People Activity Radio

Discover the momentous events that defined the Foundational Black American Freedmen experience in Las Vegas throughout the Civil Rights era. These events altered the city's history and changed thousands of lives. Our story introduces individuals who are connected to these events, and to each other.

The Tampa Bay History Center and WUSF present a program on the Florida Chitlin' Circuit, a network of Black-owned venues that thrived during the Jim Crow era. Local and national experts will discuss how these clubs fostered community and launched the careers of iconic musicians such as Ray Charles. NPR journalist and musician Eric Deggans will lead the discussion, shedding light on this overlooked chapter of American music history.

Panelists -ERIC DEGGANS | TV and Media Critic, NPR | Musician | Author, Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation

-Arthenia Joyner | Former Senator and Civil Rights Attorney | Daughter of Henry Joyner who owned Joyner's Cotton Club

-Michelle Scott | Professor of History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Author, T.O.B.A. Time: Black Vaudeville and the Theater Owners' Booking Association in Jazz-Age America

-Sharon Preston-Folta | Award-winning filmmaker and author of Little Satchmo | Daughter of Louis Armstrong

Florida Conversations is free and accessible in person and streamed live on Zoom. We thank our sponsors: USF Libraries, WUSF Public Media, and AARP Tampa Bay. Additional sponsor support is graciously provided by Shelley Blood and the Lorenzo Molay Family.

Tribute to Foundational Black American Soul Music Tradition and its Chitlin Circuit Foundations.

Neely Fuller Jr | No Longer A Victim | No Fanfare, No Celebration Just do something constructive. Remember the Godfather of counter-racist codification. Acknowledging his constructive relationship with Dr. Frances Cress Welsing

We discuss the history of race in colonial Louisiana and how it created an opportunity for Free People of Color subject to black classification to actively participate in what they perceived to be in their best interest during the Civil War. We highlight the contributions of the 1st Louisiana Native Guard lead by unsung Black American Patriot Cpt. Andre Cailloux.

We take a look at the amazing Rise and Fall of Sylvester Long also known as Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance. A Soldier, Athlete, Author, Journalist, Public Speaker and Actor.

We discuss the hidden Non white (Pardo, Self Liberated Freedmen, Negros, Indios, Mullato and Peasant) Militia of Mexico in the City of Puebla that overcame insurmountable odds to win the Battle of Puebla historically coined Cinco De Mayo. We attempt to apply counter racist logic in gathering conclusions of who/why non white warriors are systematically hidden from this American Historical moment. We also discuss the ramifications of this battle in the Civil War conflict of the United States.

We discuss the 2 year long runaway maroon insurrection in South Carolina lead by charismatic maroon bandit Forest Joe. We use interview of author Syliviane A. Diouf to provide historical context. We also question why the Denmark Vessey conspiracy is more publicized than the 2 year insurrection of Forest Joe and his band of Runaway Maroons.

We discuss the Boston Massachusetts execution of slaves by the name of Mark and Phillis. Both subject to black classification. One female, the other a male. Phillis was burned alive. Mark was hanged and gibbeted for over 20 years. Both were found guilty of conspiring to murder their owner Capt. John Codman. We attempt to add a counter racist perspective as we analyze this well documented event. There has been only 2 people burned alive in Boston Massachusetts history. Both were women subject to black classification/slaves. Both were found guilty of murdering or attempting to murder their owner who was classified as white. Mark's gibbeted body hanged in Boston for over 20 years. His dead gibbeted corpse was mentioned by Paul Revere as a landmark on his historic Midnight Ride. We use a video article by Jazz of YouTube Channel @BlackGemsUnearthed , Neely Fuller Jr and video from @Simplehistory to add context.