I SEE U

In recent years, with each election cycle, voting results very often come down to the wire. Consequently, when it comes to politics and ideologies related to our government, America remains completely divided. And with the racial and political reckoning of 2020 after the death of George Floyd, the clash over the true meaning of democracy has burst right back into the spotlight. It’s exactly why acclaimed author, Peniel Joseph, decided to release his latest book, The Third Reconstruction. Join us as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with scholar-activist and professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Peniel Joseph. The forward-thinking historian offers up insight on how he’s dissected significant aspects of our American history into three watershed hinge moments and why he argues that it is in this third moment where an opportunity exists for all Americans to effectively confront racism and build new ways of reconciliation, thoughtful action and healing.

In 2021, after a wave of global unrest over racial injustice that followed the death of Houstonian George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, a coalition of Broadway theater owners, union leaders, creators and casting directors outlined a series of reforms and commitments for the industry to ensure there would be equity and inclusion implemented in all of its new contractual agreements, including ways to help widen the talent pool to more diverse candidates. But for how long will this push for more diversity last? Are there any measures of tracking and accountability in place? And will audiences take notice and support those shows in ticket sales? Join us as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson explores what’s really happening behind the curtain with actor and 4-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, Ron Simons. A former Microsoft executive, he’s also Founder and CEO of SimonSays Entertainment, a multiple award-winning production house and consultancy service for artists, producers and investors.

Civil rights attorney, Jeffery Robinson, released a film in 2021 entitled, “WHO WE ARE: A CHRONICLE OF RACISM IN AMERICA.” In the documentary, Robinson addresses an audience onstage as if he’s inside a courtroom, arguing a case on how grappling with racism is “our shared history.” He challenges them to question why so many aspects of American history related to slavery, state-sanctioned violence and discrimination against Blacks had been forgotten or even hidden. Since the film’s release, what inroads to racial progress have happened in the United States? Join us as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson speaks unguarded with the founder and executive director of ‘The Who We Are Project,’ an organization that tackles this country’s history of anti-Black racism and white supremacy, Jeffery Robinson. A former ACLU Deputy Legal Director offers up a compelling look at the importance of reframing today’s discussions around race and the implications of understanding what could happen if these hidden histories are suddenly revealed and circulated throughout communities across the nation.

Actress Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as the spoiled ‘Hilary Banks,’ Will Smith’s cousin in the hit ‘90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – which aired for six seasons on NBC. Parsons is now an acclaimed writer and has already produced a series of award-winning animated children’s films about unsung Black historical figures. She’s also published three books for children: a middle-grade novel, How High the Moon; and two picture-book biographies that stem from her non-profit organization called, Sweet Blackberry. But what sparked her interest in writing – and why has it been so important for her to focus on specific illustrations and images of Black achievement for all children and young readers? Join us as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with author Karyn Parsons Rockwell about whether or not these renewed conversations about race are starting to cause a bit of fatigue and exhaustion in today’s society. The celebrated actress also reveals how the relationship she’s had with her mother served as inspiration that instilled a deep sense of culture and heritage to her first-born child.

Gerald Albright is one of the most sought-after musicians in the world of contemporary jazz. The iconic saxophonist has been recording music for nearly four decades with eight Grammy Award nominations to show for it. And with his signature blend of funk, soul and R&B, much of his productions create the perfect mood for love and romance. But despite the success of smooth jazz back in the early 90’s, today’s commercial radio won’t touch the format. Join Host Eddie Robinson as I SEE U continues its ongoing series dedicated to exploring the predominantly African-American musical format of smooth jazz with renown musician, Gerald Albright. The veteran instrumentalist offers up his candid insight on how station clustering and computer automation may have contributed to its decline, but he remains optimistic of a new generation of performers and innovative musicians who are working to reinvigorate its future.

Known as one of the Original Kings of Comedy with Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, and Cedric the Entertainer—the legendary comedian, Bernie Mac, is now featured in a book of inspirational quotes and daily motivations called, “I Don’t Care If You Like Me, I Like Me.” A native of Chicago, Bernie Mac developed a comedic style of storytelling that was aggressive, honest, and straight-up, in-your-face humor that only he could uniquely pull off or get away with onstage and onscreen. His wife, Rhonda McCullough, held on to old tapes and vintage recordings of the Emmy award-winning actor to construct the book where each day of the year features an interesting quote of affirmation in the voice of Bernie Mac. Join Host Eddie Robinson as he speaks candidly with his wife, Rhonda McCullough, about why she chose this format to pay tribute to her late husband, who died in 2008 from complications of a disease known as sarcoidosis. I SEE U also chats unguarded with the master impressionist who served as the narrator of the audiobook, comedian Reggie Reg.

In the PBS series, MAKING BLACK AMERICA: THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, famed documentarian, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., sits down with noted scholars, politicians, cultural leaders and old friends to explore what it means to be a Black American in a country where racial discrimination and white supremacy still exist. Join us as Host Eddie Robinson facilitates a recent panel discussion about the film that was recorded live in front of a virtual audience. The panel of guests include the film’s award-winning producer and director, Stacey Holman; acclaimed historian who’s featured in the project and University of Texas at Austin professor, Dr. Ashley Farmer; and Senior Pastor of the historic Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Houston and KTSU radio host, Pastor Dr. D.Z. Cofield. Our I SEE U panelists will chat candidly about the real impacts of racial integration on the Black community, the current state of Black institutions following the Civil Rights Movement and a possible incentive for any family to start their own quest of building personal archives that preserve the rich histories and stories of their ancestors.

Members of a group of community-based organizations recently embarked upon a month-long bus caravan that stretched across several cities throughout the southern region of the country, including places like Atlanta; Birmingham; Little Rock, Arkansas; Houston and Jackson, Mississippi. The tour was designed specifically to support Black girls and young women by providing them with resources and networking tools to help build on their personal and professional career goals. Appropriately titled, “Joy Is Our Journey Dream Bus Tour,” the eye-catching, hot pink vehicle carried a portable ‘Dream Village’ that featured collaborative workshops, face-painting stations and other interactive activities. But why dedicate this endeavor exclusively to the South? And how come this community collective decided to partner with one of the most provocative and controversial Southern Black women in entertainment—Houston’s own and three-time Grammy-award winner, Megan Thee Stallion? Join us as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with the Visionary Founder of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, LaTosha Brown as well as the group’s Executive Director, Malikah Berry Rogers. The pair will share their strategies and ideas behind how they’ve been able to transform mindsets of young teen girls and even adult women of a certain age realize their full potential while living and sometimes surviving in the Deep South.

Betty Ann Kilby  and her family were terrorized when they defied their local school board and the governor of Virginia to desegregate the only high school in their county in 1959. And yet, nearly 50 years later, in 2007, she was willing to talk to a descendant of a family who had once enslaved her ancestors. It was a defining move reminiscent of a well-known quote in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech of 1963. The passage read in part: “I have a dream that one day… the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.” Join us as two courageous women take a seat at the I SEE U table of sisterhood and chat unguarded with Host Eddie Robinson about the power of forgiveness, acceptance and reconciliation. “Wit, Wills and Walls” author, Dr. Betty Kilby Fisher Baldwin, reveals to I SEE U surprising details never-before-told of her personal life; and Phoebe Kilby, co-author of the book, “Cousins,” candidly shares her own insight into attitudes toward reparations and how White Americans whose families owned slaves grapple with stories and narratives of descendants who are now starting to trace their hidden histories linked to some form of enslavement.

Author Jill Nagle is not intimidated by facilitating open and honest conversations about white supremacy. She’s even designed workshops and programs to help counsel and coach white people to help them better understand how racism works and how they can use their white privilege to make a difference. But are these programs and teachings really working? Find out as I SEE U takes a provocative look at what some people are doing to overcome racist attitudes and behaviors. Host Eddie Robinson talks candidly with writer/consultant, Jill Nagle, to learn more about what triggered her interest in anti-racism as well as gain insight into the unique practices and strategies that she is incorporating during these sessions. Nagle, who joins us virtually from her home in the Bay Area, is currently putting the finishing touches on an upcoming book that examines how white people can engage with other whites to develop action plans that dismantle white supremacy and those ideals linked to white nationalism.