Columbus Can't Wait

This week we stepped inside the barbershop with Chevez Moman of The BarberZone.

"We touch everybody, from the pimp to the preacher."

Chevez talks about the barbershop as an open and honest space for Black men, and the relationships nurtured there. That relationship, between the Black man and his barber, is often long-lasting, following them from adolescence to adulthood. Chevez also touches on mental health, the transparency clients often have with their barbers and stylists and keeping the barbershop a safe space for everybody.

Listen to Chevez's podcast In the BaberZone here.

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

On this week's episode of Columbus Can't Wait, we had the pleasure of speaking with Quiqi aka A.S.L. Princess, a DJ and curator who has helped solidify some of Columbus' most pivotal spaces. Quiqi breaks down her experience as an adolescent in Columbus, how the communities around her allowed her the space to come into her own and led to creative opportunities, her experience in Columbus nightlife as a trans woman, and she later breaks down how Black folks in Columbus could be more receptive of its queer community and encourages participation in what is often seen as solely queer spaces, how we build collective power, and much more.

A.S.L. Princess also hosts Character Witness on Verge FM.

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

In this week's episode, we talked to 3/4 of the team behind Native Tongues, Tripp Fontane, DJ Bern, and our very own, EhKees. Native Tongues provides a space for creative expression of all kinds, in an artists' "native tongue." The trio discusses curating a space for creatives, especially Black creatives, in Columbus; what it means to be a sacred space while also having principles for what is allowed in said space, and why that matters; showcasing high-caliber talent' being a space dictated and owned by the community; the exclusivity of support for certain artists in the city; defining success outside of the mainstream culture; and much more.

Hosted by Tareya. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

On this week's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ralph Carter of We Are Linden. Ralph provides historical and cultural background on Linden, , and discusses advocating for Linden and offering resources, protecting the historically Black neighborhood and changes happening in the community, including the outcomes of gentrification and crime.

Like many historically Black and/or working-class neighborhoods in Columbus, Linden has often been portrayed in a negative light. Ralph provides a positive outlook as well as context for some of the negative issues the community faces, and has an honest conversation about this space and where it can go from here.

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

This week we spoke with an inspiring duo and two of the faces behind Maroon Arts Group: Marshall Shorts and Ekundayo Igeleke.

The pair discuss MAG's founding and the incredible meaning behind its name, introducing and funding Black art in Columbus, providing space for Black artists and the limits of large public and private institutions when it comes to Black art. They also provide an update on progress made on the historic Pythian Temple, which was purchased by MAG this past summer and stands to be a game-changer in respect to Black arts spaces.

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

It’s Election Day tomorrow and so this week, we’re releasing a special live edition of Columbus Can’t Wait with the President of the Ohio Young Black Democrats, friend of the show, Jordan Hawkins, to talk about what comes next after the election is over.

This is a quick breakdown  about what's on the ballot, why elections are important in between the presidential generals, what we should be doing next and more.

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. 

Recorded LIVE and NOT Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. 

Executive Producers: Tareya Palmer, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. 

Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman. #ColumbusCantWait #TheCCWShow #CCWSeason3 #CCWBlackSpaces #ProtectBlackSpaces #HonorBlackSpaces

Welcome back to Columbus Can't Wait! We are in the lab again, kicking off Season 3 with friend of the show Kaleem Musa! Kaleem is a newly elected member of the Near East Area Commission who sets the season off with an energizing conversation on what’s necessary for Black spaces to thrive.

This season is focused on Black voters, the spaces they congregate in, and how those spaces are impacted by policy. When electoral candidates campaign for Black votes, many segments of the community are left out of the conversation. Season 3 explores the Black community’s other gathering spaces—from the barbershop, salon, local bar, and more.

Learn more about Columbus Area Commissions here. Follow Commissioner Musa on Instagram @commissionermusa and @kaleem_prolific. 

Hosted by Tareya & EhKees. Engineered at The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio. Executive Producers: Tareya Jefferies, Malcolm White and Jenn Nielsen. Associate Producer: Taijuan Nichole Moorman.

In this special episode we speak with Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin. Born and raised on the south side of Columbus, Council President Hardin earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College. He was appointed to Council in 2014, won election in November, 2015, and was reelected on in 2017.

CP Hardin serves as the Chair of the Rules and Reference Committee - overseeing the legislative agenda, changes to Columbus City Code, and appointments - as well as Chair of the Small and Minority Business Committee - driving policy to encourage equitable City purchasing and a thriving small business ecosystem. He previously chaired the Public Service and Transportation Committee and the Neighborhoods Committee. 

After a tumultuous year, we talk candidly with CP Hardin about our point of view, his origin story, what he feels have been his triumphs and challenges; and where he sees the city of Columbus going in the future.

Hosted by EhKees & Tareya. Engineered by The Dreamcatchers Recording Studio and Executive Produced by Jenn Nielsen.