Crosscurrents

Oakland muralist Timothy B's work focuses on uplifting African-Indigenous communities, especially young people. For the NBA All-Star game this year, The Warriors commissioned him to paint a mural that takes up half a block in Downtown Oakland. KALW’s Jeneé Darden met up with Timothy in front of his mural, "Hoop Dreams," to hear about his artwork and dreaming big during hard times.

With the start of Pride Month, we're re-airing a story from 2020 about local queer icon Phyllis Lyon. Her life, her community, and the support she received in her final days.

Today, we explore the human-machine ecosystem. Then, the new executive director of the Bay Area Book Festival. And, we hear why unhoused people use “street names.” 

Did you know your muscles can make sound? Or that your heart and lungs are musical instruments just waiting to be played? Well every Wednesday in the Mission District, people from artist and tech communities let go of assumptions about each other and their own bodies to create together.

The Bay Area Book Festival is back this weekend for its 11th year. Book lovers of all ages can check out readings and author talks in Downtown Berkeley. The festival has new leadership that is guiding the organization through a tough political climate and betting that books will lead us to a brighter future. 

For unhoused people, "street names" are monikers — chosen or assigned — that often take the place of the names they were assigned as children. But what are the stories behind these names, and what purpose do they serve? 

In 2022, one of the producers from Uncuffed's original San Quentin cohort, Edmond Richardson, married the love of his life, Avelina. Today, all six of the members of that first cohort have been released from prison. Edmond came home late last year, and so much has happened since that episode of the podcast aired three years ago. And you’ll want to stick around until the end to hear a very special update from Edmond and Avelina.

Uncuffed will be back with brand new episodes on June 19. You can catch up on anything you've missed here! 

For some, present day headlines are reminders of past terrors, causing them to seek refuge in the genres of Black Horror and Afro-Futurism. A local bookstore owner is helping people use these artforms to connect and envision brighter futures.

Today, seeking refuge in Black Horror and Afro-Futurism. Then, the directors of “Freaky Tales.” And, authors who are looking into the near future with their fiction.

“Freaky Tales” is a gritty, sci-fi, action film set mostly in Oakland. The story takes place in 1987. There’s a green, glowing, electric energy that hovers in the air above Oakland and it makes people do powerful things. Anna Bolden and Ryan Fleck are the writing/directing team behind the movie.