Hello, friends! We are continuing our celebration of Black History Month here on the art of kindness podcast by discussing a life-changing work today.

I’ve been reading… Caste: the Origins of our Discontent by Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson.

I need to tell you all, and - no they did not pay me to say this - run, walk, crawl, do whatever you can to get this book that is, I think, a bridge to connecting us all as humans. It is one of the most masterfully written books that has ever been released..

I mean, I don't have the data on that, but I do know that it broke records for holding a spot as the number one read on the New York Times Best Seller List. I'm in the middle of this book and just being blown away page after page. Every morning I'm starting my day by reading Caste, and it's a tough read, but it's a really vital one.

But don’t take it from me - Oprah Winfrey put it perfectly when she called it a "must-read for humanity."

The reason why I'm suddenly now waking up to this book, which, again, broke records during the shutdown in 2020, is because a stunning film adaptation that now only brings the book to life, but showcases how and why Isabel Wilkerson was called to write it.

The acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay wrote and made a film that people said could not be done. A lot of people said that Caste as a book would really be impossible to adapt into a film.

But you know that's all you need to tell somebody to light a fire in you. Thank the movie gods that Ava was able to work with Isabella to learn more about her life and craft this exquisite movie.

Origin reminded me of the true purpose of movies - to move us. So please everyone buy the book, watch the movie, do whichever one you can first, but please take in this work.

This movie Origin is out now. It did not in my opinion get the attention it deserved during a word season. Especially the talent who plays Isabel - Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor - I would give her an Oscar right now. I mean I don’t have one… YET hehe… She's fantastic.

I really would love to speak with her one day. I was blown away by her performance. I was really blown away by everyone. Everyone in this movie is a fantastic storyteller. So please, after today's conversation or before, if you wanna pause it now and try and watch the movie first. Please go see this film.

And I have to thank today's guest for really putting this movie back on my radar. The film wasn't given a booming budget to have billboards and this big advertising campaign.

So I was pitched to today's guest by a lovely team I've worked with in the past. And thanks to him, my life has changed. This film and now this book is still changing the way I think about the world.

So I would like to introduce you to today's guest, Isha Blacker.

Isha Blaaker is an actor and model who was raised in the Netherlands. He broke into the entertainment industry as a model, starring in major international luxury brand campaigns for Hugo Boss, L’Oreal, Ralph Lauren, and an Estée Lauder to name just a few. As he became more known in the fashion world, he developed a love for a different art - acting.

After making his mark on screen in Fear the Walking Dead and Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming, Isha booked the incredibly important film we are here to spotlight today: Ava DuVernay’s Origin.

Isha plays real-life trailblazing anthropologist Dr. Allison Davis in the sprawling drama, exploring the notion of caste in America. His character embarks on a landmark journey with his wife, portrayed by Jasmine Cephas Jones, from the segregated U.S. South to Nazi-era Berlin.

I’m grateful to have had the chance to discuss this film with him. It was a tough conversation not only because of the subject matter, but the fact that my internet was NOT on my side that day and logged us out of our recording room multiple times. Thankfully, Isha held on.

Now without further adieu, please enjoy Isha Blaaker…