Crosscurrents

April is National Poetry Month! Here’s a poem about the perpetual need to rearrange our personal comfort throughout our lives. 

Today, a conversation with Congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti. Then, we hear about one special song from the UnCuffed team. And, how one poet from the east coast became part of San Francisco’s literary history. 

This is a big election year for California’s District 11. Nancy Pelosi has held the seat in the US House of Representatives since 1987 and her retirement has created the first really competitive race to represent San Francisco in congress for nearly 40 years. 

KALW’s State of the Bay has been inviting the candidates for California’s 11th district to come on their show, and help voters get to know what they are running on and for. And we’re going to be airing segments of those conversations here on Crosscurrents this month.

Today, Saikat Chakrabarti. Chakrabarti started his career in tech here in San Francisco before turning to politics. He worked with Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and later served as campaign manager and chief of staff for Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York. He now leads a policy think tank devoted to issues like affordability and a green economy.

Chakrabarti spoke to State of the Bay host Grace Won.

The Uncuffed My Mixtape is a selection of our producers' favorite songs. Here, Uncuffed producer Rahim Bradshaw interviewed Michael “Luqman ” Russell Jr. about a song that makes him think about the challenges of maintaining a relationship while incarcerated.

April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate in proper style Bay Poets has been exploring the Poetry Center at San Francisco State’s archives. Josiah Luis Alderete is the host of KALW’s series, Bay Poets. And he has dug up audio of four San Francisco poets that have had a deep and lasting impact on the city’s literary landscape. We will be presenting them to you throughout the month. 

Today’s poet was is from the East Coast, but helped shape San Francisco’s literary scene. Here’s KALW News Editor, Sunni Khalid, speaking with Josiah about Q.R. Hand Junior. 

Today, a young man from Vallejo takes his next step towards the NBA. We hear his story, and how his mother worked to keep his pro basketball dream alive. Then, we visit a local pioneer who brought henna art to the Bay 30 years ago.

As the Golden State Warriors take the floor for their final home game of the regular season, questions still linger. With injuries shaping much of the year, and the postseason picture uncertain. Will younger players get a chance to step into the spotlight?

It’s a moment built on opportunity, something every young player dreams of. Including Chance McMillian of Vallejo. After completing his first season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team’s developmental affiliate, he’s one step closer to reaching his long-held dream. Reporter Demetrius Johnson brings us his story. 

The San Francisco Public Library is honoring SWANA - Southwest Asian and North African - Heritage month with programs including art, film, ballet... And a henna workshop taught by San Francisco henna artist Renda Dabit. Crosscurrents host Hana Baba went to visit Renda in her SF henna studio, and sat down for some henna and a chat.

Many lesbian and queer bars are important community spaces, but they struggle to survive financially. Today, we visit two different queer bars in Oakland to see what it takes to survive in the Bay Area. Then, we hear from State Senator Scott Weiner on why he wants to join the US House of Representatives. 

Late last year, the beloved Oakland queer bar Friends and Family announced the news that it was closing. Their community was so upset, devoted customers even threw the bar a funeral. KALW’s Jordan Karnes went to find out why these spaces are so important to their communities, and what’s the magic formula that queer bars need to survive.