The Chocolate Scoop

“The Chocolate Scoop”TM Podcast #16 “Rockin’ with the Role and Rollin’ with the Rock” Two Black Theater Veterans speak About Their Reversed Migration Creative Journey from New York to North Carolina Recorded June 7, 2026 Copyright 2026  All Rights Reserved

Tennessee Native, Byron Saunders and Philadelphia Native, Elizabeth Flax Branch made names for themselves as top notch Theater Artists in New York City well-over three decades ago.  As Director, Actor, Dramaturg, Producer, Instructor, roles that they have both excelled in one will find that their resumes are New York City fattened.  

So one would ask both Byron Saunders, Actor, Director, Producer, Playwright, Stage Manager, Civil Rights Activist, and Radio Host, and Elizabeth Flax Branch Producer, Director, Actor (Stage, Television, and Film), Voice Artist, Educator, Visual and Graphic Design Artist, why they left the bright lights in New York for the Arts Scene in North Carolina?  Hmm?  What gives?  Why the Reversed Migration?

In this the 16th episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast, Producer/Host Nikki Williams is not going to give away the answers in this podcast description.  You will have to listen to the podcast to hear about their passionate, exciting, successful, and yes, challenging lives as Veteran Members of Black Theater.  When things are going great, you happily and joyfully take that script and “Rock with the Role,” but when you face the inevitable rocky challenges that are part and parcel of the up and down business of Film and Theater, especially if you are a Black Artists working on set and stage, you just gonna haveta “Rock with the Roll.”

Either way, in high water or drought, Elizabeth Flax Branch and Byron C. Saunders’ Passion for the Theater Arts have never run dry.  As they did in New York, both have found blooming seasons spilling over, and sweet success in North Carolina.  Neither being a Native New York, they are doing what a lot of what those who were part of the Great Migration have done – leaving New York to go back Down South.  Doing what most Black Folk are known to do and that is to “Keep it Movin’ “  Without giving too much away, this episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast promises that he listen will find this to be a captivating conversation that is sure to uplift, inspire, and motivate.  New York and Winston Salem North Carolina, as well as Greensboro North Carolina, have green grass. Both Byron C. Saunders and Elizabeth Flax Branch have learned to roll back the Rock and blossom where they stand!

 - Nikki Williams

Producer/Host

Copyright 2026  All Rights Reserved

“The Chocolate Scoop” TM podcast

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 “The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #10 “Heart to Art” - A Divine Dialogue Between Dad and Daughter Creatives March 29, 2026

Sharing more than just genetics.  Sharing more than their last names.  Multi-GRAMMY®-nominated Saxophonist, Composer, Bandleader, Educator and Producer, Bobby Watson and Award-Winning Physical and Digital Artist Developer, Educator, and AR Content Creator, Lafiya Watson, share their laughter, love, and lives with Nikki Williams, Producer/Host of “The Chocolate Scoop.”   From temperaments to tendencies, tastes to talents, testimonies to truths, both Watsons offer the listener a rare and tender glance and glimpse of their special Dad and Daughter relationship.

Episode #10 of “The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast is a humorous, thoughtful peak into the precious Dad/Daughter memories of two genius creators and innovators as well as their artistic philosophies and experiences. Daughter Lafiya Watson has successfully worked with tech teams to explore AR and immersive technology to working with seniors learning digital literacy, making complex technology feel approachable.  Dad, Bobby Watson, has for more than four decades contributed consistently to intelligent, sensitive, and well thought out music to the modern-day jazz lexicon. While both Watsons are accomplished Artists are very devoted to their craft, it is evidently clear in this conversation that they each place above everything else, the unconditional Love and unbreakable bond that the relationship of Dad and Daughter has Gifted them.  

Being a Girl Dad and a Dad’s Girl is a Blessing.  In this first-time recorded “Heart to Art” conversation between Gifted Creatives Bobby Watson and his first-born child and daughter Lafiya Watson, we get to hear an audio Love Letter that reminds each of us that Love and Family is indeed the Greatest Gift of All.  

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"The Chocolate Scoop" Podcast #7 "The Rhythm and Rhyme Of It All" - Music and the Shaping of Black Manhood

Recorded March 1, 2026

Join Producer/Host Nikki Williams as she is reunited with former Bronx Writers Corp members Mr. Azekiwe Providence and Mr. Steven Sapp. Mr. Providence is a Photographer, Performance Poet, Documentarian, Educator, and Community Curator. Mr. Sapp is a Writer, Poet, Director, Performance Artist and Co-founder of two organizations: "The Point" and "UniVerses."  

In this in-depth and extended discussion, both guests share their thoughts on how music, in particular, Rap and Hip Hop, informed and shaped their understanding of Black Manhood back in the early days of the music genre's inception.  Like Rap and Hip Hop, both Artists were raised in the Bronx with Fathers who heavily influenced their sense and style of Artistry. 

https://www.thechocolatescoop.net In addition to being Educators and Practicing Artists, Mr. Providence and Mr. Sapp, speak about their personal strategies of how they look to reach today's young up and coming Artists.

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Join Producer/Host Nikki Williams as she is reunited with former Bronx Writers Corp members Mr. Azekiwe Providence and Mr. Steven Sapp. 

Mr. Providence is a Photographer, Performance Poet, Documentarian, Educator, and Community Curator. Mr. Sapp is a Writer, Poet, Director, Performance Artist and Co-founder of two organizations: "The Point" and "UniVerses."  

In this in-depth and extended discussion, both guests share their thoughts on how music, in particular, Rap and Hip Hop, informed and shaped their understanding of Black Manhood back in the early days of the music genre's inception.  Like Rap and Hip Hop, both Artists were raised in the Bronx with Fathers who heavily influenced their sense and style of Artistry.  

In addition to being Educators and Practicing Artists, Mr. Providence and Mr. Sapp, speak about their personal strategies of how they look to reach today's young up and coming Artists.

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"The Dreams Eye See" - A vibrant vocalizing of Visions with two veterans working in the visual medium (theater, film, photography). Join Producer/Host Nikki Williams Producer/Host of "The Chocolate Scoop," with her guests Ms. Barbara Chirinos, the Inaugural Artistic Director of the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts (CI&A) and the LaTonya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, and Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Photographer, Educator, Author, and Cultural Historian, Mr. Melvin McCray III, as they share Narratives and Knowledge about how their Visual Artforms, shaped their life-long Creative Dreams. 

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In this second episode of "The Chocolate Scoop", recorded on January 18, 2026, producer and host Nikki Williams welcomes a panel of distinguished guests to celebrate creativity and innovation in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The conversation revolves around the impact of education and community on personal growth, with each guest sharing their unique experiences growing up in diverse neighborhoods. They reflect on the changes in public education since the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision and discuss the importance of supportive mentors in their lives. The guests, including Dr. Kevin McGruder, Dr. Linda Michelle Barron, and Ms. Lorraine Corelley, emphasize the role of creativity in overcoming challenges and the significance of nurturing environments in fostering talent and resilience.

As the discussion unfolds, the guests share poignant memories of their childhoods, highlighting the cultural richness of their communities and the educators who inspired them. They also engage in a game Williams created that uses acronyms to create poems that reflect the theme of the show and that underscores the values of tenacity and empowerment. The episode culminates in a heartfelt exchange of poetic offerings, showcasing the guests' artistic talents and their commitment to uplifting others through their work. This episode is a celebration of the enduring spirit of creativity and the transformative power of education, resonating deeply with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Spirit in Sunset Productions  Copyright 2026  All Rights Reserved

Contact [email protected]  www.thechocolatescoop.net

http://www.thechocolatescoop.net

[email protected]

"The Chocolate Scoop" Podcast is a Cultural Arts series consisting of Theatrical and Literary Performances, Music and Art, News, and Interviews, Celebrating the Sweet Mocha-Middle, Melanin-Rich, Creative and Innovative Spirit of People of Color.  The podcast also provides a select calendar of cultural events held around the country.

 In this inaugural podcast recorded on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Nikki Williams, the Producer/Host of "The Chocolate Scoop" sits down with her very special guests Dr. Venis Wilder and Attorney Kevin S. Sylvan, to talk about their work and how they keep the Faith as medical and legal practitioners and creative beings.   

Both Dr. Wilder and Attorney Sylvan enjoy thriving practices, and both are successful artists in their own right.  Dr. Wilder was born and raised in the South and Attorney Sylvan was raised in the North.  What both have in common is their commitment to serving their communities as practitioners and artists.  In addition, Dr. Wilder and Attorney Sylvan will each share a selection from their original works of poetry. 

You can find out more about our guests at The Chocolate Scoop" website at www.thechocolatescoop.net.

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