The Art of Community: Mujale Chisebuka's Inspiring Journey
Trae Holiday recently sat down with the incredibly talented Mujale Chisebuka. From Zambia to the United States, Mujale's journey is one of art, community, and dedication. Trae Holiday explored Mujale's origins, his artistic evolution, and his passion for empowering others through his work.
An Artistic Journey Begins
Mujale's artistic journey began at the young age of three in Zambia, Africa, where he was inspired by his father. "I saw the world through my pen," he shared, emphasizing how drawing and painting became his way of journaling and remembering the world around him. Moving to the United States at five, Mujale continued to develop his artistic talents.
In his high school and college years, Mujale's path shifted towards media. When he couldn’t find anyone to photograph his paintings, he took matters into his own hands, learning photography himself. This led to requests from friends and family, marking the beginning of his media business. Eventually, he became a teaching artist, merging his passions for art, media, and community engagement.
Value Creation and Community Building
A major driving force for Mujale is value creation. He noticed a gap: talented musicians with subpar CD covers, artists struggling to photograph their work. This motivated him to use his skills to enhance the talents of others and build a stronger community. He sees himself as "a fly on the wall," learning and teaching, packaging information, and giving back to his community.
Mujale emphasized the importance of building a team. What started as a one-person operation evolved into a company, Outside Thinc (outsidethinc.com), as he realized the need for support and collaboration. He spoke about the challenges and rewards of team management and the idea that you can go faster alone but further with people.
Empowering Youth and Creative Pipelines
A significant part of Mujale’s work involves empowering youth. He teaches media fundamentals, visual arts, storytelling, and animation, using a four-part series: origin story, problem-solving, vision (climax), and completion/succession plan. This approach helps young people understand themselves, their goals, and the importance of sustainability.
He shared, "People young people need to see folks that look like them man in order to know it's possible." This drives his commitment to mentorship and creating pathways for the next generation. Mujale aims to shorten learning curves, sharing knowledge that took him years to acquire so others can achieve their goals more quickly.
The Coloring Book and Community Engagement
Mujale’s creative output includes a unique coloring book that also teaches color theory. This tool allows him to connect with both youth and adults through paint parties and coloring events. He turned this simple book into a powerful community-building experience, showcasing his ability to expand on an idea.
Recent Projects and Future Aspirations
Mujale also spoke about a project at Elizabeth Thomas Holmes, where silhouettes of community members, including Trae's son Johnny, were featured. He shared a touching story about youth expressing pride in their community after seeing the artwork, reinforcing why he does what he does.
Through Outside Thinc and his creative club, Entrepreneurs, Mujale continues to build community, provide resources, and support artists. He encourages people to visit outsidethinc.com, check out their community calendar, and submit project requests. Mujale also mentioned receiving the Create and Thrive grant, which will fund summer programs.
A Legacy of Inspiration
Mujale Chisebuka’s journey is a testament to the power of art, community, and dedication. His commitment to empowering others, building creative pipelines, and capturing moments makes him a true asset to his community. Mujale’s story inspires us to pursue our passions and use our talents to make a difference.
Be sure to check out outsidethinc.com and connect with Mujale and his team to learn more about their amazing work and upcoming programs! And look for information about Entrepreneurs and how to join their summertime programs!
