The world knows me as Queen Mother Imakhu. I've been a WBAI listener since the 80s. The station has provided the diverse programming that I crave: politics, human rights, local and global news, theater, world music, literature.
My career as an artist-activist has included broadcasting and host/producing shows for WDVR-FM (Seargentsville, NJ), WLVR-FM (Bethlehem, PA), WHAT-AM (Philly), Princeton TV (NJ), October Gallery Radio (Philly/Internet), Blake Radio (Internet). I was the first Black woman to own and run her own Internet radio station, AKERU NuAfrakan Network. AKERU MULTIMEDIA is my company. As a journalist, I've been a columnist for First World News, PAINT Magazine, Nubian News. Member of People's Organization for Progress, National Action Network, NAACP, PRX, Crime Survivors for Safety & Justice, Artists Standing Strong Together, NYC Interfaith Roundtable, Interfaith Action Movement, Newark Interfaith Clergy. I'm a registered Democrat, who has worked on several political campaigns, including, "Lawrence Hamm for Senate 2024." As an arts educator, I've been dedicated to teaching our Black & Brown youth, including juvenile justice system students in Lower Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx through the Jamaica, Queens Afrikan Poetry Theatre's education division. She has also taught cultural arts in Philly, Trenton, and Essex County public schools. Art & multimedia are effective public education tools.
My WBAI Goals:
1. Expand listenership 2. Bring programming opportunities to younger audiences 3.Bring WBAI programming to syndicated podcast forums. 4.Spearhead multimedia internet campaigns that educate about the unique value of public radio. 5 Help modernize the station website. 6. Bring new programming to the station.
Additional Bio Notes:
Queen Mother Imakhu's current podcast, SHENU LIVING, is a unique motivational program merging ancient African wisdom for success today. Co-founder/producer of Cultures Across the City Music Festival. Founder of BLACKNIFICENTLY LatinX cultural organization. Co-produced, co-directed, co-edited and appeared in Nancy Vazquez’ short film project, “I’ve Got a Vision,” for February 2019’s special online edition of TIME Magazine, curated by director Ava DuVernay. Featured poet at U.S. venues including Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Bowery Poetry Club, and Panoramic Poetry. Her book, "Renegade Wise Woman," a poetic collection of her works from the 90s to present, includes her collaborative piece written with Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets. Her works are heard internationally on public radio stations. Her poetry is included in the anthology, "When Women Speak." She was 2023 Artist-in-Residence at Newark's Weequahic Public Library, where her photography was in exhibition, and she produced public motivational events.
Ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 1999. Khametic faith practitioner and teacher, enstooled as an ankh carrying Queen Mother in the Khametic tradition by Grandmaster Kham of Shrine of Khpra, Brooklyn, NY in 2005. Known for her expertise in Ancient Khametic (Egyptian) culture, yoga, and language. In 2006, Imakhu was initiated as a Bantu nganga by Don Miguel Ortiz Hill and Baba Mandaza Kandemwa.
Queen Mother Imakhu, age sixty-four, serves Greater Newark by offering free yoga classes, business mentoring to the city's artists, and food distribution to Newark residents. www.imakhu.info
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