Embodying Legends: Bessie Smith to Etta James | Eboni Fondren on ONstage
Eboni Fondren takes us behind the scenes of her remarkable one-woman show that pays tribute to the queens of jazz and blues. In this clip from ONstage, Eboni discusses how she wrote and developed the performance, which debuted in 2023. She shares her process of using video and voiceover to frame the lives of iconic figures like Bessie Smith, Irene Reid, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Nancy Wilson, and Etta James.

Hear Eboni explain the joy of stepping into her role as an actor and mimic to truly embody each legend, bringing their powerful voices and compelling stories to life on stage!

Tribute Show: Get the story behind the 2023 debut.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Cassandra, the founder of Just So Curly, a brand dedicated to empowering curly-haired kids and their families. In this interview, Cassandra shares the story behind Just So Curly, her passion for creating products and resources that celebrate natural curls, and how the Curl Crew Blog helps parents boost confidence and identity in their children.

We’ll dive into:

The journey of building a brand that uplifts mixed-race and curly-haired communities.

Practical tips for parents raising confident, curly-haired kids.

Why representation, self-love, and cultural pride matter in everyday routines.

Behind-the-scenes insights into Just So Curly’s products, blog, and creative outreach.

💡 Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply someone who loves celebrating natural beauty, this interview will leave you inspired to embrace every curl with joy and confidence.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more empowering stories, tutorials, and cultural conversations. 📌 Explore more at Just So Curly’s Curl Crew Blog.

From childhood fascination sparked by Disney movies and jazz, the desire to sing in Paris was always a destiny. This clip tells the beautiful story of how that dream became reality, only to be dramatically postponed by a global event.

Hear the speaker recount:

The First Trip: Throwing a party to raise funds, traveling for two weeks with guitarist Matt Hopper, and immersing herself in the musical jam sessions and clubs of Paris.

The Canceled Dream: Planning an "amazing" return trip with the band she met (including Laurent) for gigs across the city, only for the world to shut down due to COVID-19 on the day she was supposed to leave.

The Fluke Return: How keeping in touch with her connections and a lucky find of saved credit card points in 2023 led to a surprise ticket back to Paris... and the exciting opportunity to record an album!

This is an inspiring look at how a lifelong passion for music and a city can overcome any obstacle.

The journey to becoming an authentic jazz performer is often guided by a great mentor. In this clip, the speaker shares her experience learning from the legendary Everett Devan, a master Hammond B3 organist, music director, and self-described "school of groove."

Right after moving to Kansas City with the intention of singing jazz, the speaker was introduced to the "grooviest, crotchetiest, but sweetest man"—Everett Devan. She details his intense, unorthodox training methods:

The Audition: After an initial performance, Devan was blunt: "You need a tape recorder, notebook, these kinds of tapes. $75 a lesson. See you on Monday."

The Curriculum: Sitting right beside his organ, the speaker was handed stacks of CDs from legends like Sarah Vaughan, Ernestine Anderson, Shirley Horn, Etta Jones, and Irene Reid. She was assigned specific tracks to learn and transcribe.

The Lessons: Devan didn't just teach songs; he taught the business of groove: finding your key, mastering different styles, how to talk to the band, counting them in, and navigating a song structure.

The Standard: This was the speaker's true "school for a solid," culminating in a clear mandate: 75 songs had to be memorized before she could step onto the bandstand.

Hear about the priceless, rigorous training that shaped a modern jazz vocalist under the tutelage of a true Hammond B3 master!

Watch Now: Hear how to find your key and connect with your band!

Did two of Kenya's most successful dance organizations start as rivals? Not at all. In fact they are united by their culture.

This video dives into the story of Original Black Bros and Robert Ponyoko Talent Hub—two award-winning forces in Kenyan dance, both led by passionate young men in their twenties. For years, they independently championed the teaching of dance and culture to younger artists.

Learn how these two powerhouse organizations are connected and united through the platform FAVunite. Their collaboration proves that when great talent focuses on a shared mission, the impact on Kenyan youth and culture is unstoppable.

What You Will See:

The surprising backstory of their initial meeting.

How they are combining their unique dance styles and teaching methods.

The future vision for their unified efforts in youth mentorship.

Comment below: What's your favorite move from Original Black Bros or Robert Ponyoko?

ONstage: Chemist, Educator, & Advocate | Professor Antwan Daniels | FAVunite TV
Meet Professor Antwan Daniels, a dedicated Chemistry Professor, award-winning educator, and tireless community advocate who is redefining student success in STEM!

From his roots in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, to his current work serving Greater Kansas City, Professor Daniels brings over 12 years of experience teaching complex science (from Chemistry-1405 to Organic Chemistry-2425) with a focus on holistic student support.

In this powerful interview, Professor Daniels discusses his unique approach to pedagogy—a constructivist learning theory that has achieved 70%+ success rates for thousands of students. Learn about the mission behind his organization, 5SLLC, and his passionate advocacy work spanning environmental justice, reducing SIDS, and supporting minority success in science.

In this episode, we cover:
0:00 | Introduction: From Oak Cliff to Kansas City

1:45 | The Constructivist Approach: Redefining How We Learn Chemistry

4:30 | The 70% Success Rate - How He Does It

7:10 | 5SLLC: Advocacy, Advisory, and Science Literacy

10:15 | The Connection Between Chemistry & Community Justice

13:50 | Tackling Challenges: Environmental Justice & SIDS Reduction

17:00 | The Ph.D. Focus: Improving Introductory Chemistry Outcomes

20:25 | The Guiding Quote: "I never want to be right, but I need us to get it right.”

22:40 | The Future of STEM Education & KC

That statement by Dr. Eric Kelly III—the renowned Neo-Abstract Expressive Artist, synesthetic visionary, and cultural activist—reflects his powerful, purpose-driven approach to both art and business.

The Power of His Art: He uses his art to "confront injustice, challenge mental illness stigma, and create space for emotional truth", calling his palette a "protest." This kind of work is inherently bold and fearless.

Dr. Eric Kelly III is the director of the Eric Kelly III Museum, a private museum founded by his great-grandfather, Henry Stancil.

His life and work embody a message of empowerment and transformative action. His eternal quote, "What you are looking for… is looking for you," suggests a belief in purpose and destiny over apprehension.

He is also the subject of the major solo exhibition:

"Eric Kelly III: Human Landscapes; Mystery of The Mark"

Location: North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Art Museum

Dates: October 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026

This video was made with Clipchamp

This episode of Africa Spotlight explores the powerful description of the ONE thing that matters above all things from Dr. Abah and inspiring words from artist and medical student Kormeli Lubem

This video is private.

He was told he'd be a starving artist, so he took to business and supported his grandmother's dream of bringing black entrepreneurs together. However, the dream never left.

The story of Dr. Eric Kelly III from Durham, North Carolina

Eric Kelly III is one of the world’s most transformative abstract expressive artists, a celebrated humanitarian, educator, and creative visionary with a legacy spanning over six decades.

His award-winning career includes over 45 years of painting, international exhibitions, museum ownership, and more than 25 published books. Known for his bold lines, emotional color, and ability to see music through synesthesia, Eric has empowered thousands through his art, lectures, and mentorship.

He is a passionate teacher who believes that everyone has a creative genius within waiting to be activated.

STANDOUT-IGNITE WORSHIP COVER SONG EVENT || MAKURDI TALENT AUDITION ||

This video is private.

Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma, representing the Bureau for Arts, Culture, and Tourism in Benu State, formally announced a strategic partnership with FAVunite TV, with the goal of igniting a cultural renaissance in the state and establishing it as a world-class cultural destination.

The Narrative of the Announcement
The announcement casts Benu State as a place with potential that extends far beyond its nickname, "the food basket of the nation," highlighting an "even richer experience" in its "untapped resource of arts culture and tourism" [00:18].

A Hard Economic Asset
Dr. Ukuma stressed that the arts and culture sector is not a luxury, but a "hard economic asset" that is a vital source of job creation, revenue generation, and global attraction [00:32]. The state's traditions hold stories the world is waiting to hear and experiences it is "ready to pay for" [00:57]. He specifically highlighted one of Benu State’s significant cultural elements, the Ikyôhôr theater, which has been recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage element [02:08].

FAVunite's Role in the Partnership
FAVunite TV's core mission in the partnership is to fully leverage Benu's unique cultural assets and bridge existing gaps. The platform is "uniquely positioned" to:

Cultural Preservation: Offer authentic cultural documentation to help preserve Benu's heritage [01:38].

Talent Incubation: Provide talent incubation to turn local artists into entrepreneurs [01:50].

Global Amplification: Command the global stage, dedicated to amplifying Black stories, thereby driving growth in tourism and investment [02:20].

Vision and Outcome: The New Identity
The ultimate goal is to cement Benu's global image as a "world-class cultural destination" [02:54]. The partnership seeks to unlock new opportunities for Benu's youth and permanently change the state’s identity from just a food basket to "Nigeria's definitive culture and creative hub" [03:16].

This vision is encapsulated in the spirit of #VibrantBenue, which is about creating "a vibrancy in the expressions of our art"—including craft, dances, costuming, language, drama, and food—that will leave a lasting impression on the world [03:35].

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