Cultural Bridges, Global Storytelling & Creative Sovereignty with Toni Blackman

In Episode 20 of the Heard! Afros & Audio Interview Series, Talib Jasir sits with Toni Blackman to explore cultural bridges, global storytelling, and creative sovereignty through music and media.

Toni shares the vision behind her upcoming podcast TOALA, short for Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador, an audio project centered on African music, Afrobeats, hip hop culture, and diaspora connection. Drawing from her experiences traveling across Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Angola, China, and beyond, she reflects on how artists build cultural bridges that transcend geography.

This conversation moves through African music's global impact, diaspora identity, creative discipline, and the responsibility that comes with storytelling across borders. Toni speaks about trusting intuition over validation, practicing as a daily discipline, and protecting creative sovereignty in an attention-driven media landscape.

We also discuss Bloom Afrique Microfund and her work supporting African entrepreneurs, the role of artists in shaping cultural narratives, and why global storytelling requires both humility and leadership.

This episode is for podcasters, artists, cultural strategists, and entrepreneurs interested in African music, diaspora storytelling, creative leadership, and building media platforms rooted in vision.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream.

Podcast: TOALA (Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador)

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: Toni Blackman, First U.S. Hip Hop Ambassador
05:00 – African Music, Senegal & Expanding the Diaspora Through Sound
10:00 – Touring Africa, Global Hip Hop & Cultural Diplomacy
15:00 – Diaspora Identity, Afrobeats & Reframing Black History
20:00 – Creative Discipline, Freestyle Speaking & Practice Over Performance
25:00 – Trusting Vision, Micro Content Strategy & Launching TOALA
30:00 – Artists vs Institutions: Why Creators Build Connection Differently
35:00 – Bloom Afrique Microfund & Investing in African Entrepreneurs
40:00 – Leadership, Fear, Mentorship & Generational Disruption
45:00 – Opening Your World Through Music & Diaspora Exploration
50:00 – Meditation Projects, Healing Work & Final Reflections

Spotify Artist Link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/48ho4Mg0LK4KH5D7y6tOEs?si=IUY1TEThT_6XSZja-tyI_g

Connect with Toni Blackman: Bloom Afrique Microfund and collaborations: [e-mail]

Follow on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/toniblackman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissBlackman1/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@toniblackman5

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toniblackman/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToniBlackman

Check the links below to learn more about the artists Toni mentioned in the episode:

Orchestra Baobab: https://youtu.be/m4yFmRNcX3I?si=quMufW_iHbk1jPFH

M.anifest: https://youtu.be/ibEc2aLamCk?si=cdKzlWyQJPl9YeLZ

Fritz Francois: https://youtu.be/aXjYp8GIGos?si=oek_Scj_dlIT0GE5

Breez Evahflowin': https://youtu.be/pm_Zv2ZCinY?si=EVDTOYnqmoww48fc

Rhyme Like a Girl Nairobi: https://youtu.be/SYK7_JmgKkE?si=DLfn0LPw3DmDDTu9

Franck Biyong: https://youtu.be/c6nUhLVcSSk?si=CeyoLoohOWwOygeT

Fid Q: https://youtu.be/e5Imz9qzxFw?si=JS-nF-J6W5wMYjvX