Pioneering social change through hip hop and permaculture with Ian Solomon-Kawall

Hip-hop artist and urban-food growing pioneer Ian Solomon-Kawall (aka KMT Freedom Teacher), shares his story of hope, grit and passion. During this episode, he describes the journey that led him to transform his late mother’s London garden into a dynamic community hub where permaculture, music and creativity ignite social change and empowerment. As the co-founder and CEO of award-winning CIC May Project Gardens, Ian has channelled the pain and grief of his childhood experiences and the challenges of dyslexia into what he calls ‘rays of light’ and ‘compassion to the max’.

"We use nature, food, and creative arts to work with marginalised groups - mostly young people, people of colour and refugees - to create social change. Having genuine care for the people around us and the environment is pivotal to our success."–Ian Solomon-Kawall

In Ian’s We As Nature story, he shares:

• The impact of his mother’s physical and mental health and the insights it’s brought forth
• The permaculturist who landed in his home by chance and transformed not only Ian’s garden but his life path
• The pitfalls and obstacles he faced when working in the music industry and charitable sector
• The challenges and strengths of having dyslexia
• How the three core principles of permaculture inform the May Project Garden ecosystem ethos
• The journey of May Project Gardens, from a run-down patch of grass to a 16-yr old grassroots organisation engaging people from all over the world
• The influence of growing up in an all-female household and how this informed his approach to employment equality
• How the natural environment serves as a guide and reference point for his choices

Find out more about Ian’s work:

• May Project Gardens website and Instagram
• KMT website and Instagram
• Little Seeds (opening spoken word)

Credits
Creative Producer & Host: Nathalie Joel-Smith on behalf of Flourishing Diversity
Music Composer and Sound Producer: Dom Martin
Live Event Production: Katy Molloy,  Laura Tyley & Andrea Langlois
Illustrations: Rohama Malik

About Flourishing Diversity
We As Nature was recorded during an online gathering hosted by Flourishing Diversity.

Flourishing Diversity nurtures the human capacity to respect and uphold vibrant cultures and flourishing ecosystems.

You can register to receive updates and inspiration from us here and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Linked In.