On this episode of Talking Black with Michele Simpson, you’ll learn about educational disparities, specifically for Black students with disabilities. You’ll also hear from Jane Dunhamn, the director of the National Black Disability Coalition.

Listen:

Hosted by Michele Simpson.

On this edition of Black Talk, host Michele Simpson speaks with guest Terri Gentry, who is a the historian on the board of directors at the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center. Together, Simpson and Gentry dive into Colorado’s connection to The Great Migration, Terri’s family’s Dearfield past, and where to begin an exploration of Black history here in Colorado and beyond.

Listen:

On this month’s edition of Black Talk, Michele Simpson speaks with Colorado children’s book author Nyasha Williams. As we are on the cusp of a new but familiar socio-political era, Simpson speaks with Williams about the banning of books, especially those written by Black women. They also discuss Williams’ efforts to “ignite new conversations, inspire action, and ultimately help create a more equitable and just world.”

Last time Williams was on the show, she had just come out with The Black Tarot Collection, which includes the Ancestral Awakening Deck and Guidebook.

Listen:

Listen:

Rep. Joseph, in partnership with the NAACP, led the successful passage of House Joint Resolution 24-1003, which officially renamed the highway earlier this year.  On today’s Black Talk, we hear about the significance of this milestone and its connection to the ongoing fight for justice and equality.

The event marks the installation of signs between mile markers 32 and 37. The signs commemorate Dr. King’s call to “let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado.”

•Wilma Webb – Keynote speaker and former Colorado legislator, founder of the MLK Colorado Holiday Commission.

•State Rep. Junie Joseph – Colorado State Representative for District 10, led the legislative effort to rename the highway.

•CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz – Chancellor of the University of Colorado Boulder.

•NAACP Boulder County President Annette James – President of the Boulder County NAACP.

•Dr. Rae Rebbecca –Director of the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) at CU Boulder.

•Wanda James – Emcee for the event, CU Regent, and entrepreneur.

Black Talk is produced by Alexis Kenyon 

State Representative Junie Joseph, the first Black woman to represent House District 10, faced a primary challenge in June.

Despite her strong legislative record, including passing 36 bills in her first term, the Boulder Democratic Party supported Tina Mueh, a retired teacher and former union president, in the primary. This decision marked a rare move by the party, which typically backs incumbents.

In the past 10 years, the party has only challenged two other incumbents. One of those was Coroner Emma Hall in 2014 due to workplace issues and District Attorney Michael Dougherty in 2018 shortly after his appointment. Joseph secured the Democratic nomination with 59% of the vote, prompting discussions about representation and equity within the party.

Then we hear from KGNU’s Kenneth Flowe who was recently appointed as Boulder County Democrat’s Outreach and Inclusion Chair and Tim Barnes, a current Lafayette City Council person. Simpson, Barnes and Flowe talk about their takes on the recent primary and challenges faced by Black candidates running for office in Boulder.

Listen:

Story produced by Alexis Kenyon 

Frederick Douglass first asked this question that many Black Americans continue to ponder.

Juneteenth is a play on the date of June 19, 1865. This date marks the day when Black Union troops made their way to Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved African Americans were free.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, news of freedom slowly made its way to Texas and most western rebelling states.

On this episode of Black Talk host, Michele Simpson talks with eight Black Coloradans about their Juneteenth stories. We hear where her guests first learned about Juneteenth and how they have celebrated what some refer to as Freedom Day and plan to commemorate it in 2024.

This story was produced by Alexis Kenyon.

Listen: