A Bedtime Project

n Black-University mythology, The Darkness is the invisible space in which many wonderful and creative beings live. In these stories we invite you, young and old alike, to imagine with us some of these beautiful beings. The Darkness beings in these stories are creative, loving and life giving. Listen to their stories here, on our website, and everywhere podcasts are found.

 
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BUNNIES FOR LIFE
Narrated by Ricky Whittle

The final episode in this Season!

Our good friend Ricky Whittle aka Shadow Moon weaves this tale.

An old man, helpless and lost in one kind of way - befriends some furry babies who are helpless in a different way. The old man is helpless because he can no longer see or touch his wife, who he loved.

The furry babies are helpless because they know NOTHING of the world around them. And they lost their love also - their mother. 

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced by Avila Santo
Music scored and soundscape by Ron Blake
Original music and orchestration by Matthew Pittman
Post photo designed by Ashley Blanchard

 
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PEACOCK ON THE BLOCK
Narrated by Myko Lyric

There’s a Peacock in central park and its cleaning all the rocks and leaves!! And it’s wearing Air Jordans!

Wait. That’s not a peacock…. Oh my goodness but it sure thinks it is.  

Luckily, there’s a group of kind and understanding women, in a not terribly kind place - and they bring the poor thing back. 

Listen to Myko Lyric weave the tale…

Narrated by Myko Lyric
Written by Nick Gillie
Produced by Avila Santo
Music score and soundscape by Ron Blake

 
 
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DUWAUN’S CANDLE
Narrated by John Jones

Duwaun has lived in many loveless homes and now he lives in a hospital room with two other boys. Duwuan is 11 and he may not live another month. The other boys have someone to visit them, Duwuan does not.

There are several bags of candles downstairs in the hospital playroom. And, one night that Duwuan is most scared and alone - he lights one of the candles. Duwuan lights Baldwin.

Baldwin brings Duwaun a dream - and something from the dream follows Duwaun out of the Darkness into the light-world…

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced by Avila Santo
Scored by Ron Blake

 
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LOVE IN THE DESERT
Narrated by Yetide Badaki

This is a story of creation.

Creation of land and sea.

Creation of Spirit and Ghost.

Creation of body and life. 

And, finally,

the creation of Us.

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced by Avila Santo
Scored by Ron Blake
Photo Design by Ashley Blanchard

 
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Sly & Cindy
Narrated by Tiffany Coty

Only very recently Cindy was born. But that doesn’t stop her from uncovering some of the mysteries of her world very quickly. Even if she does get a few things confused - like, for instance, what species of animal her parents are. 

And once Cindy discovers locomotion the fun begins, very quickly.

Right away, Cindy sets out on a big adventure in the wilderness. And she runs into a very, very, very old friend. 

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced and Scored by Ron Blake
Original music by Matthew Pittman and Phil Daniels
Mixed by Phil Daniels
Ad post designed by Ashley Blanchard

 
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A Dance To Remember
Narrated by Moses Vern

A Dance To Remember - Portuguese Version
Narrated by - Amen Santo
Music - Avila Santo
Translation - Peter Lownds
Audio Engineer - George Karpasitis

Wilbert is buffing the floors in a fancy department store, one night. Wilbert’s wife passed away recently. So as he buffs the marble floors near the women’s section, on the second floor, he begins to miss his wife. 

His love is so powerful - that the very clothes themselves take pity on Wilbert. And a miracle happens…  

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced & edited by Avila Santo
Music score by Ron Blake

 
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Little Cheetah Girl
English version by Susan Dalian

Little Cheetah Girl
Amharic Version translated and read by Akrosia Samson

Once upon a time there was a little girl.  And yet - she soon discovered - she was not only a girl. 

She was something else.... Something wild and dangerous.  For a time she suffered, with honor, with her secret.

But her people loved her; her mommy and daddy and a special teacher. And she loved herself, also. And so - she found a way to be who she was meant to be… And she found a sacred people who understood her needs. 

And she was ALL she could be.

Written by Nick Gillie
Amharic version produced by Leelai Demoz
English version produced by Avila Santo
All Music scores and compositions by Ron Blake

 
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Sammi Is A Hitter
English version read by Chris Bauer

Sammi Is A Hitter サミーはヒッター Japanese Version
Japanese version read by Ryu Morioka

Sammi wakes up and remembers - Today is her Big Day. She is the first....

And she will have to perform under pressure -- in front of the WHOLE TOWN. Listen to see what happens....

Written by Nick Gillie
English version Produced & Edited by Lafern Cusack
Japanese translation - Madoka Fujii
Japanese version produced by - Yuko Mizuno
Mixed by Avila Santo
Music scored and sound design Ron Blake
Original music by Eric Lewis courtesy of Harry Lennix

 
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Mary’s Mud Puddle
Read by Harry Lennix

Mary doesn't always like to do her hair. She doesn't always want to be "cute." And there is a puddle of mud just outside Mary's town. When Mary is alone near the mud puddle, one day, everything changes. And she gets some answers to being Mary.

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced & Edited by Lafern Cusack
Original music by Eric Lewis courtesy of Harry Lennix

 
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LaQuesha Gets Her Wings
Read by Yolonda Ross

LaQuesha Gets Her Wings - Turkish Version
Read by Gizem Erdogen

LaQuesha is a ten year old Black girl living in a housing project with dreams of being an entrepreneur. With the help of the ancestors she learns to use the force of love inside of her that is The Darkness.

Written by Nick Gillie
Produced & Edited by Lafern Cusack
Original music by Eric Lewis courtesy of Harry Lennix

Turkish Version 
Produced by Chidem Alie 
Music scored and designed by Ron Blake
Vocals recorded in Sweden by Johan Moberg
Turkish vocal editing, studio mix and additional sound design by Julian Schuller
Additional music created by Matthew Pittman

Songs: “Fly, Laquesha, Fly”: music, lyrics, and performance by Bobby Broom

“Come To Me”: music, lyrics, and performance by Avila Santo

 

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