Pulitzer Prize Winning Podcaster & Artist Speaks at Clarke October 1

The Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series returns Wednesday, October 1 with award-winning artist and podcaster Yohance Lacour. His lecture, “The Therapeutic Nature of Social Justice-Driven Art,” will begin at 7 p.m. in Jansen Music Hall and is free and open to the public. 

Known for his YJL luxury sneaker label and leather artistry, Yohance Lacour discovered his craft while incarcerated. This unique origin story informs a body of work that not only merges luxury with the raw experiences of Black life in America but also provides a powerful example of how art can be a means of processing and transcending personal and collective struggle. He has pieces in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Dubuque Museum of Art and the Smithsonian’s African American Museum of History and Culture. 

Additionally, Yohance carries on a powerful tradition of Black storytelling, including his work with the Invisible Institute’s Audio Team and Wrongful Conviction Unit. He hosted the podcast You Didn’t See Nothin, which won the 2024 Peabody Award and Pulitzer Prize for an in-depth review of a 1997 hate crime and the ripple effects still felt today. 

“In his lecture, Yohance will explore the profound therapeutic power of art in the context of social justice,” said Michael Knock, Professor of History and Chair of the Mackin-Mailander Lecture Committee. “Art can foster dialogue and connection within communities impacted by injustice and can serve as a catalyst for both individual and collective well-being, giving voice to marginalized experiences and challenging systemic inequalities. It is our hope that people are stirred by Yohance’s story to explore how they might act.” 

ABOUT THE MACKIN-MAILANDER LECTURE SERIES

The Clarke University Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series was established in 1997 after Clarke received gifts from two alumnae, Mary Mackin ’34 and Verna Slattery-Mailander ’20, to establish an endowed lecture series. The annual series consists of three lectures, including a prominent outside speaker, a faculty lecture, and an alumni lecture.