Wanda's Picks

January is Sexual Trafickking Awareness Month. 

Sharan Dhanoa, Director of Strategic Development for the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, joins us to talk about this public health emergency that flies to low on the radar, no one is aware of the danger our young Black and Brown girls and boys face. She has organized a series of conversations for the public to educate us about the problem, who's at risk and what can be done to stop it.

Sharan facilitates collaboration amongst over thirty-five member agencies. In May 2014, she began facilitating the largest multi-county workgroup in the Bay Area, No Traffick Ahead, which is unifying efforts in eight counties in order to effectuate collective impact across sectors. Prior to joining the Coalition, Sharan worked with women trafficked into sexual exploitation in Calcutta, India, by aiding their development through economic empowerment. She started her career in crime research, has worked in crime surveillance, and in an emergency psychiatric facility. Sharan holds a Master’s degree in Criminology from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law. Sharan was awarded “2015 Abolitionist of the Year” for Advocacy by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, the "Unsung Hero Award" by the County of Santa Clara Valley in 2015, and the South Asian Bar Association’s “Community Impact Award” in 2016.  

2. We speak to the newly elected Mayor Ge'Nell Gary, City of Albany

3. C. SADE TURNIPSEED MBA/MS/PhD joins us to talk about the Cotton Pickers Museum and other projects that honor the legacy of enslaved Africans and their descendents.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 

We speak to Benji Carver, programmer, about the 17th Annual Hole in the Head Film Festival Dec. 11-27, 2020 via Eventive.org and Zoom.us. W speak about several films with themes related to African and African Disapora interests and films with SF Bay area directors. 

The festival will once again bring the freshest new independent genre films from around the world to San Francisco audiences. The festival will include over forty feature films, and over 250 short films - all available on demand through Eventive. Selected content will also screen live on Zoom during special weekend shows, featuring audience Q&As with the filmmakers.

Tickets are $10; a full pass is $125, ten film pass is $75 and five film pass is $40. There are also numerous free programs. For all festival information, visit https://ahith2020.eventive.org/welcome.

Music: Zion Trinity and Nana Sula: Humanity and The Ancient Mothers

Today we speak to co-editors of Colossus: HOME (2020), Sara Biel and Karla Brundage 

colossuspress.org

Sara Biel is a poet, visual artist, and social worker. Her work combines original text with different art materials. She is passionate about collaborative art and performance processes, and focuses on art as a medium for building community. Sara’s work has been featured in Oakland’s Moondrop productions and sPARKLE & bLINK. She is the editor of Colossus: Bay Area Poets Challenge Immigration Injustice, Sara and Karla Brundage collaboratively edited Colossus:Home

Karla Brundage is a Bay Area based poet, activist, and educator.  Born in Berkeley, California in the summer of love to a Black mother and white father, Karla spent most of her childhood in Hawaii where she developed a deep love of nature. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee and  the founder of West Oakland to West Africa Poetry Exchange (WO2WA) and is a board member of the Before Columbus Foundation. http://westoaklandtowestafrica.com/ as well as on https://www.karlabrundage.com/ 

2. Silicon Valley Dance Festival rebroadcast

Music: Zion Trinity; Imani Coppola

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 

1. Ms. Adrian Williams, The Village Project presents: Kwanzaa 2020

2. Rebroadcast "Sweet Dreams;" "House of Matter" opened Dec. 2013.

The Great Conjunction: Dec. 21, the union of Jupiter and Saturn 

https://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/blog/great-conjunction/

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 

1. As they push the Alameda County DA, Nancy O'Malley to reopen the case of Oscar Grant who was shot Jan.1, 2009 as he was detained and bound on the platform-- and charge Head Officer at the time, Anthony Pirone with "felony murder." Also the community is asked to call the BART Board and ask that "underlying documents from law firm Myers Nave be released to Grant's family. Uncle Bobby X, Rev. Wanda Johnson, Sis. Elaine Brown, Hon. Walter Riley, Brother Abdus Sabur Muhammad join us this morning.

To stay abreast of issues visit: https://www.lovenotbloodcampaign.comand https://oscargrantfoundation.org/

2. Rebroadcast Dec. 11, 2020 show: Robert Moses, Sidra Bell and Babatunji Johnson, all of whom are involved in the Silicon Valley Dance Festival 2020.

Featured poet: Mama C

We speak to Benji Carver, programmer, about the 17th Annual Hole in the Head Film Festival Dec. 11-27, 2020 via Eventive.org and Zoom.us. W speak about several films with themes related to African and African Disapora interests and films with SF Bay area directors. 

The festival will once again bring the freshest new independent genre films from around the world to San Francisco audiences. The festival will include over forty feature films, and over 250 short films - all available on demand through Eventive. Selected content will also screen live on Zoom during special weekend shows, featuring audience Q&As with the filmmakers.

Tickets are $10; a full pass is $125, ten film pass is $75 and five film pass is $40. There are also numerous free programs. For all festival information, visit https://ahith2020.eventive.org/welcome.

Free Preview on Zoom tomorrow night starting at 6 pm.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KyiIe2_cSW-Y_Mcd18wHOg  We'll be screening trailers and speaking briefly with each of the filmmakers in attendance. These are always a lot of fun, so I hope you can join us as well.

Music: Zion Trinity and Nana Sula: Humanity and The Ancient Mothers

Babatunji Johnson was born in Portland, Oregon but raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. He received his formal dance training from Center Stage Dance Studio and the University of Hawaii in Hilo before moving to San Francisco to train at the LINES Ballet Training Program on full scholarship. Currently, he is a dancer with Post:Ballet and SFDanceworks in San Francisco.

Sidra Bell Dance New Yorkis rapidly gaining an international profile for work that reveals aspects of the human condition through a distinctly female lens. The Company has performed extensively throughout the USA, Europe, Canada, and South America. Bell’s process is intuitive, collaborative, and emphasizes the integration of multiple design elements and languages. Her work combines design, media, and fashion creating a singular vision in contemporary dance.

Robert Moses’ KIN's mission is to produce work that speaks to what is specific and unique in human nature. Robert Moses' KIN uses movement as the medium through which race, class, culture and gender are used to voice the existence of our greater potential and unfulfilled possibilities.  Moses' focus on the expressiveness of the human body and his desire to speak with the voices of his African American heritage have produced works with regional, national and international recognition.

We close with a treat from the Archives circa 2012.

1. Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi is a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist who recently made his transition Sept. 22, 1952-Jan. 23, 2019.  We share a March 23, 2011 interview. Zimbabwe Music Festival in the Bay Feb. 1-2, 2019, at http://www.ashkenaz.com/

2. Josh Folan, producer, Ask for Jane at SF Indie Fest 2019

3. CHRISTOPHER GREENSLATE's film, SAVIOR, is at SF Indie Feb. 2 (9:30 PM) and 2/6 (9:15 PM) at the Roxie.

4. Ellen Sebastian Chang is the Creative Director (11 plus years) for The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program, where we use the arts to teach the historical and current understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This event, Feb. 14, 21, 23, is in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the drafting of this important document that only 7% of our population is aware of.

Sandy Sohcot is the director and originator of The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program. Sandy Sohcot holds a California Lifetime Teaching Credential. In July 2001, Sandy became Executive Director of the Rex Foundation and served as in that capacity through 2013, to help renew the Foundation in the absence of direct Grateful Dead concert funding.

Artist, Virginia "Nia" Jourdan, who also joins us, is hosting the programs and unveiling 24 works inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 

1. Min. Imhotep Alkebulan, founding member, Wo'se Community Church (1987). Senior Minister of Wo'se Sacramento..

2. Demetri Broxton is the Senior Director of Education at Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco, CA. An Oakland native, Broxton has over 19 years of experience working in the field of education and the arts. Outside of his role at MoAD, Demetri is an independent curator and practicing artist. He served as a curator for the City of Berkeley (2013-2020) and his artwork is represented by Patricia Sweetow Gallery in San Francisco. Broxton holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University (2010) and a BFA from UC Berkeley in Art Practice (2002).

3. Baba Opesanwo Ifakorede Fadairo, Alagbigba Babalawo joins us to talk about ancestors and his work with herbs and nutrition as medicine (winter season)

4. Riddim Doctors: Val Serrant and Sikiru Adepoju

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 

The International Day to End Violence Against Women & Girls the 16-Day Campaign is Nov. 25-Dec.10

Dr. Kim McMillon is a producer, playwright and upcoming Willow author (Voyages). McMillon is a contributor to the anthology Some Other Blues: New Perspectives on Amiri Baraka (Ohio University Press, 2021). She also produced the Dillard University-Harvard’s Hutchins Center Black Arts Movement 2016 Conference in New Orleans, and with UC Merced’s Center for the Humanities, ASUCM, and the Office of Student Life, Ms. McMillon co-produced the 2014 UC Merced Black Arts Movement Conference, Fifty Years On.

Nina Serrano is a Vallejo poet.  She has published 3 books of  poetry and a novel  She has also edited an anthology of bi lingual English Spanish poetry Poetry in Flight.  Nina  produces regular poetry radio programs on KPFAfm in Berkeley  and Ozcat radio in Vallejo. Her work can seen on her website ninaserrano.com

Diarah N'Daw-Spech, the African Diaspora International Film Festival 2020, Inc., co-founder, Co-director ArtMattan Productions, Inc./General Manager (1993 to present) Friday, Nov. 27-Sunday, Dec. 13

We end with a special rebroadcast of Poets Unite Nov. 25, 2020, Dr. McMillon hosted.