The Great Migration took place starting in the 1910’s and lasted until the 1970’s. Approximately 6 million Black folks moved from the American South to the Northern, Midwest and Western states, shaping the modern-day cities we know and love today, namely Oakland.

Join this live conversation as I discuss these experiences through the lens of Black California, specifically with first, second and third generation Bay Areans.

This conversation took place on September 30, 2023 at the West Oakland Cultural Action Network’s Land is Liberation Festival in the Storytelling Pavilion.

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Support the Following Work:
Dr. Mariama Smith Gray - The Great Migration Study - https://www.csueastbay.edu/news-center/experts/gray-mariama.html

Rashida Chase: Artist Resistance in Residence (link)

West Oakland Cultural Action Network: https://www.thewocan.org/

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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com

Welcome to Chapter 20 of the StoryNoir podcast. This is a part of a series of conversations with the artists from UC Berkeley’s Sounds Underground Talent Showcase.

Take a listen as we explore mental health, understanding the boundlessness of our own creativity and taking a bit of inspiration from our environment and lived experiences.

Sonny represents Hip Hop with his rhyme schemes, content, delivery and punchlines. He strives to become the artists that inspired him.

Support Sonny’s Work: @Sonny.Souf

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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com

Join this conversation as Dorothy Lazard discusses her debut novel, What You Don’t Know Will Make a Whole New World (2023). Miss Dorothy is a retired Oakland Librarian with a story that spans in the early days of The Great Migration in the 1960’s. The ever changing landscape of Oakland calls for the preservation of personal narratives to show the rich history that remains rooted in the fabric of the culture.
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Support Dorothy Lazard’s Work: https://dorothylazard.com/

This Librarian Holds the Keys to Oakland's History (link) - KQED article by Rightnow-ish’s Pen Hardshaw

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Instagram: @StoryNoir

Website: Storynoir.com

Welcome to Chapter 18 of the StoryNoir podcast. This is part of conversations with the artists from UC Berkeley’s Sounds Underground Talent Showcase. Today I’ll be in conversation with Farbod (@MyNameisFarbod).

What does sunshine embodied look like? Look no further than Farbod Mirodani, a force to be reckoned with as a corporate lawyer turned musician. From attending Berkeley Law to then performing at Zellerbach Hall 20 years later, Farbod tells his story of resilience and transformation as he’s come out in so many aspects.

From juggling the Big 3, “Doctor, Engineer or Lawyer,” he chose the law route, but didn’t feel quite fulfilled as he lived the dreams of others. Today, he’s found a blend between the two worlds of passion and career, as he trailblazes his own path along the way.

Support Farbod’s Work: https://www.instagram.com/mynameisfarbod/

Reflection (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/track/40C226gL2NkCNjgPiHj6da?si=5ef00f2913ee4dc2

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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com

Welcome to Chapter 17 of the StoryNoir podcast. I’ll be reading “Tongues of Fire: Learning Critical Affirmation” from Sister of the Yam by bell hooks.

Description of the text: This chapter distinguishes between the harsh critiques people give one another, which may contain 'truth', and liberating truth-telling, they are not the same. It examines whether people are really dedicated to truth-telling when they are exposing something about someone else. Harsh criticism, with a truth-telling component, is often a major characteristic of black mother-and-daughter relationships. Since many black women were and still are raised in households where most of the love and affection people receive comes from black women elders, mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who may also use criticism in a verbally abusive way, the may come to see such a practice as a caring gesture. Most black women know what it is like to bear the brunt of brutal tongue-lashings. Most of people have been told the 'truth' about themselves in ways that have been hurtful and humiliating.”

Source: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9781315743165-3/tongues-fire-bell-hooks?context=ubx&refId=ce58d474-0699-4be5-a137-c26448de797e

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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com
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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement was intended. This reading was done under the assumption of fair use for entertainment and educational purposes. Thank you.

Navigating our own identity and the journey to self-love can be long when searching for purpose. Igniting the elements of who one truly is can take lifetimes, but Toccara N. Steele, Foundress of Vault of Steele Consulting and Publishing International, is an Identity Architect. She works with underestimated and highly successful clients through their own journey while being authentic and open with hers. Additionally, she is a 12-time author who works with Christian entrepreneurs to build books, businesses, brand and themselves.

I met Toccara in 2021 and ever since then, she’s been a cheerleader, from all the way in Omaha, Nebraska. She speaks to me about her roots in Chicago and the ways her own family history has shaped her today. This episode is powerful and full of spirituality and the power of prayer. Toccara is a force to be reckoned with.

Support Toccara’s Work:
https://www.yourauthorsauthority.com/
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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com

Welcome to Chapter 15 of the StoryNoir podcast. I’ll be reading “Peach Cobler” from The Secret Lives of Church Ladies (by Deesha Philyaw. Check out Deesha’s work deeshaphilyaw.com & @deeshaphilyaw
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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com
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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement was intended. This reading was done under the assumption of fair use for entertainment and educational purposes. Thank you.

Welcome to Chapter 14 of the StoryNoir podcast. This is part of conversations with the artists from UC Berkeley’s Sounds Underground Talent Showcase. Today I’ll be in conversation with Tristan Marcelle. She’s self-described as an R&B singer and songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky.

Listen into our conversation as we talk about identity, finding our voices and shining while doing it!

Support Tristan’s Work:
@TristanMarcelle
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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com

Welcome to Chapter 13 of the StoryNoir podcast. I’ll be reading “Grandma’s Baby” & “Coco Butter Baby” by Krystaelynne S. Diggs, an author I recently discovered. Check out Miss Krystaelynne’s other work online (@AllThingsDiggs).
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Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com
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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement was intended. This reading was done under the assumption of fair use for entertainment and educational purposes. Thank you.

Welcome to Chapter 12 of the StoryNoir podcast. This is part of conversations with the artists from UC Berkeley’s Sounds Underground Talent Showcase.

Gr8tness, an artist / rapper from Richmond, California. Take a listen as we explore mental health, navigating school and creative expression. You'll also get a sneak peek at some of his music.

Support Gr8tness’ Work:
@TheyDontKnowAnt

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Say hello:
Instagram: @StoryNoir | Website: Storynoir.com