Episode 196, of the Tangazo podcast is historical, we are proud to announce that for the first time, in the 200 year history of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, the African American community, has gained racial parity. ----

Newly elected 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi, brings the number of African American Alderpersons to 7, of the 14 member, St. Louis Board of Aldermen. -----

It gets better, 6th Ward Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez, a rising star on the board of aldermen,with obvious leadership qualities is Latino,making the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, a Majority Minority board for the first time,in the history of the City of St. Louis. -----

14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Lamont Aldridge, the only African American male on the board, joins Dr.Yusef Scoggin Delmar Divine CEO and your Tangazo host Hank Thompson, for an exclusive discussion on the new dynamics, of a Majority Minority St. Louis Board of Aldermen. -----

Tangazo Episode 195, was an excellent intergenerational discussion, originally planned as an African American community response to the death of right wing political activist and media personality Charles Kirk, cofounder of Turning Point, a conservative youth group, closely aligned with MAGA. -----

Tangazo Commentator Tim Person, does an excellent job as host for this multi dimensional,inter generational discussion, with Yusef Scoggin,CEO of Delmar Divine. ----

Tangazo Commentators Social Justice Activist, Reverend Darryl Gregory Gray and Political historian and Senior Editorial Columnist, St. Louis American Newspaper, Michael Wesley Jones. President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half staff following Kirk's death, an honor that wasn't afforded former President Jimmy Carter, winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. ----

Efforts were then made to stifle any negative comments regarding Charles Kirk," Cancel Culture", including the termination of late night talk host Jimmy Kimmel, for unflattering comments regarding the death of Charles Kirk. Several Airlines pilots and numerous private citizens were terminated and are suspended from their jobs for celebrating the death of Mr. Kirk, are posting negative comments on social media regarding the life and legacy of Charles Kirk. This is something that we as Americans,have never experienced, based on the US Constitution's first amendment, which guarantees Freedom of speech, which is the foundation of the American Democracy. -----

Mr. Kirk was shot and killed September 10th, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University, leaving a wife and two children. ---

The name Charles Kirk,didn't resonate with the vast majority in the black community, those who were familiar with him, rightly considered him racist, homophobic and xenophobic, based on numerous pronouncements made by Mr. Kirk,against black people, black women, immigrants and transgender people. Expecting anything else from black leadership and the black community, beyond perfunctory condolences,to his widow and family, was absurd to say the least. -----

Tangazo Episode 195, is a compelling thoughtful conversation,that touches upon the plight of African Americans, witnessing the destruction of the American Democracy,also expressing our collective thoughts, on the killing of Charles Kirk and its aftermath. -----

Tangazo 2 Episode 194, is brought to you in part by the St. Louis Black Repertory Theater Company. -----

I can't tell you how proud we are at Tangazo, to be supported by the legendary Ron Himes, founder and Director The St. Louis Black Repertory Theater Company, St.Louis's premier Black Cultural institution. -----

Episode 194, is a delightfully entertaining discussion of the Black Repertory's 49th season opener Rasin, a musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's,iconic play A Rasin in the Sun ,which premiered on Broadway in 1959. ------

The play explores themes of the "American Dream," identity and the struggles of a deferred dream, drawing its title from Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem". Hansberry's play was the first to be produced on broadway by a Black woman and remains a relevant, celebrated and frequently work in American Theater. ------

Joining us in the Delmar Divine studio to discuss Rasin, were St. Louis natives , Robert McNicoles and singer Anita Michelle Jackson, who plays the matriarch of the Younger family, Lena Younger. -----

Jazz Diva Denise Thimes, assumes the role of Lena Younger, in a special performance for one night only, tonight Friday, September 12th. ------

We had a great time talking with McNicoles and Jackson about their careers as musicians and actors. -----

McNicoles is a cellist, who teaches music at Morehouse University. -----

Anita Michelle Jackson is a Jazz Vocalist, who is a graduate of The American and Dramatic Academy and has performed nationally and internationally in theater productions, concerts and workshops. -----

Both actors are excited to be reunited with Black Rep founder and Director Ron Himes, with leading roles in the Black Reps, 49th season opener Rasin, at the Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. ------

The 193rd episode of Tangazo, featured a deep dive into critical issues facing St. Louis City, County and the region as a whole, with special guests STL County Council Chairman,RitaDays and Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez, representing the 6th Ward of STL City. -----

Urban areas in Missouri, are especially impacted if not indeed threatened, by both federal and state efforts, to reduce their representation in government and their authority to govern the areas they were elected to represent. -----

The state's take over of the StLouis Police Department and Republica Governor Kehoe's,call for a special session to consider redrawing Congressional districts, with the intent of eliminating a Democratic Congressional district,are unfortunate examples of the difficulties, that local urban elected officials must now face. -----

St. Louis City faces unprecedented challenges resulting from the May 16th tornado, that was devastating to many areas of North St. Louis. Newly elected Mayor Cara Spencer, has initiated a new department to deal with the aftermath of the tornado. -----

Congressman Wesley Bell, who lost the city while ousting incumbent Cori Bush-Merritts, must step up with a new vision,for the rebuilding of North St. Louis, are he will no doubt lose St, Louis City again, when running for reelection next year, because he will be running on his record this time around. -----

Congressman Bell,would have been better served,by hosting his first town hall in North St. Louis, to bring hope and attention,to the dire plight of the victims of the May 16th. devastating tornado. His attempt to serve "Status Quo," by holding his first town hall meeting in downtown StLouis, was a complete fiasco that drew national attention and embarrassment! -----

This 193rd episode of Tangazo is dedicated to the memory of, Tangazo commentator Attorney Charles Kirksey, may he forever rest in peace. -----

Tangazo2 episode 191, with special guest Delmar Divine CEO, Dr.Yusef Scoggin MD. discussing the role of "Public Private Partnerships," in the redevelopment of North St. Louis. ----

Tangazo commentators, politicos Tim Person and Michael Wesley Jones, joined host Hank Thompson and Dr. Scoggin, in the Delmar Divine podcast studiofor a rousing intergenerational discussion, on involving private corporations in the restoration, of the north side of St. Louis City. --

It was agreed that St.Louis needs a comprehensive redevelopment plan for north St.Louis, following the devastating May 16th tornado that damaged and destroyed thousand of homes and businesses, throughout the city's central and north side communities. -------

Tangazo 2 Episode 190th was hosted by Tim Person who was joined by Attorneys Rodolfo Rivera and Marlene Saurez where we delve into the issue of immigration and the current administration's deportation policies. Attorney Saurez is a practicing attorney in Fairview Heights, IL where she offers immigration and other legal services. Rivera is an expert in mitigation and international law. Both bring their uniquely different experiences and skill sets dealing with the immigration issues from both personal and professional perspectives. Both attorneys are Hispanic whose linkages are from different countries.

Excellent Tangazo episode 188 as hosted by Social Justice Activist, the Reverend Darryl Gregory Gray, with special guests, LaKricia Cox, Executive Director of the St.Louis Regional Office, of The American Red Cross and Bishop Michael Robinson,of Hope Nation International Church. ----

Reverend Gray and Bishop Robinson, are both members of the clergy group," Spirit of St.Louis Task Force."

Gray talks about the spirit of cooperation that is being demonstrated throughout the metro area,by various clergy groups and the faith community in general. Community and social service organizations,business leaders and elected officials, combining their efforts to bring relief to the victims, of the May 16th tornado,that left thousands of people, in desperate need,of food clothing and shelter.

Miss Cox, details the services provided by the American Red Cros, to include shelter,financial assistance, emergency and other supplies and resources as needed. -----

Bishop Robinson, speaks almost reverently about how the faith community,responded immediately to victims of the devastating tornado. -----

His church Hope Nation,took over an intersection and began feeding people in a

condemned building. -----

Bishop Robinson says,"it is the duty,of the faith community, to serve people in need wherever they are found."

You will find the 188th episode of Tangazo both interesting and informative as hosted by, Social Justice Activist, Reverend Darryl Gregory Gray of Greater Fairfax, Missionary Baptist Church. ----

Tangazo 2 is recorded at Delmar Divine and can be found on apple and Spotify podcast platforms.

Episode 187 of Tangazo, attempts to describe what, "Recovery" of North St.Louis might look like in years to come. -----

Charles Jaco, award winning broadcast journalist, joined Tangazo commentators, Political consultant Tim Person and St.Louis American award winning Sr. Editorial Columnist, Michael Wesley Jones,along with your Tangazo host Hank Thompson, for a lively and engaging conversation, on the aftermath of the May 16th tornado, that struck St.Louis. -----

Ours was a compelling discussion, on what needs to be done to revitalize, the north side of St. Louis, following the May 16th, tornado that destroyed some five thousand homes and businesses, mostly located in North St.Louis. -----

We all agreed that there isn't a "one size fits all" definition of what "recovery" means, in this context and that revitalizing the north side of the city, has not been a priority for several decades,as the area continued to decline.----- The May 16 tornado, has forced city leaders, state and federal officials,to look at what needs to be done to make the Northside, a viable part of St. Louis city, once again. -----

We concluded with the agreement that "recovery" of North St. Louis, involves much more than restoring structures,that were destroyed by the May 16th, tornado. ----

Tangazo can found on Spotify and Apple podcast platforms.