Wanda's Picks

Former teacher Jonathan Dearmen is profiled in Vanessa Roth's new film: American Teacher. Dearman is a lifelong San Francisco resident who has worked in real estate and education for the past twenty years. As a lifelong learner and educator, Jonathan has worked on education non-profits and school boards while running his family-owned real estate business since leaving the teaching profession in 2002. Jonathan is now looking to combine two of his passions, education and music, in a community project for young people in his neighborhood. Denizen Kane is a poet and musician born and raised in Tree City. He is one of the founders of I Was Born With Two Tongues (1998-2003), an Asian American spoken word quartet and Typical Cats, a Chicago-based hip hop collective.  His recorded works include LPs with Two Tongues (Broken Speak, AIR Records 1999) and Typical Cats (Typical Cats, G4 2000; Civil Service G4 2004) and solo albums (Tree City Legends Vol. 1, G4 2002; Vol. 2, G4 2005; Brother Min’s Journey to the West, TTB

Sisters Omitola and Yaniba join us to talk about Wo'se Community Church & Bay Area Black Psychologists present a free Community Health Fair, Sept. 23, 2011, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM and Saturday, Set. 24, 2011, 11 AM to 5 PM, (707) 637-2029. Marcus Lorenzo Penn, MD, speaks about stress reduction, the autumnal equinox, and a upcoming series of Yoga Meditations beginning Monday, Sept. 26, specific to Maafa Commemoration and Remembrance Month. He also gives listeners a way to reflect and respond to Troy Davis's pending execution.  GENEVIEVE JESSEEis an actor and playwright based in the San Francisco Bay Area. An Oakland native, she showed an early affinity for performance, which was fostered in a household full of words, music, and support. She attended Dillard University of New Orleans, LA where she received her B.A. degree in Theatre Arts. She went on to complete an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Boston University. Her theatre talents are varied, and in addition to her work as an actor and playwright she is a skille

Fighting for Our Freedom Tour stops in Oakland, Sept. 27-October 1, 2011 and features: Dorothy Pinkney and her husband Rev. Pinkney, who is President of the Benton Harbor NAACP and has been singled out for political attack because of his years of outspoken criticism of the takeover of his local City government by the Whirlpool Corporation. Carole Flowers speaks on the Second Annual "Stepping Toward the Cure 5K Fun Run & Walk (Northern California) at LakesidePark (near Bandstand) in Oakland, Sunday, Sep 18, 2011. Registration begins at 8 AM. Barbara Hunter joins us to talk about the Barbara Hunter Jazz Quartet performing tonight at the 57th Street Gallery in Oakland. Jacqueline Hairston speaks about Carnegie Hall Preview Concert at Afro Solo Sept. 24, 2011. We feature music arranged by Jacqueline Hairston and original music and that of others featuring Barbara Hunter: "My Secret Love/St. Thomas," "For Sarah" (B. Hunter), Searching for the Truth (M. Wright). We open with an excerpt from "Eternity" (Liz Wrig

Rebroadcast of archived show featuring Chinaka Hodge speaking about The Living Word Festival and Martina Correa who speaks about her brother Troy Anthony Davis, on death row. The warrant sets the execution between Sept. 21 and Sept. 28, 2011. The state Department of Corrections will set the actual date. Davis has been on death row for 19 years. In this interview, the execution date was set for October. It was overturned. Troy's birthday is October 9, 2011. Let's hope he sees that day. He has been at this point so many times, it is time for him to be released. However, Davis's appeals are exhausted. He is expected to once again ask the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to grant him clemency. The board has previously denied that request.: http://troyanthonydavis.org/   Money orders can be sent to Troy Anthony Davis #657378 GDCP c/o Georgia Department of Corrections: Inmate Accounts, P O Box 405699, Atlanta, Georgia 30384-5699. Do Not Send Cash, It will be Returned and Sometimes is Lost! Please keep copy of m

8:00 AM:  Jewell Parker Rhodes is the award-winning author of Voodoo Dreams, MagicCity, Douglass’ Women, Season, Moon, Hurricane, and the children’s book, Ninth Ward. Her writing guides include: Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors and The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction. Jewell is the Virginia G. Piper Chair in Creative Writing and Artistic Director of Piper Global Engagement at Arizona State University. 8:30 AM: Remembering Attica 40 Years Later with Yusufu L. Mosley has a BA in sociology & a MA in political science with an emphasis on social ethics. Currently, Yusufu works in the social justice field and is a member of several professional organizations related to the criminal justice field in the Chicagoland area. Yusufu is a trained and certified as a Circle Keeper in Restorative Justice (RJ) field. He is joined by Claude Marks, a former anti-imperialist political prisoner and is the Project Director of The Freedom Archives, a political, cultural oral h

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the writing, visual and performing arts of African people in the Diaspora. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work filled with raw unfettered passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay. Periodically, we will rebroadcast shows, what we call, "From the Archives."

STEVE JAMES, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor, is best known as the award-winning director, producer, and co-editor of Kartemquin’s Hoop Dreams, which won every major critics award as well as a Peabody and Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1995. Steve’s other award-winning films produced with Kartemquin include Stevie, winner of major festival awards at Sundance, Amsterdam, Yamagata and Philadelphia; the PBS series, The New Americans, which won the prestigious 2004 International Documentary Association Award for Best Limited Series THE INTERRUPTERS, which opens toda, Sept. 2, in San Francisco and Berkeley, is Steve’s sixth film in partnership with Kartemquin and his fifth film to play at the Sundance Film Festival.The film will be broadcast on PBS' Frontline in late 2011. Jetta Martin joins us to talk about "Mirrored: An Interactive Evening of Dance with Martin and Michael Velez at Dance Mission in San Francisco, Sept. 9-10. Come join us for an evening of dance, adventure and the element of cho

Broadcast of the Public Comments point of the historic California Assembly Hearing on Solitary Confinement August 23, 2011.

Guests: Parnell Herbert and Tracie Washington from Louisiana Justice Institute, Kenneth Cooper, CeCe Campbell Rock join us from New Orleans and California to discuss New Orleans six years after Hurricane Katrina. We conclude with two poets: Marta Sanchez, writer and artist from Panama who now lives in Oakland, CA, and Furaha Youngblood from Louisiana by way of Los Angeles and Oakland, CA who now lives in Panama (smile). We discuss their books: Cat-Eyed Woman from Louisiana (FY) and Beauty Unbalanced (MS). Music: Anthony Brown Orchestra's Afro-Blue, Babatunde Lea.

Sheila Phipps, artist, speaks about her son, No Limit Rapper, "Mac," who is serving 30 years, and her art currently at Sandra Berry's Neighborhood Gallery in New Orleans, who she says is innocent. Visit www.free-mac.org Kenneth Cooper is an independent writer and life-long resident of New Orleans. He recently graduated from the University of New Orleans (UNO) in 2008 with a degree in English and has his work published in the New Orleans Review, the Alternet, Sync504, and the New Orleans Examiner. Meshawn Tarver: In June 2010 Meshawn, graduate of George Washington University with a Masters in Public Health, became Executive Director of Common Ground Health Clinic (CGHC), a patient centered integrated medical home, serving the underinsured and uninsured population. CGHC also provides herbal medicine, acupuncture, women’s wellness group and broad array of classes including health education, cooking, gardening and art classes. Robert H. King, former political prisoner, only free member of the Angola 3, is author

Rebroadcast interview with Michelle Alexander: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colonialism and interviews with Joanna Haigood and visual artist Charles Trapolin, re: their collaboration with premiered earlier this year: The Monkey and the Devil. Visit http://www.ybca.org/content/zaccho-dance-theatre-monkey-and-devil Music: CHELLE! and Friends, who commemorate the music of Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and celebrates its Creole people and their remarkable music. Announcements: Words Upon the Waters: A Gulf Coast Update and Fundraiser is Sunday, August 28, 2011, 2-5 PM at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th Street, Oakland. There will be poetry, a film screening and current information on what's happening in New Orleans and Mississippi. Congratulations to Francisco Torres, SF8 member, whose charges were dropped and who is now free. Torres was the last member of the SF8 who was being prosecuted. Visit http://revolutionaryfrontlines.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/cisco-torres-is-free-of-all-charges-in-the-

Rebroadcast of the AUG 17, 2011, Marcus Garvey Special featuring guests: Dr. Oba T'Shaka, Sister Nefertina Abrams Sister Sheba Makeda Haven, Elder Ronald Freeman, Jabari Shaw and Robert King on George Jackson, Marcus Garvey, Black August and African Resistance.  

8 AM: Stepology choreographers: Jason Rodgers & Channing Cook-Holmes; 8:30 AM: Carol Stickman, Staff Attorney, Legal Services for Prisoners with Children re: Legislative Hearing and Rally in Sacramento, August 23, 2011, on Pelican Bay Hunger Strike & CA Corrections; 9 AM:Dinizulu Gene Tinnie re: Commemoration of the End of the Slave Trade and the Haitian Revolution. Historic Key West African Cemetery, in Florida, located on Atlantic Boulevard adjacent to Higgs Beach, between the White Street Pier and the West Martello Tower fort, will be the special venue for the Third Annual Observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, on Sunday, August 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 9:30 AM:Ava DuVernay, director, "I Will Follow," which is having its DVD release Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  

8 AM: Dr. Oba T'Shaka: Garvey's organization and how this impacted his life and work 8:30: Nefertina Abrams on Marcus Garvey's Legacy and His Wives. there is an event this weekend in FL. 9:00: Sheba Makeda Haven, UNIA Member; Elder Freeman, event in LA, Jabari Aali Shaw re: Marcus Garvey Parade and Event in Oakland, CA, Saturday, August 20, 2011. 9:30: Sundiata Tate (wasn't able to make it, Elder Freeman, Robert King re: Black August and George Jackson. Sheba and Jabari join us as well.  

One of the most recognized voices in Cuba, Wilfredo Campa combines his love of salsa, son, and jazz into an infectious, energetic blend of Afro-Latin rhythms and big-band sounds. Born and raised in the countryside of Cuba, Campa’s ambition and love for music, dance and song-writing led him to study professional singing at Cuban’s acclaimed Escuela Superacion de Arte Raul Sanchez. While a student, Campa toured internationally with the group Cumbre, performing at venues throughout Cuba and worldwide. His exciting stage presence and booming vocals brought him to join the GRAMMY-nominated band Maraca. From 1998 to 2005, Maraca released three critically acclaimed albums and shared the stage at prestigious jazz festivals with the ranks of Winston Marsalis, Poncho Sanchez, Natalie Cole, Joe Lovano, and other luminaries. In 2005, Campa formed the 13-piece Wil Campa y Su Orchestra, a collaboration of some of Cuba’s most celebrated artists. Es Tiempo, released in 2006, charted multiple singles, including the smash hi

Terri J. Vaughn joins us from Atlanta to talk about Take Wings Foundation Awards 2011 Aug. 13, 2011 in San Francisco. Heriberto Ocasio & David Santos talk about the People's Patrol in Oakland, CA, formed to witness, call out, and stand up to any and all illegal actions by the police against the people. "7 Women, 7 Stools," opens for one night only at the Black Repertory Group Theater, Sat., Aug. 20, 2011, 8 PM. Lady Kitty Griffin talks about her work which tells the stories if 7 very different women. Visit emergetheplay.com We close with a look at the transformative power of art, theatrespecifically, at San Quentin State Prison through the work of Lesley Currier, founding Managing Director of Marin Shakespeare Company. She holds a B.A. in Religion from Princeton University, where she was awarded the Frances LeMoyne Page Award for Theatre.  Lesley, 2007 Marin Women's Hall of Fame awardee, is founder of Shakespeare at San Quentin. The company, San Quentin Shakespeare, directed by Suraya Susana Keating, moth

BRGT Summer Theatre Co-directors Tanyonika Scott & Tavia Council join us to talk about closing week of The Wiz, August 10-14. For the entire summer children ages 4-16 have been honing their theatre and vocal skills for these public performances culminating this week at Black Repertory Group, 3201 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA, (510) 652-2120.  Show times are: 10 AM & 1 PM today and tomorrow, Friday, August 12 there are three performances: 10 AM, 1 PM and 8 PM. Saturday, August 13 there 2:30 & 8 PM and Sunday, August 14, 5 PM Visit http://blackrepertorygroup.com/Main_Stage.html  Next Antoine Hunter, Founder/Artistic Director Urban Jazz Dance Company, joins us to speak about "The Dance Up Close/East Bay" series at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley, August 19-20, 26-27 8pm at the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, 2704 Alcatraz Avenue, (510) 654-5921, www.UrbanJazzDance.com, www.shawl-anderson.org  Antoine is joined by company members, Erin Carper & Loran Clay-Tolbert.  Week 2 Deaf star, Fred Beam

8 AM: Ayana Labossiere, teacher, member, Haiti Action Committee is working with Alex Walker, Vagant Poetics, on a Benefit for Haiti--an open mic for activists at Goodbellies Cafe in Oakland; Robert Roth, teacher, is a co-founder of the Haiti Action Committee and a board member of the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund. 8:30 AM: Jovelyn Richards, playwright, Ms. Pat's House, which is opening at La Pena, August 19; she is joined by director Stephanie Johnson. 9 AM: Kevin Epps, filmmaker, joins us to talk about his film, The Black Rock, a film about blacks incarcerated in the USA's first maxium security prison, and his year long artist residency through Feb. 2012. As a Fellow at the deYoung Museum in San Francisco, Epps is hosting a series of Filmmakers Lounge screenings. The next one is Friday, August 12, 2011, 5-8:45 PM, where he will show The Black Rock in the Koret at the deYoung. It is a part of Fiesta Friday nights. Black August screens Saturday, August 13, 1 PM followed by a Q&A with the director. Saturday,

Nelson Vails, Olympian Silver Medalist and Anthony Taylor, Vice President of the National Brotherhood of Cyclists, join us on the air before they head to Oakland for the AUG. 4 to 7, 2011 for the Major Taylor Cycling Summit, San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area at the Marriott Hotel. We speak for almost an hour about the history of blacks on bikes in this country & Marshall W. "Major" Taylor a little known pioneer in the sport in 1899. It takes Vails, 110 years later to bring the notion or connection between blacks and bikes, blacks and the environment, blacks and healthy living, full circle. Vails will give a keynote address: "Nelson “Unveiled. 'Life in the Fast Lane: America’s First Ambassador of Cycling.'" Major Taylor died relatively unknown at the age of 53 in Chicago. Later his remains were exhumed and he was given a proper burial in a more prominent area of the Mt. Glenwood Cemetery. Anthony Taylor says he made a pilgrimage to Chicago. I forgot to ask about the "Taylor" surname--any relation (smile). The

Scott Rosenfelt, director, joins us to speak about his first documentary film, "Standing Silent," currently screening at the 31st Annual San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Aug. 8, 4:30 PM, at the Rafael Cinema. Known for his commercially successful works: "Smoke Signals," "Home Alone," "Mystic Pizza," "Teen Wolf" and "Extremities," "Gospel Hill" (producer),  says this film which looks at the incidence of child molestation in the Jewish community by rabbis and the silence that greets these accusations, "changed the way he looks at the world and the work he does."  His subject, Phil Jacobs, publishes a series of articles in The Jewish Voice, and it is these stories that are entre for the director into the story of abuse, neglect, forgiveness, and healing. Rosenfelt goes on to say of the three years spent filming with a small crew, that "Standing Silent"does the work documentaries are supposed to accomplish: "illuminate a relatively un-heard of subject, expose it and give people hope that although they will nev