Expanding art through Higher Learning podcast

Janessa Jenkins, graphic design major, has created a new online outlet for her art in “Higher Learning: The Podcast,” made by students at Southeast Missouri State University.

“I’m really trying to target black college students, oftentimes the show is geared towards Southeast students and millennials from STL, because that’s where we’re all from, but I want to reach students at other universities,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins chose the name “Higher Learning” as an ode to the 1995 John Singleton film of the same title. After talking with her co-hosts Jada Wan, graduate student, Nkosi Wan, journalism major, and Laurence Williams, poet, Jenkins came up with a title.

“In general, we always have really good conversation and I thought other people should really hear this, so you know what, we should have a podcast called “Higher Learning,” Jenkins said.

As opposed to using another means to deliver her message, Jenkins felt that a podcast would get more attention and she wanted to explore an old passion.

“I really wanted to go to school for broadcast journalism, and I feel like I’m not using this talent,” Jenkins said, “I also wanted to work for radio but the awesome thing about podcasts is there is no censorship, I can say what I want to say and I don’t have to answer to anybody.”

She wants to use her podcast as a creative outlet but to also touch on topics that may be difficult to discuss.

“The synopsis of the movie is aiming to elevate your mind as a black person, the movie is controversial, and some topics we discuss are controversial as well,” Jenkins said.

The first episode featured a conversation on social media and how it is implemented in the lives of college students. The second episode, more personal for Jenkins, took a look into her sister’s battle with mental illness.

The message behind this show is to provide value to African-American voices and talents.

“I think people should press play for the fact that black people are going through a phase in America right now. This is a time where we need to come together and celebrate the things that we do well,” Jenkins said.

Nkosi Wan aims to make the show enjoyable and get people talking about it in their everyday life.

“My hope is that this podcast makes you think about the topics we discuss and explore them further,” he said. “Take the discussions we have on the show into your own social circles and see what your peers have to say.”

Jada Wan explains further, “most time when people think of a podcast they think of people talking at them or it sounds like someone reading a textbook.

The ‘Higher Learning’ podcast is like you're sitting in a room with us but as an observer, and I think that’s different and inviting.”

The podcast is under the umbrella of Color Tripz, Jenkins’ graphic design business. To expand the Color Tripz brand, Jenkins will host an art showcase in April, Color Tripz presents: The Experience, at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. The show will feature designs from senior Nyara Williams’ clothing line Black.Clothing, Williams’ poetry, and Jenkins’ art.