"The Man in the Mirror Wakes Up in a Cold Sweat" is a “BROTHER-A-THON”TM - MARATHON PERFORMANCE OF POEMS, SONGS, DANCE MOVEMENTS, MONOLOGUES, PRAYERS/AFFIRMATIONS PRESENTED BY BLACK MEN IN THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY OF COLOR CELEBRATING THE BRILLIANCE AND, RESILIENCE OF BLACK MANHOOD INSPIRED BY THE SONG TITLES OF “THE GODFATHER OF SOUL,” JAMES BROWN AND “THE KING OF POP,” MICHAEL JACKSON Conceived and Directed by Nikki Williams

The event will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the Outdoor Stage of Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park located 679 Riverside Drive @ 145th Street in Harlem. New York 10031

For More Information CALL Spirit in Sunset Productions: (917) 675-7255 Landline/No Texting or Email [email protected]. Facebook and Instagram as well as visit their website: nikkiwilliamspreadinjamjoyandjive.com

Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park (212) 694-3633/34 and Facebook

“The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #17 “SistahSpeak on a Soul’s Solstice Summer Day” – Beth Turner, Founder of Black Mask Magazine Speaks with Nikki Williams, Producer/Host of "The Chocolate Scoop" about the Dream and the Journey Recorded June 21, 2026

The song was not made famous until the super group “Boyz II Men” made it into a hit song back in 1991. “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” originally heard in the now classic 1975 “coming of age” movie, “Cooley High,” would be the perfect backdrop song for episode #17 of the “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast.  After all, what better time to have a conversation about beginnings and endings then on the Summer Solstice - the first day of Summer?

In a revealing and riveting, and often time moving conversation, Nikki Williams, producer/Host of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast sits down with Creator and Innovator, Beth Turner, the Publisher, and Founder of the trail-blazing publication “Black Mask” magazine.

The brainchild of Beth Turner, 41 years ago, “Black Mask” magazine has gained iconic status and is a must-read for all involved in theater, and Black Theater in particular. 

Starting as a “kitchen table” newsletter with the late, great Producer and Director Mr. Woody King, of New Federal Theater fame, as its cover photo and feature article, the “Black Mask” blossomed and expanded into a successful subscription based enterprise with cover stories featuring such theater notables as Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Ntozake Shange, August Wilson, Larry Leon Hamlin, Mary Alice, James Earl Jones, and the Celebrity list of “Who’s Who” in Black Theater goes on and on.

Beth Turner is being honored at this year’s International Black Theater Festival held every year in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Covers from “Black Mask” magazine are part of an exhibition at FAMU, Florida A&M University running until the end of August 2026.  And Beth Turner has been commissioned to write a book on the history of contemporary Black Theater by the book publisher Routledge Publications.    Not bad for someone who 41 years ago, only had a “dollar and a dream!”

So, what does this have to do with the hit song, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday”? According to what Nikki Williams believes, “The Dream is only as Sweet as the Journey.” 

From kitchen table, to relying on a technical tool called a T-Square, the “precisioned pain” of cutting and pasting, the drudgery of xeroxing, long, long hours, deadlines, and the reality of having to scrape together nickels and dimes, there was miraculously, an underlying sweetness and innocence in the process-filled Journey.  A satisfaction in the belief that “Black Mask” was worth every bit of the sacrifice that Beth Turner made when she started the newsletter in 1984. 

For some, saying goodbye to the sweetness of the Journey can be as hard as the challenges faced along the way.  With the last issue already published and put to bed, Playwright, Theater Director, and Educator Beth Turner, Founder and Publisher of “Black Mask” Magazine shares with honesty and humor, her Journey through Triumph and Challenge.   Whether it was, or whether it was not, podcast #17, will let us know from Beth Turner’s Dreamed Journey, if it was indeed, “…. so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”

Nikki Williams

Producer/Host

“The Chocolate Scoop”

June 21, 2026

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“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

www.thechocolatescoop.net

“The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #15 “Jazz Vespers, and Jazz Consortiums, and Jazz Musicians, in Brooklyn, Oh My!” Nikki Williams in Conversation with Ms. Bonda Cunningham Celebrating Brooklyn as a Wonderland of Jazz during June, Black Music Month Recorded June 4, 2026

Had Dorothy been given the choice of going to Jazz Vespers at Emanual Baptist Church or an event at the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, maybe she would have chosen to do so instead of going to Oz.  And if Dorothy did decide to brave the Wicked Witch of Funding Cuts, and go on to Oz as intended, most likely, she would find most of the Cats swinging and performing in Oz anyway!

“Jazz Vespers, and Jazz Consortiums, and Jazz Musicians, in Brooklyn, Oh My! speaks to Brooklyn’s lasting dedication and love of Jazz Music.  Whether its Jazz Vespers at churches like Emanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, or the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, Ms. Bonda Cunningham works to keep the history and artform of Jazz, as well as her husband, the late great Jazz Bassist, Bob Cunningham’s legacy and music contributions, vibrant and thriving.

According to Bonda Cunningham, “Vespers” is a small, short religious service and Jazz is “… exquisite, something that comes from God.”  So it’s no wonder that being a member of Emanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, and a person who is also a member of the Jazz Vespers Committee as well as a member of the Central Jazz Consortium in Brooklyn, sees both memberships as a natural expression of devotion and love to her late husband, Bob Cunningham’s musical memory.

In this 90-minute discussion and on this 15th episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast, producer/host Nikki Williams celebrates June as Black Music Month by speaking with her guest about Bob, Brilliance, and Jazz.  Bonda Cunningham shares information about upcoming Jazz music events that will be held in Brooklyn, as well as the people and events that make Brooklyn a wonderland of Cultural Conservation. 

Bonda Cunningham, a one-time Harlem Homeowner, is no stranger to working with others to produce quality music programs for this is how she met her brilliant husband Bob Cunningham.  But Bonda has clearly found her place and space in Brooklyn’s Jazz Cultural Capital because it is where her husband Bob, and the brilliant and prolific Jazz Pianist, Mr. Randy Weston made their Musical Homes. 

Though you won’t be able to click the heels of your red ruby glass slippers together three times to get to this June’s Jazz Concerts held at Emanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn or the one being sponsored later in June by the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, you can, as Duke Ellington wrote, just “Take the ‘A’ train!”

 – Nikki Williams

    Producer/Host

    “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast

 [email protected]

www.thechocolatescoop.net

“The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #12 “The PJ's: Peanut Butter & Jelly Poetry & Jazz - A Natural Combination” A National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation Month Celebration April 26, 2026

“Like any good peanut butter on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, jazz should stick to the resonate roof of your Soul”

Two questions about game changing and earth-shaking world events: Whose idea was it to come up with the concept of putting peanut butter on one side of the bread and jelly on the other?  And who was the first person to spread a poem smoothly and sweetly on top of a Jazz riff?  Whatever the origins of peanut butter and jelly and poetry and Jazz – the PJ’s, are now a satisfying and natural combination.

          April is National Poetry Month.  It also shares its Spring days with the observance of Jazz Appreciation Month.  In this twelfth episode of “The Chocolate Scoop” podcast, Producer/Host Nikki Williams celebrates the sweet magical merging of both melodic muse and poetic music.  As its been proven both Jazz and Poetry in combination, create a stick to the Soul, roof raising Artform. 

Poetry and Jazz are complement each other for both thrive when tapped into the Gift of Improvisation.  To discuss this, Williams brings together practitioners of both Jazz and Poetry in an inspired conversation.  Hailing from Los Angeles, MsTmusze (Misty Muse) is an Honorary New Orleanian, Spoken Word and Performance Artist.  She is also a Multi-disciplined Artist who is the Inaugural Honoree of the Pan African Film Festival.  Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, Mr. Clifton Anderson is a Jazz Musician, Trombonist, Composer, Educator and Producer.  Anderson comes from Musical Royality: his uncle is Mr. Sonny Rollins, the ground-breaking, innovative Jazz Saxophonist.

This 90-minute episode circling around the concept of what Williams calls the natural concept and combination of the “PJ’s” as it pertains to Creatives in Business.   Some of the “PJ’s” discussed are the importance of: Perseverance and Joy, distinguishing between Peace and Jive, honoring both Place and Journey, and Determining and discerning Price and Judgement.  Giving Praise and Jubilation to the Ancestors for the privilege of being receivers as well as Messengers of God’s Gift and Grace is a threaded refrain resounding throughout the conversation. 

Many people agree that “The PJ’s: Peanut Butter & Jelly and Poetry & Jazz are a Natural Combination. Performance Poet MsTmusze and Jazz Composer and Trombonist Clifton Anderson are a natural creative pairing who more than capable of taking on this informative and timely conversation.

[email protected]

www.thechocolatescoop.net

 “The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #9 “Holding God in Her Throat” – Black Women Serving in the Clergy

March 22, 2026, Nikki Williams Producer/Host

Inspired by the deeply moving and reflective poem, “Our Grandmothers” written by Dr. Maya Angelou and her personal remembrances of her own Grandmother Mrs. Irene Ivey, whose deferred dream and life ambition was to serve God as a member of the Clergy, Producer/Host Nikki Williams embarks on a eye opening and highly personal Journey with Reverend Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro as Dr. DeCaro speaks about the Challenges and Triumphs of being a Black Woman Pastor. 

“Holding God in Her Throat,” a line from Dr. Maya Angelou’s magnificent poem “Our Grandmothers.” The poem is chorus threaded throughout with the words, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”  And those words are part of a Gospel Song that goes, “Like a tree that stands by the water, I Shall not be Moved.”  As Dr. Maya Angelou gives examples of how the stoic faith of Black Grandmothers are like a tree planted by the water, Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro recounts how she stayed tree stoic as she faced and stared down adversities, as well as how she looked openly into the gentle eyes of Grace.

An Award-Winning Professor, Author and Vocalist, Reverend Dr. DeCaro generously shares with “The Chocolate Scoop” listening audience, the importance of her Trust and Faith in the God of her Understanding, her personal Truth of what it means to be a Black Woman in the Clergy, as well as Inspirational Words of Wisdom through Song, Poetry and Personal Narratives.

Reverend Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro holds a PhD in Education.  She is an Ordained Minister. and Pastor of the People's Church located in New York.  She is an Award-Winning College Professor. a Billboard charted vocalist and the Author of “Finding Your Pie.”   Dr. DeCaro is also a contributing Author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” as well as the Author of the book “Speaking Now.”

www.thechocolatescoop.net

“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. 

www.thechocolatescoop.net

“The Chocolate Scoop” Podcast #9 “Holding God in Her Throat” – Black Women Serving in the Clergy

March 22, 2026, Nikki Williams Producer/Host

Inspired by the deeply moving and reflective poem, “Our Grandmothers” written by Dr. Maya Angelou and her personal remembrances of her own Grandmother Mrs. Irene Ivey, whose deferred dream and life ambition was to serve God as a member of the Clergy, Producer/Host Nikki Williams embarks on a eye opening and highly personal Journey with Reverend Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro as Dr. DeCaro speaks about the Challenges and Triumphs of being a Black Woman Pastor. 

“Holding God in Her Throat,” a line from Dr. Maya Angelou’s magnificent poem “Our Grandmothers.” The poem is chorus threaded throughout with the words, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”  And those words are part of a Gospel Song that goes, “Like a tree that stands by the water, I Shall not be Moved.”  As Dr. Maya Angelou gives examples of how the stoic faith of Black Grandmothers are like a tree planted by the water, Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro recounts how she stayed tree stoic as she faced and stared down adversities, as well as how she looked openly into the gentle eyes of Grace.

An Award-Winning Professor, Author and Vocalist, Reverend Dr. DeCaro generously shares with “The Chocolate Scoop” listening audience, the importance of her Trust and Faith in the God of her Understanding, her personal Truth of what it means to be a Black Woman in the Clergy, as well as Inspirational Words of Wisdom through Song, Poetry and Personal Narratives.

Reverend Dr. Michele Sweeting DeCaro holds a PhD in Education.  She is an Ordained Minister. and Pastor of the People's Church located in New York.  She is an Award-Winning College Professor. a Billboard charted vocalist and the Author of “Finding Your Pie.”   Dr. DeCaro is also a contributing Author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” as well as the Author of the book “Speaking Now.”

Michele Sweeting-D (@singteachrev

www.thechocolatescoop.net

[email protected]

“The Chocolate Scoop Podcast Episode #8 – “And So, Yet Shall They Speak” A Presentation during Women’s History Month

Nikki Williams, Producer and Host of “The Chocolate Scoop” is joined in an extremely informative and fact-packed conversation with Ms. Cheyney McKnight, Founder and Owner of “Not Your Momma’s History,” a firm that consults and aids museums, historical sites, historical societies, private businesses, etc. in developing specialized programming about slavery and the African experience within 18th and 19th century America.   

Ms. McKnight speaks with passionate conviction about the need to preserve, document, and share and chronical the everyday narratives and traditions of enslaved ancestors of African descent.  Ms. McKnight is very intentional in her mission and devotion to letting the voices of every enslaved ancestor that she learns about be given space to be heard and remembered.  The demoralizing and depredating realities of people of African descent who endured chatteled lives are not given the same attention of those who as Williams phrased the term, “Celebrity Ancestors,” – Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and the like.

“Not Your Momma’s History,” led by Ms. McKnight is a graduate of Simmons University and holds a bachelor’s degree in political history.  More information about “Not Your Momma’s History,” can be found on its social media pages as well as its YouTube channel which has over 200,000 subscribers and 5 million views. www.notyourmommashistory.com

“The Chocolate Scoop Podcast Episode #8 – “And So, Yet Shall They Speak” A Presentation during Women’s History Month

Nikki Williams, Producer and Host of “The Chocolate Scoop” is joined in an extremely informative and fact-packed conversation with Ms. Cheyney McKnight, Founder and Owner of “Not Your Momma’s History,” a firm that consults and aids museums, historical sites, historical societies, private businesses, etc. in developing specialized programming about slavery and the African experience within 18th and 19th century America.   

Ms. McKnight speaks with passionate conviction about the need to preserve, document, and share and chronical the everyday narratives and traditions of enslaved ancestors of African descent.  Ms. McKnight is very intentional in her mission and devotion to letting the voices of every enslaved ancestor that she learns about be given space to be heard and remembered.  The demoralizing and depredating realities of people of African descent who endured chatteled lives are not given the same attention of those who as Williams phrased the term, “Celebrity Ancestors,” – Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and the like.

“Not Your Momma’s History,” led by Ms. McKnight is a graduate of Simmons University and holds a bachelor’s degree in political history.  More information about “Not Your Momma’s History,” can be found on its social media pages as well as its YouTube channel which has over 200,000 subscribers and 5 million views. www.notyourmommashistory.com

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