural displacement, his career as an actor, and the emotional journey of embracing his truth as a queer African man.

    Using his role in the world premiere of "When We Are Found," he discusses how performance can serve as a vessel for personal revelation and collective memory. Together, they explore the importance of authentic representation in the arts, the solidarity found within the Black diaspora, and why sharing our stories — raw, joyful, and complicated — is an act of resistance and love.

    For anyone who believes in the transformative power of storytelling, this episode serves as a heartfelt reminder that our voices matter and that queerness and Africanness can coexist beautifully.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins