Ex Fabula and HYFIN Bring Back AfterDark: For the Culture

In the swing of autumn vibes, Ex Fabula partnered, once again, with HYFIN at Radio Milwaukee for another AfterDark: For The Culture event and the night very much was. This event highlighted inner hurdles that Black and Brown communities are faced with day to day.

As teller Lorenzo Edwards shared, “Something I do often is die every day before work.” Laughter filled the air of the room, not just in humor but recognition. “Every day, I shed my hair, I shed my voice, I shed my concerns for the world. I shed my feelings and my truths about my lived experience in order to just fit in.”

The sentiment of these words would echo through the night. A pivot from which came from Ex Fabula board member, Alexis Outlaw. ‘When we talk about a culture, you can become obsessed with such.” Though she was speaking about being “On the Beyoncé teet a little too hard.”

The underlying fact remains, somethings become so commonplace that their room in the conversation becomes forfeited. In this space, they were brought to the front and broadcasted in a room of people who felt very similarly.

“This is the stuff you try to deny to yourself, but it’s in the vault.” HYFIN Music Director and Brand Ambassador Element Everest-Blanks said before sharing her piece around black mortality and the culture that breeds its tragedy.

Alea Samone and Kim Shine

Much credit to our hosts of the occasion, Alea Samone and Kim Shine. Both shared stories of personal relationships and hair but also modeled the vulnerability for participants to not only be present with their feelings but to also greet the challenges with laughter.

They weren’t the only ones, as featured teller and Milwaukee native Emmitt James shared his concerns with personal hygiene as he grows into his mature years. And I must say, the price tag on dental care would make me want to curse out my dentist as well.

 The fall night was warm with connection. The art of storytelling got to flex a bit as its magic brought the quiet and sometimes blaring inner world to a welcoming and reaffirming outer world. Proving why spaces like these are a valuable part of being a human.

Co-Founder of Black Space Darius Smith shared the journey that led to providing mental health resources to his community. “If you think you can do it, do it. And if you feel like you are not enough, you are enough. Just remember that it’s a space out there for you even if you feel there isn’t one.”

Closing this wonderful ceremony of chocolatiness was Jamai Fisher, author of “Poems and the Stories that Inspire Them.” Jamai brought to focus what these spaces represent. “I know one day I can be judged by the content of my character and not just all my stuff. Because we all have stuff… and we all need grace. And I can give it to you because of the one that gave me this space…this place…my skin.. my hair. Thank you.”

If you haven’t attended a “For the Culture” event, I suggest you stop the next one on April 25^th at Radio Milwaukee.

Oh yeah…. And leave your name in the hat.

Watch AfterDark: For the Culture videos on Ex Fabula’s Youtube.

Photos by Art Montes. Video by John Lopez.