JUNETEENTH is the story shared today on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic⁠!

Juneteenth is a holiday rooted in the history of slavery in the United States, which lasted over 200 years.

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. However, in places like Texas, slavery continued for more than two years as enslavers ignored the order.

On June 19, 1865, after the Civil War had ended, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with federal troops and issued General Order No. 3, announcing that all enslaved people were free.

This day became known as Juneteenth.

Ladee Dred is the Featured Storyteller on Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic! Today's broadcast is an Echo from the Archives with Featured Storyteller LADEEDRED YESHEMEBET, who was born in ⁠Ladee Dred⁠ is the Featured Storyteller on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic!⁠ Today's broadcast is an Echo from the Archives with Featured Storyteller ⁠LADEEDRED YESHEMEBET⁠, who was born in Seattle, WA, and raised in Los Angeles, CA.  Her first performance started as a little girl in the church choir. Since then, she has appeared in movies such as Coming to America, Twins, and Roadhouse, among others. She has also appeared in Videos such as Michael Jackson’s "Dirty Diana" and in commercials for Yamaha. Ladee Dred recorded with Fabian Marley and Sizzla in Jamaica and has opened for Sanchez and Glenn Washington at the Hollywood Park Casino. Laddered has worked with many international recording artists such as BLACK UHURU, MICHIGAN & SMILEY, PATO BANTON, RAS MICHAEL, CHINNA SMITH, FULLY FULLWOOD, TONY CHIN, TONY BYRD, SUBA DREAD, ISSAC HAILE SELASSIE, just to name a few! In addition to the United States, Ladee Dred has toured and performed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Belize. Currently, Ladee Dred is in the Recording Studio Working on a new album, produced by Danny Moon & the AFRICA PROJECT, single titled "JAH WORKS MUST BE DONE” WITH "KOJO LION" for the upcoming Ghana Tour in March of 2017. And we honor her memory and contribution as she shares some of her music story on this Echo broadcast, today, Saturday, June 13th, 2026, 2 pm PST | 5 pm EST.Seattle, WA, and raised in Los Angeles, CA. 

Her first performance started as a little girl in the church choir. Since then, she has appeared in movies such as Coming to America, Twins, and Roadhouse, among others. She has also appeared in Videos such as Michael Jackson’s "Dirty Diana" and in commercials for Yamaha. Ladee Dred recorded with Fabian Marley and Sizzla in Jamaica and has opened for Sanchez and Glenn Washington at the Hollywood Park Casino. Laddered has worked with many international recording artists such as BLACK UHURU, MICHIGAN & SMILEY, PATO BANTON, RAS MICHAEL, CHINNA SMITH, FULLY FULLWOOD, TONY CHIN, TONY BYRD, SUBA DREAD, ISSAC HAILE SELASSIE, just to name a few! In addition to the United States, Ladee Dred has toured and performed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Belize. Currently, Ladee Dred is in the Recording Studio Working on a new album, produced by Danny Moon & the AFRICA PROJECT, single titled "JAH WORKS MUST BE DONE” WITH "KOJO LION" for the upcoming Ghana Tour in March of 2017. And we honor her memory and contribution as she shares some of her music story on this Echo broadcast, today, Saturday, June 13th, 2026, 2 pm PST | 5 pm EST.

Nethia Heyward is the Featured Storyteller on Radio Theatre For Your Soul! She is a native New Yorker, a NYU graduate, an Entrepreneur, and a Humorist who is equally hilarious and thought-provoking. Most importantly, she is also a Caregiver who still finds time to give more! Her story, titled “Telling itat 50, China to Hong Kong & more,” and if you’re a long-time listener, you heard part 1 of her story on May 28th back in 2022…yes, it’s been almost 4 years to date, and that story was simply titled “The China Story”.  Go back and listen anytime. And to the contact Featured Storyteller, Nethia Heyward, find her on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram @DatingAfter38.

Today's broadcast is an Echo from the Archives with Featured Storyteller S. Pearl Sharp! A working actress for over fifty years, she starred in the TV movies Minstrel Man, opposite Glynn Turman, and Hollow Image with Morgan Freeman, Robert Hooks and Dick Anthony Williams amongst others...during the 1960’s and 70’s, S. Pearl Sharp was part of New York City’s vibrant Black Arts Movement, studied acting in Harlem through the government’s “Poverty Program,” and was a member of esteemed novelist John Oliver Killens’ writing workshop, where she created her first play, "The Sistuhs" and published her second collection of poems. In 2013 she released an audio collection of five short stories titled "Uncertain Rituals" and we honor her memory and contribution as some of those stories are shared on this Echo broadcast. Additionally, we honor the memory of "Lawrence 'Lobace' Stoll, a valuable member of the Radio Theatre For Your Soul family, supporter of ALL things artistic and a dear friend. With his Drum & Bass in tow, he was the in-studio support for S. Pearl Sharp's original broadcast on June 11th, 2016, Season 1. Both of you are forever in our hearts with a story to remember!

Heather Ayers is the Featured Storyteller on Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic! A Midwesterner, living in New York City, Heather has been living her passion and now a veteran Broadway Actor ! You may know her from shows like, Our Town, Groundhog Day,  & A Little Night Music or on television in the series No Activity & Scandal. Born with parents who have a love of music and other genres of the arts, her profession seemed inevitable.  Her story, titled “Conquering this Town: An Actor’s Life Tour” shares some very significant & exciting moments in her life. Indeed, a genuine story shared.

To contact Featured Storyteller Heather Ayers, follow her on Instagram at @BreathofFreshAyers and please let her know that you heard her story on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul!⁠

Sekou Writes and Fee King are the Featured Storytellers on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers

Gather...Around the Mic!⁠ Fee King is an Artist, Entrepreneur, Author, NAACP nominated Playwright & Actoramongst many other gifts & blessings AND Mr. Sekou Writes also an Artist, Entrepreneur, Author, Day Trader, Marathoner & Stroke SURVIVOR amongst many other gifts & blessings! Together they run these NYC streets…literally they are running, Sekou Writes specifically has run over a thousand days and counting, including the most recent NYC marathon. Together, they are truly an inspiring example of actualizing optimum health, embracing their pivot through whatever challenges arise and & just loving each along the way!  

Their story titled “Recovery, Love & Running into Excellence” is about managing life.  To read about howintentional they are, check out their published books, including "Little Sekou’s 1st dollar", "Get Rich 101" & "Hack your Pain Now" by Featured Storyteller Sekou Writes…also books by Featured Storyteller Fee King, "Her-Story Unstuck" and "The Calvary Ain’t comin’ I get to save myself" all available on Amazon.com.

To contact Featured Storytellers Sekou Writes & Fee King directly, follow them on Instagram at @SekouWrites and @feesfitnessover40

Please let them know you heard their story on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul!⁠

Aziza aka Rev. Aziza⁠ is the Featured Storyteller on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic!⁠ a native New Yorker, a proud Harlemite, Harlem NYC. As a Foster Mom, Dancer, Choreographer, and ordained Interfaith Minister, her spirit of service extended to the Peace Corp as a volunteer.  A recipient of the Lillian B. Carter award, given to those volunteers specifically over the age of 50 who demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement and service, Aziza currently holds a position as Supervisor and Regional Manager for the Peace Corp.  Her story titled “A Space of Faith” is only a snippet of Featured Storyteller Aziza’s posture of humility and service.

 Featured Storyteller Aziza aka Reverend Aziza has an upcoming book titled “Fostering Faith” expected in 2026!  So, please find updates and additional information by putting her name in Google and if you happen to cross her path in person…perhaps in Harlem, please let her know you heard her story on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul!⁠

Byron C. Saunders⁠ is the Featured Storyteller on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic!⁠ He is an Arts Management Consultant, Actor, Director, Producer, Dramaturg, Radio Talk-Show Personality, Civil Rights Activist and so much more!

Featured Storyteller Byron C. Saunders story is titled “Legacy, Civil Rights & Show Biz” and it’s about his life thus far, his family history, the Civil Rights Movement and his navigation as an artist and all the related fields in show business.  It’s fascinating and what he has on the burner, including an upcoming Broadway production about civil rights activist, Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth" is definitely something to look forward to in the near future.

Featured Storyteller Byron C. Saunders can be reached via all social media platforms including:

⁠Facebook ⁠ Byron C. Saunders

Please let him know you heard his story on ⁠Radio Theatre For Your Soul!⁠

Alonzo LONZO Williams is the Featured Storyteller on Radio Theatre For Your Soul - Where Storytellers Gather...Around the Mic! This Echo from the Archives, titled "N.ot W.ithout A.lonzo" is a live interview from 2017 with the undisputed Godfather of West Coast Hip Hop Alonzo LONZO Williams! A Compton, CA native LONZO can boast an entertainment career spanning over 40 years. As a DJ, Record producer, & leader of The World Class Wreckin’ Cru, Lonzo is also credited with launching the careers of some of the most notable names in hip-hop, including N.W.A. (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, and Eazy E), Michel’le, DJ Battlecat, Rodney-O & Joe Cooley, The LA Dream Team, and Compton’s Most Wanted, amongst many more.

Featured Storyteller Alonzo LONZO Williams can be followed & contacted directly at the following:

Website: https://www.lonzowilliams.com/

Instagram: @reallonzonwa OR

https://www.instagram.com/reallonzonwa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonzowilliams/

Please let him know you heard his story on Radio Theatre For Your Soul!