In Chicago, Dulé Hill explores why art and activism are synonymous.

Chicago is a city known for its rich history and culture. But for some, it’s been marred by crime and violence. In this episode, Dulé Hill meets the city’s talented artists to explore why art and activism are often synonymous in the Midwest.

Chicago is a city known for its rich history and culture. But for some, it’s been marred by crime and violence. In this episode, Dulé Hill meets the city’s talented artists to explore why art and activism are often synonymous in the Midwest. On the South Side of Chicago, Dulé joins a casting session with the Andre Theatre Collective, a group trying to produce their first play, which was written by incarcerated playwrights. The play examines why much of the city has been marred by crime, especially for those living in Black communities. It’s an issue the friends have all dealt with personally, but this play holds a special place in their heart because it was co-written by one of their friends, James Warren. With James locked behind bars, it’s up to his friends to do the impossible and bring these powerful words to a Chicago stage. Dulé also meets Vershawn Sanders Ward, who is bringing African Diasporic dance to her underserved community through her company Red Clay Dance. Not only is she creating a space for people of color to be seen, she’s also highlighting other issues affecting her community, like food inequality. Dulé also takes the stage with Bassel Almadani, a first-generation, Syrian-American musician who is using his platform to bring awareness to the civil war ravaging his family’s beloved homeland, and the resulting refugee crisis. When he’s not on stage, Bassel teaches refugee children to keep their culture, and his, alive and well.