Tangazo

Another in-depth political discussion on this week's episode of the KDHX podcast Tangazo. —— Adolphus Pruitt, long-time President, of the Stlouis city branch of the NAACP, along with Michael Wesly Jones of the Stlouis American and my broadcast partner, political insider Tim Person, joined me for a recap of this past Tuesday's primary elections in Stlouis City and County. —— There's a general feeling of disappointment that the turnout was so low in both the city and county. All agreed that Bush v Robert's, race for the Democratic nomination for the 1st Congressional District House seat was really over before it started. The race wasn't competitive as had been expected. ——— Nor was the race for the Stlouis County Council seat, in Stlouis counties 1st district, featuring Jennings Councilman Terry Wilson, attempting to defeat Stlouis County Council Chairman, Rita Heard Days. Wilson was thoroughly trounced in spite of receiving support from County Executive, Sam Page and his Democratic allies on the County Council. ——— The panel agreed, that Page's reaction to the primary outcomes was rather pathetic, suggesting that all Democrats should rally around defeating the Republicans, on the County Council, as if it were Republicans and not Democrats, that illegally conspired to deny Council Chairman Rita Days, her right to the chairmanship. ——— All agreed that Pages motivation, is simply to neutralize the two African American women on the council and their ability to work around the white Democrats on the council , when they deem it to be in the best interest, of the Black community in Stlouis County. -----

Broadcast colleague and politico Tim Person hosts another political discussion with a diverse group of candidates on the August 2nd, Missouri primary ballot. —— Social justice activist Coffee Wright, is campaigning statewide for the Democratic nomination in the race for the U S Senate. Wright placed second in her previous attempt to win the Democratic nomination for the Senate, losing to former Senator Claire McCaskill, who lost in the general election to ultra-right winger Josh Hawley. ——— Alan K. Green, a former Democratic Mo. State Representative, government official and retired St. Louis city police officer, is running unopposed in the August primary for Missouri State Auditor. Green faces an uphill battle to become the first-ever African American to win a statewide office, in the red state of Missouri. ——— Tangazo welcomed, St. Louis 21st ward Committee woman Laura McElrath Keys, to the KDHX podcast, to talk about her motivation for wanting to serve as Alderwoman of the iconic north side ward. ——— Keys hopes to serve out the balance of the term, replacing disgraced former alderman John Collins Mohammed, who resigned office after a federal indictment, for accepting bribes. Collins has since pleaded guilty to all charges. ———

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Produced by Sasha Hay for KDHX

Last night's episode of the KDHX podcast Tangazo focused on live theater in the St. Louis metro area. —— We begin with Ron Himes, the iconic founder and director of the magnificent St. Louis Black Repertory Company, discussing Dontrell Who Kissed the Seas, which debuted last week at the Edison Theater to rave reviews and runs through July 24th. —— Next up is Joe Hanrahan, artistic director for the Midnight Theater and Film company, talking about his play St. Louis Woman set to debut on October 6th, starring our very own Laka (Pronounced Lay-ka). Ron Himes and Joe Hanrahan, began their theatrical careers at the same time and have collaborated throughout their 40-plus years in theater in the St. Louis metro area. ——- Laka is set to make her stage debut in St. Louis Woman Hanrahan's play about black women singers who came from St. Louis, such as Josephine Baker, Tina Turner and Fontella Bass. —— Ours was a candid conversation of how the St. Louis Repertory Theatre company, once known as the Loretta Hilton in Webster Groves, differs from the St. Louis Black Repertory Company, in terms of their missions.

This episode of Tangazo is actually St. Louis theater 101.

Produced by Sasha Hay for KDHX

This week's episode of the KDHX podcast Tangazo is an acknowledgement of the 105th anniversary of the 1917 ESL Race Riots. ——-

Tim Person joins me in the KDHX studio for another in-depth discussion with a panel of descendants, of the 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot. ———

We are joined once again by former St. Louis Alderman, Terry Kennedy aka Kugiliwa and his twin brother, Dhati M. Kennedy, along with Anne Walker, as we continue our annual discussion, on the horrific events of death and destruction, that the East St. Louis African American community, suffered from murderous white mobs, in 1917. ———

Joining us for the first time, is JD Dixon, a former write-in candidate for mayor of Belleville, and organizer for the 2021 reparations rally, for descendants of the Race riots. ———

Mr. Dixon says that because of the destruction of black homes and businesses during the east side race riots generational wealth was lost and the descendants deserve reparations. ———

This is a very interesting discussion by people dedicated to making sure that the history of the 1917 East St. Louis Race Riot is acknowledged each year on July 2nd. ———

I'm feeling proud of the great panel that assembled last evening to record the KDHX podcast Tangazo. —— One misguided would-be leader, once referred to St. Louis county African American elected officials, recognizing their common responsibility as "tribal politics," I was astounded by that response from a well-respected black man, here in the 21st century! ——— The old notion that "white ice is colder than black ice" is still prevalent amongst some black leaders who claim to be so "woke" but will turn their backs on other black elected officials, who dare to stand up for the communities they represent. ——— Savvy St. Louis County Council Chairwoman, Senator Rita Heard Days, St. Louis County Council Vice Chairwoman, Shalonda Webb and Mo. State Senator Brian Williams, joined me last evening for some of the most interesting and insightful conversations, on the responsibilities of black elected officials, that I have had in a long time! ——— There was much discussion on the need for voter education on new state election laws heading into the November midterm elections. ——— We spent a lot of time talking about the importance of voters, especially black voters, having confidence in their elected officials and the disappointment that we all felt, for the recently indicted black officials in St. Louis city and county.

We spent most of our time talking about the collaboration between St. Louis County Council Chairman Days, Stlouis County Council Vice Chairman, Shalonda Webb and Mo. State Senator Brian Williams.

Their ability to work together has been a great benefit to St. Louis County, especially North St. Louis County. Senator Williams has helped secure close to 100 million dollars in funding for north county projects, including the demolition of the Jamestown Mall Complex, which will free up around one hundred forty acres, of prime land for development in far North County. A new north county recreational center and much-needed renovations to the campus of the UMSL are just some of the benefits, these 3 St. Louis County African American elected officials, are working on together for the betterment of St. Louis County, including North St. Louis County. Tribal politics indeed! ——-

Produced by Sasha Hay for KDHX

Great time in the studio last evening recording the kdhx podcast Tangazo!----

Broadcast friend Laka Pronounced Lay-ka, joins me for an insightful discussion about upcoming Juneteenth celebrations and the exciting play "Club Riviera!" -----

We're talking with Robert Green, event coordinator, for the Fairgrounds Park Juneteenth Freedom Fest, happening Sunday afternoon June 19th. Green is no doubt a visionary, who's annual African Arts Festival has grown to become one of the best in the country. He's betting on a huge turnout for his Fairgrounds park Juneteenth Celebration and hoping that it reminds African Americans, who have deserted north St. Louis, that it's time to come home to reclaim their black communities, before they are redeveloped and gentrified. -----

Freeman Word, is the playwright for "Club Riviera" which debuts at the Grandel Square Theater June 23-24. -----

The play tells the story of the powerful ward boss Jordan Chambers, who controlled black politics in St. Louis from 1944-1964.-----

His club Riviera, in the 4400 block of Delmar, attracted national acts both black and white and was one of a few venues that were open to African Americans, when white performers were on stage. -----

Chambers, was often referred to, as the black mayor of St. Louis. His club Riviera, also served as a meeting place where black leaders coordinated their plans for the betterment of the black community.-----

This play is brought to you by "A Call to Conscience," interactive theater for social change! -----

Tonight we celebrated the 100th episode, of the kdhx podcast Tangazo, with an awesome panel of super progressive social justice activist women , from across the country focused on the consequences of the upcoming November midterm elections. Reverend Stephanie T Wilkins, from Houston Texas and Beto O'Rourke's campaign for Governor of Texas, Alicia D Smith community organizer and elected official in Minneapolis, along with St. Louis Alderwoman Dr. Megan-Ellyia Green PhD. leader of the progressive movement in St. Louis, were my guest for this 100th episode of the kdhx podcast Tangazo. ——-

The panel discussed whether are not Roe V Wade was as some have referred to as a "white issue." All agreed that it was a freedom issue at its core and not a black are white issue. We all agreed that the upcoming November midterm elections will have tremendous impact on our American democracy and that there needs to be a sense of urgency amongst Democratic voters throughout the nation, with everything at stake pending outcomes of the November midterm elections. ———

This is indeed is one of the most interesting and important episodes of the kdhx podcast Tangazo. It was my privilege to host this panel discussion with this group of extraordinary women who have made service to their communities, their life's work. ———

A special thanks to Andy Heaslet, Andy Coco, producers Jon Valley, Sasha and the staff and management at kdhx for their support and help from the very beginning and throughout the last 4 years. ——

Thanks to Tangazo contributors, Tim Person, Darryl Gregory Gray and Michael Wesley Jones and a hundred are so guest without whom there would be no show, thank you all from the bottom of my heart! ——

Produced by Sasha Hay for KDHX

I'm not proud of the last episode of the KDHX podcast Tangazo. My sincere concerns for our country, for our democracy and for the well-being of African Americans across the nation, weighed heavily on my mind last evening. —— I had what I believed to be a great diverse panel, including retired print journalist, former interim managing editor of the St. Louis American Newspaper and a founding member of the GSLABJ, LS Lockhart. Along with Michael Wesley Jones, award-winning Senior editorial columnist for the St. Louis American Newspaper. ——— Lastly, we had former St. Louis Comptroller, Virvus Jones, father to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. ——— A great panel to discuss the impact overturning Roe vs Wade might have on our basic freedoms as Americans and the fact that Our Democracy is threatened across the board. —— Things got heated very quickly as I lost my patience with Virvus's position on just about everything, lol including the idea that black voters had no political power to which I argued that some 29 states are busy enacting laws to limit and control the black vote. ———

Michael Wesley Jones, sits in for Tangazo Host Hank Thompson, for this critical discussion on race matters, genealogy and possible responsibilities. ——— The Kistner family's shocking revelation of their great great grandfather's history of slaveholding was featured in this April 6th, River Front Times article, "Buried History." ——— Mike's discussion with the family is emotional, provocative and insightful. —— The personal impact on their lives and the responses from longtime friends and associates have opened up other challenges for the Kistner family. ———

Produced by Sasha Hay for KDHX