MOMENT WITH OLABLACK
Can we meet you?
My name is Agnes Olayemi Johnson
Tell us about your childhood. What was it like?
My childhood was fine and filled with sweet memories.
I grew up in Lagos State, Ilaje Bariga precisely.
It is common knowledge that artistes need a platform to communicate their ideas to the public. So, tells about Ola Black Art.
OlA BLACK ART is a theatrical outfit established to accommodate all forms of art like: Dance, poetry writing/reading and performances, drama etc. across Nigeria.
Ola Black Arts creates original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. Writes narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication. Writes material for artistic or entertainment purposes. Curates artistic events like festivals, photo shoots, video shoots, symposium etc.
Was it something you just stumble into or you were led into and or perhaps, there was a detailed process of planning before starting out?
OlaBlack Arts is a like a dream come true, it has always been something I wanted and I worked tirelessly towards achieving it.
What did you set out to achieve with Ola Black Art?
OLA BLACK ART is set out to give voices to some forms of art largely forgotten in the scheme of things. It offers selfless, social services committed to reorienting younger minds for worthy reasoning, appreciation of societal developments towards necessary interventions and upliftment.
Was there any kind of opposition that could have made you throw in the towel?
There were so many challenges and opposition's, and there are still challenges and oppositions but God has been faithful.
How do you get funding?
I get funds by working (always) and through donations (sometimes).
Where do you see Ola Black in the near future?
I see OlaBlack Arts breaking boundaries, nationwide and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Poetry seems to be on the front burner of your organization. Tell us about your 'dalliance' with poetry. What made you choose it ( poetry) or is it the other way around?
Poetry has always been a way of life to me.
The best way to make my voice heard.
What makes a good poetry? Is it the actual reading of the poem, the performance or how the words are strung together to make meaning or all of the above?
There are so many things that makes a good poem like the rhymes, language/diction, figures of speech, theme. And all are very important ingredients to the poetry's pot of soup.
What is your favorite poem at the moment? And why is it so?
I am not sure I have any, because there are lots of poems I love.
How does inspiration to write come to you? Is it in a crowded place or a quiet environment?
My inspiration comes from any source, am not subservient to any particular pattern.
Who is or are your biggest inspiration?
Myself, my daughter, my Godfather, my family and everything/one in the world.
What do you think are the problems bedeviling the promotion of art and artists in Nigeria
Greed and Selfishness.
Tell us about Ola Black featuring on WAD-DB Cincinnati, Ohio?
The show is called rhythm and Rhymes with OlaBlack live on African in Diaspora radio WAID Digital Broadcast Cincinnati Ohio.
It's a one hour program from 12pm - 1pm (west African Time)
7am - 8am (East African Time) Every Sunday.
A one hour poetry session where we read poems, have poetry / Literary discussions.
Any last words for us before we let you go?
Well, believe in yourself, be humble, hard-working and don't give up on your dreams.
Thank you for your time.
The pleasure is all mine.
This is where we will draw the curtain. Let's make it a date next time. I am Yours Truly,
Julius Topohozin.
