Wanda's Picks

Maria Moore's sister Kayla Moore was killed by Berkeley police one year ago today at the Gaia Building in Berkeley where Kayla lived at the time of her death. A vigil and speak-out are planned this afternoon and evening to commemorate this tragic injustice. Kayla Moore was a transgender woman of color living with schizophrenia who died when Berkeley police entered her apartment in response to a crisis call and forcefully attempted to arrest her on what they knew to be a false warrant. Maria Moore was born and raised in Berkeley, with her sister Kayla (Xavier) and their father. The women grew up on Dohr St, with their grandparents who lived across the street. Maria just turned 40, and Kayla would have been 42 this year. Kayla had been suffering from mental illness at a very young age, and Maria and her father tried their best to protect her. Currently Maria lives in Oakland, with her boyfriend and daughter.  The photos are of Kayla is holding her niece. Info: Berkeley Copwatch at 510-548-0425 or www.berkeleycopwatch.org We open with an interview with Margaret Avery, Academy nominated actress for her role as "Shug" in Speilberg's The Color Purple. She was here @ the Castro Theatre in San Francisco.

Maria Moore's sister Kayla Moore was killed by Berkeley police one year ago today at the Gaia Building in Berkeley where Kayla lived at the time of her death. A vigil and speak-out are planned this afternoon and evening to commemorate this tragic injustice. Kayla Moore was a transgender woman of color living with schizophrenia who died when Berkeley police entered her apartment in response to a crisis call and forcefully attempted to arrest her on what they knew to be a false warrant. Maria Moore was born and raised in Berkeley, with her sister Kayla (Xavier) and their father. The women grew up on Dohr St, with their grandparents who lived across the street. Maria just turned 40, and Kayla would have been 42 this year. Kayla had been suffering from mental illness at a very young age, and Maria and her father tried their best to protect her. Currently Maria lives in Oakland, with her boyfriend and daughter.  The photos are of Kayla is holding her niece. Info: Berkeley Copwatch at 510-548-0425 or www.berkeleycopwatch.org We open with an interview with Margaret Avery, Academy nominated actress for her role as "Shug" in Speilberg's The Color Purple. She was here @ the Castro Theatre in San Francisco.

Dr. Siri Brown, Ache Lytle & Mama Naomi Diouf join us to talk about a recent grant the Department of African American Studies at Merritt College received which took them and other educators to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. There is a reportback tomorrow at Merritt College 10-12 where the educators will share curriculum developed during the intensive month long Fulbright project which looked at, Culture as Power: Teaching Afro-Brazilian History, Politics, and Culture--A Curriculum Development Project for Community College and High School Educators. The project reflects African American Studies’ deep-seated commitment to providing access to a global Pan African education for undeserved, students of color and it offers educators opportunity for professional and curriculum development and consisted of educators. Visit www.merrittafram.com Dr. Eugene B. Redmond, Poet Laureate of East St. Louis, Illinois (ESLI); Emeritus Professor of English, Founding Editor of Drumvoices Revue, and former Chairman of Creative Writing Committee at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, joins us from ESLI, to talk about the Black Arts Movement at almost 50 years and Malcolm X on the anniversary of his killing in 1965. Visit http://eugenebredmond.com/home/biography/

We close with a conversation about healing with Sister Omitola Akinwunmi, KuumbaKreates, Life By Divine Design - Azikiwe Health. She is a clinician who has completed Level 2 Kemetic Reiki which is being offered once again this weekend by Kajara Nia Yaa Nebthet who arrives this evening for a book talk at Wose House of Amen Ra, http://wosecommunity.org/

Dr. Siri Brown, Ache Lytle & Mama Naomi Diouf join us to talk about a recent grant the Department of African American Studies at Merritt College received which took them and other educators to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. There is a reportback tomorrow at Merritt College 10-12 where the educators will share curriculum developed during the intensive month long Fulbright project which looked at, Culture as Power: Teaching Afro-Brazilian History, Politics, and Culture--A Curriculum Development Project for Community College and High School Educators. The project reflects African American Studies’ deep-seated commitment to providing access to a global Pan African education for undeserved, students of color and it offers educators opportunity for professional and curriculum development and consisted of educators. Visit www.merrittafram.com Dr. Eugene B. Redmond, Poet Laureate of East St. Louis, Illinois (ESLI); Emeritus Professor of English, Founding Editor of Drumvoices Revue, and former Chairman of Creative Writing Committee at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, joins us from ESLI, to talk about the Black Arts Movement at almost 50 years and Malcolm X on the anniversary of his killing in 1965. Visit http://eugenebredmond.com/home/biography/

We close with a conversation about healing with Sister Omitola Akinwunmi, KuumbaKreates, Life By Divine Design - Azikiwe Health. She is a clinician who has completed Level 2 Kemetic Reiki which is being offered once again this weekend by Kajara Nia Yaa Nebthet who arrives this evening for a book talk at Wose House of Amen Ra, http://wosecommunity.org/

Today we speak to prisoner rights organizers Misty Rojo and Samantha Rogers about Justice Now and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners community event Sunday, February 23, 2014, 3-5 p.m., "Is Orange the New Black," with Piper Kerman, activist and author of Orange is the New Black. Joining Piper on the panel are our two guests this morning along with other activists. The panel will be moderated by Shanelle Matthews of ACLU of Northern California. The event is at the Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland: http://womenprisoners.org/  We conclude our show with a conversation with The Black Arts Movement & Its Influences conference Feb. 28-Mar. 2, at UC Merced, organizer Kim McMillon and presenter Genny Lim: http://ucmercedbamconference2014.com/ & http://blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com/2013/09/call-for-papers-university-of.html Music: WolfHawkJaquer's "Cowrie Shell," Eddie Gale's "African Sunrise" featuring Destiny Muhammad on harp; Dwight Tribble's "Little Africa," closing with Billy Harper's "Knowlege of Self" featuring Amiri Baraka.

Today we speak to prisoner rights organizers Misty Rojo and Samantha Rogers about Justice Now and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners community event Sunday, February 23, 2014, 3-5 p.m., "Is Orange the New Black," with Piper Kerman, activist and author of Orange is the New Black. Joining Piper on the panel are our two guests this morning along with other activists. The panel will be moderated by Shanelle Matthews of ACLU of Northern California. The event is at the Humanist Hall, 390 27th Street, Oakland: http://womenprisoners.org/  We conclude our show with a conversation with The Black Arts Movement & Its Influences conference Feb. 28-Mar. 2, at UC Merced, organizer Kim McMillon and presenter Genny Lim: http://ucmercedbamconference2014.com/ & http://blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com/2013/09/call-for-papers-university-of.html Music: WolfHawkJaquer's "Cowrie Shell," Eddie Gale's "African Sunrise" featuring Destiny Muhammad on harp; Dwight Tribble's "Little Africa," closing with Billy Harper's "Knowlege of Self" featuring Amiri Baraka.

TANIA SANTIAGO, the Artistic Director of Aguas Dance Company in "Movendo com Capoeira" Friday-Sat., Feb. 14-15 at 8pm and Sun., Feb 16 at 7pm. Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Tania Santiago grew up in the heart of African Brazil. In Brazil she has taught, danced, and choreographed for many well-known companies including Olodum, an arts group famous for its Carnaval parade performances and credited with developing the music style known as samba reggae. While her specialties are folkloric and contemporary Afro-Brazilian dance, Santiago is also conversant in jazz, ballet, West African, Afro-Cuban and modern dance forms. Santiago has resided in California since 1997, and has taught packed classes regularly at ODC School & Rhythm and Motion Dance Program since 2005. In 2001, Santiago received a three-year grant from the California Arts Council to teach young people throughout the San Francisco Unified School District. In addition, Santiago performs with her own company Aguas (formerly known as Aguas da Bahia), the Ramon Alayo Dance Company, and Deep Waters Dance Company. Santiago's choreography has also been performed by many local groups including Loco Bloco, Axe Abada, Kuumba, Quimbanda Grupo Carnavalesco, and Abada Capoeira. Each year in San Francisco, Santiago teaches a performance workshop in the Bahian Carnaval tradition. The workshop culminates in the annual Carnaval parade in May. Santiago also leads annual dance intensives in Salvador, Bahia as part of her cross-cultural work. Tickets available on line for $23 and at the door for $27 @ http://www.odcdance.org (415) 863-9834.

TANIA SANTIAGO, the Artistic Director of Aguas Dance Company in "Movendo com Capoeira" Friday-Sat., Feb. 14-15 at 8pm and Sun., Feb 16 at 7pm. Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Tania Santiago grew up in the heart of African Brazil. In Brazil she has taught, danced, and choreographed for many well-known companies including Olodum, an arts group famous for its Carnaval parade performances and credited with developing the music style known as samba reggae. While her specialties are folkloric and contemporary Afro-Brazilian dance, Santiago is also conversant in jazz, ballet, West African, Afro-Cuban and modern dance forms. Santiago has resided in California since 1997, and has taught packed classes regularly at ODC School & Rhythm and Motion Dance Program since 2005. In 2001, Santiago received a three-year grant from the California Arts Council to teach young people throughout the San Francisco Unified School District. In addition, Santiago performs with her own company Aguas (formerly known as Aguas da Bahia), the Ramon Alayo Dance Company, and Deep Waters Dance Company. Santiago's choreography has also been performed by many local groups including Loco Bloco, Axe Abada, Kuumba, Quimbanda Grupo Carnavalesco, and Abada Capoeira. Each year in San Francisco, Santiago teaches a performance workshop in the Bahian Carnaval tradition. The workshop culminates in the annual Carnaval parade in May. Santiago also leads annual dance intensives in Salvador, Bahia as part of her cross-cultural work. Tickets available on line for $23 and at the door for $27 @ http://www.odcdance.org (415) 863-9834.

Today we speak about violence against women and the need to address this in forums like 1 Billion Rising in Oakland tonight and Love Doesn't Hurt, tomorrow afternoon, Friday & Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, 2014. We are joined in the studio by amazing women creators and organizers: Luisah Teish, Mary Owen, Regina Y. Evans, Regina Jackson, Cheryl Chambers and Vanessa Scott. We open the show with an encore interview with actress and healer, Margaret Avery, Academy Award Nominee for her role as "Shug" in Spielberg's The Color Purple. She's in town as a special screening at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Next we have musician/composers Larry Douglas and Jorge Pineda on to talk Latin meets traditional Jazz re-arrangements at the 57th Street Gallery concert tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 15, 8:30 p.m. We close with an extended conversation with Nora Chipaumire's "Miriam," which opened last night at YBCA Forum for two more nights, tonight is an audience conversation following the hour long work. Presented by Black Choreographer's Festival: Here and Now, this work celebrates the tenth anniversary of a wonderful organization as it queries blackness and womaness and otherness as only a Chipaumire work can.

Today we speak about violence against women and the need to address this in forums like 1 Billion Rising in Oakland tonight and Love Doesn't Hurt, tomorrow afternoon, Friday & Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, 2014. We are joined in the studio by amazing women creators and organizers: Luisah Teish, Mary Owen, Regina Y. Evans, Regina Jackson, Cheryl Chambers and Vanessa Scott. We open the show with an encore interview with actress and healer, Margaret Avery, Academy Award Nominee for her role as "Shug" in Spielberg's The Color Purple. She's in town as a special screening at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Next we have musician/composers Larry Douglas and Jorge Pineda on to talk Latin meets traditional Jazz re-arrangements at the 57th Street Gallery concert tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 15, 8:30 p.m. We close with an extended conversation with Nora Chipaumire's "Miriam," which opened last night at YBCA Forum for two more nights, tonight is an audience conversation following the hour long work. Presented by Black Choreographer's Festival: Here and Now, this work celebrates the tenth anniversary of a wonderful organization as it queries blackness and womaness and otherness as only a Chipaumire work can.