Kemetamorphysis: The Podcast

This last of three installments features an interview with Baba Derrick Jackson, reflecting on his upbringing in Harlem and the strong sense of community he experienced. His narrative highlights the supportive, interconnected nature of his family and neighborhood. Baba Derrick recounts specific memories illustrating reciprocal relationships and unwavering community support, emphasizing the profound impact these experiences had on his life.

This episode is the second of three installments featuring an interview with Baba Derrick Jackson, a spiritual thought leader, discussing his life experiences. He reflects on his childhood friendships, high school years, and the influential people and books that shaped him. The conversation touches upon his family background. Furthermore, it explores his perspective on the Harlem community and its connection to his South Carolina roots.

This episode features foundational oral history interview questions with Baba Derrick Jackson, exploring his earliest memories and the formative influences of his family and community. Key themes include the importance of elders, the impact of family structures and dynamics, and reflections on race, class, and healthcare disparities within the African American community. The interview provides a personal narrative that contextualizes Baba Derrick's spiritual journey and his life experiences. Ultimately, the interview offers a powerful testament to the resilience and strength found within family and community.

Baba Derrick Jackson demonstrates the parallels between biblical teachings and ancient Kemetic wisdom. Baba Derrick skillfully connects biblical passages to Kemetic principles, emphasizing the importance of Maat (social justice) and service to others as a core tenet of both belief systems. He recounts a personal experience where applying Kemetic wisdom profoundly impacted his understanding of his faith and his congregation. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of spiritual traditions and the ongoing relevance of ancient wisdom.

This podcast episode features a conversation between Dr. Catherine L. Adams and Baba Derrick Jackson about the importance of diverse origin stories and the right to self-determination. Baba Derrick discusses his journey toward a deeper appreciation for African cultural narratives, emphasizing the significance of listening to and learning from elders. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of Africana studies, spiritual traditions, gratitude, and reciprocity.

This episode features reflections by Baba Derrick on his spiritual journey and mentors, including the late Nzinga Ratibishi Heru and the late Dr. Jacob Carruthers, both past leaders of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC). Baba Derrick discusses influential books that shaped his understanding of African civilizations and spirituality, such as works by Chancellor Williams, Anthony Browder, and John G. Jackson. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and guided study in navigating complex historical and spiritual concepts.

Baba Derrick Jackson talks about the challenges of connecting with African spiritual traditions. Baba Derrick highlights the intentional suppression of information regarding the rich history of African civilizations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind historical events. The discussion contrasts the readily accessible, repetitive nature of Kemetic mythology with the singular, often unbelievable events described in the Biblical text. Baba Derrick uses a timeline to illustrate the vast temporal gap between African history and the narratives presented in Western religious texts, urging listeners to reconsider established historical narratives.

Dr. Catherine L. Adams and Baba Derrick Jackson explore the concept of a "Messiah" through the lens of ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) mythology. Baba Derrick argues against a direct comparison between the Western Christian figure of Christ and the Kemetic figure of Heru, emphasizing the crucial difference between individuality (represented by the image of Jesus) and reciprocity (represented by the image of Heru nursing). He uses the Kemetic myth of Ausar, Auset, and Heru to illustrate the interconnectedness of masculine and feminine energies, highlighting the roles of both Auset (the birthing mother) and Nephthys (the nurturing mother) in raising Heru and avenging Ausar's murder. This narrative, he suggests, serves as a liberation story showcasing the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and the importance of ancestral connection and wisdom.

In this episode Dr. Catherine L. Adams asks Baba Derrick Jackson about the "K-r-s-t" in the name "Krst Universal Temple." Baba Derrick explains the name's origins, connecting it to the Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) title "Krst" and the concept of individuals reaching their full potential, exemplified by figures like Imhotep and Queen Hatshepsut. He explains the nature of societal and spiritual development in ancient Kemet, emphasizing the continuous pursuit of improvement across generations. The discussion also touches on the differing reactions of Christian congregations and leadership to Baba Jackson's teachings.

In this episode, Baba Derrick Jackson walks through the expansion of Project Sankofa, a rites-of-passage program for children, and the connection to South Carolina daughters like Marian David and Marian Wright Edelman. The program's evolution connects directly to the Children's Defense Fund and the training of thousands of Ella Baker trainers in the re-birth of Freedom Schools. The program's eventual end is attributed to family and life changes and the increasing community preference for program implementation rather than a train-the-trainer model to build local capacity and sustainability. A gendered difference in approach between the male and female versions of the program is highlighted. Finally, the podcast notes the program's continued legacy through workshops at the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW). To read more about the work, see Project: Sankofa - A Rites of Passage Program: Philosophy, Theory, and Overview by Joe Benton, Derrick Jackson, and Burnett Gallman.