Cultivating Culture: Marángeli Mejía Rabell's Creative Journey

Greetings to 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, presented by your host, Rob Lee. Today I chatted with Marángeli Mejía Rebell, a Puerto Rico-born, Philadelphia-based cultural producer, co-founder of Afro Taino, and director of the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival. With over 30 years of experience, she excels in creating arts and culture programs for diverse audiences, aligning community and business objectives, and establishing impactful projects. Marángeli's involvement in the National Arts Strategies Leadership Coaching Training Program showcases her commitment to leadership excellence, while her collaborations with prominent artists highlight her contributions to the art scene.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Marángeli's formative years, as we delve into how her early encounters with music and film ignited her passion for arts and culture.
• A journey to Puerto Rico with Marángeli, where she shares how the island's rich musical tapestry and cultural fusion shaped her artistic outlook.
• The impact of Marángeli's mother's teachings, as we uncover how her lessons in creating inclusive spaces and treating others with respect have shaped her creative endeavors.
• The essence of Afro Taino's mission, as Marángeli shares insights into curating diverse musical experiences and fostering a platform for emerging artistic voices.
• The world of the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival with Marángeli, as we explore its significance in showcasing and amplifying the stories of Latinx filmmakers and their contributions to cinema.

Marángeli shares her early experiences with music and film, growing up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. She discusses the blending of different musical genres and the influence of her mother's love for hosting and creating a welcoming space for others. Marángeli also talks about her work with Afro Taino, a cultural organization focused on creating cross-sector partnerships and using arts and culture as tools for social change. She shares her journey with the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival and the importance of creating spaces for emerging voices in the film industry.

 
Mentioned in this episode

AfroTaino

Gusto

Philadelphia Latino Film Festival

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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