Black Austin Matters

Rapper, lyricist, songwriter, and America’s Got Talent finalist Mama Duke joins Lisa and Rich on Black Austin Matters to talk about her journey from growing up in Palacios, Texas, to performing on the national stage. She shares the story behind her name, how she got her start in rap, her musical influences, and the creative process behind her songwriting. Plus, she reflects on her experience…

Source

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa and Rich sit down with artist, educator, father, community leader, and Austin’s Poet Laureate, Zell Miller III. Recorded live in May at the inaugural KUT Festival, Zell shares what it was like growing up in Austin and finding his voice as an artist. He also discusses his passion for educating youth, building spaces where creatives can thrive…

Source

At just 15 years old, community organizer Kyra Newton testified at the Texas Capitol in support of the CROWN Act. Now, as the youngest guest to appear on Black Austin Matters, she joins Lisa and Rich to share how she found her voice as an organizer, the story behind the nonprofit Beyond Boundaries that she co-founded, her experiences during her final year of high school, and how she navigated the…

Source

Civic strategist, native Austinite, and community leader Eric Byrd sits down with Lisa and Rich to reflect on growing up in Austin, why he believes being of service is his life’s purpose, the lasting impact of positive male role models, the importance of men coming together to support one another, how brilliance can be found in the places we least expect, and his experience as an executive…

Source

Lisa and Rich continue their conversation with basketball champion, commentator, author and entrepreneur Fran Harris. Fran reflects on what inspired her entrepreneurial journey, the vision behind launching her own basketball league, and how the loss of her mother profoundly reshaped her perspective on life. The full transcript of this episode of Black Austin Matters is available on the KUT…

Source

Basketball champion, entrepreneur and author Fran Harris talks with Lisa and Rich about what it means to be a champion, lessons her mother taught her about resilience, being part of the 1986 Women’s National Championship team at Texas, making the WNBA after retiring from basketball, and why coaching was never her calling.

Source

This season, Black Austin Matters continues to spotlight the voices shaping Austin’s culture, history, and future. You’ll hear from recording artist Mama Duke, a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent, Austin native and civic leader Eric Byrd, and entrepreneur and Longhorn legend Fran Harris, who helped lead the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team to a national championship in 1986.

Source

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich sit down with Austin native Dr. Cheryl Clark-Brown, founder of Clark-Brown Family Care Clinic. Dr. Clark-Brown shares her inspiring journey into medicine, her deep-rooted passion for integrative healing, and her unwavering dedication to serving the community. She also offers heartfelt advice to the Black community on prioritizing self…

Source

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich chat with Ballet Afrique founder and contemporary dancer China Smith. China takes us on a joyful stroll down memory lane, sharing what she loved about growing up in Austin and why her community means so much to her. She talks about how her time in the Bay Area shaped her, the music that moves her, and why movement is so important…

Source

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich sit down with Talib Abdullahi, founder of the Black History Bike Ride. Talib shares his journey from growing up in Houston, including what it was like to have professional jazz musicians as parents, to making his way to Austin to attend the University of Texas. He talks about how his passion for history and cycling came together to spark…

Source