Shangri La presents the first episode of its “Community in Conversation” series featuring Dr. Akiemi Glenn, Executive Director of The Pōpolo Project and Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez, Musician and Shangri La 8×8:Source artist. This episode was moderated by Navid Najafi, Associate Curator of Programs and Social Practice.

In this episode, Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez and Dr. Akiemi Glenn speak to how their work and kuleana brings visibility to what it means to be Black in Hawai‘i, the importance of language preservation, and how their experiences have uncovered strength through community and cultural connections in the Pacific. Shangri La’s “Community in Conversation” series brings visionary creatives and community voices across Hawai‘i to Shangri La to share in thought provoking dialogues of connection, inspiration, and hope for a more creative, equitable and sustainable future.