Wanda's Picks

Today's show was pretty phonomenal, the themes crisscrossing throughout as one guest touched on a theme resonating with previous guests such as place and home, what it means to be indigenous and why black people have to hold up their traditions and honor their heroes and each other via our culture: words, music, art and activism. In the studio we spoke to Joyce Hutton, niece of the late Bobby Hutton, the third person to join the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, and its youngest member at that time, Emory Douglas, former Min. of Culture for the BPP, Alan Laird and Terry Cotton, both members of the BPP and friends of Lil' Bobby Hutton, murdered by Oakland police just two days after the murder of Martin King, April 4, 1968 (Hutton shot and killed 4/6/1968). Also joining them is Damon Eaves, blackpantherblvd.com which has organized the Bobby Hutton Memorial Benefit, opening Nov. 29, 7-10 PM at the Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market Steet, in San Francisco, (415) 255-5971. Next we spoke to Afro-Polynesian singer, choreographer Mahealani Uchiyama, who will appear, Sunday, Nov. 30, 8 PM, $10, at Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave., in Berkeley. Visit www.mahea.com. Barry Shabaka Henley "Seth Holly," and Brent Jennings "Bynum Walker," cast in Berkeley Rep's staging of August Wilson's "Joe Turner Come and Gone," through Dec. 14, were up next. Visit www.berkeleyrep.org. We closed the show with a conversation with lyricist Jahi, who is opening for Wu Tang Clan, Dec. 3, 8 PM (doors open/show at 9 PM) at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Van Ness Ave. The show is all ages, as are all the events listed here this week. Jahi will also perform at the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations Conference Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, 7-10 PM at ASA Academy in Oakland and 12/6. Visit www.myspace.com/hotbutteredflows. And for all the happenings in town: http://wandaspicks.com. Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 3, for Wanda's Picks Radio, 6-7 AM, PST.

The day before what some call Thanksgiving and others call "a Great Day of Mourning and Commemoration," we had as guests: Rafael Jesus Gonzalez and Karla Brundage, sharing poetry of the indigenous community in the Americas. Rafael, scholar and visual artist began the show with reflections on what it means to grow up in a society where one's cultural heritage: language, music, art, dress, are systematically erased. Joined later on by Karla, high school teacher, world traveler and phonomenal writer in her own right, she shares work of 4 Native American poets, among them Joy Harjo. We end the program early to speak to Robert H. King, activist and author, who has good news regarding Albert Woodfox's case. Federal Court Judge Brady has ruled in favor of Woodfox, granting him bail provided housing is approved, this despite the prosecution's deliberate attempts to poison the public's perceptions of Woodfox and slander his good name with false accusations, accusations without evidence or proof, evidence found unsuitable or recanted by state's witnesses in the prior 2 trials for the same murder convictions friends and supporters are trying to get the federal court to overturn. Woodfox and Wallace were in solitary confinement for 36 consecutive years up to March 26, 2008, when after a visit by Congressman John Conyers, the men were finally moved to a hastily built dorm for 20 men. Since the trial the men are once again separated and in the dungeon. King is the only free member of A3 and after Woodfox is released, Herman Wallace remains the only member left behind bars, his case currently under review. Visit angola3.org, A3grassroots.org, kingsfreelines.com, and itsabouttimebpp.com

Today we continue our conversation about the case of Albert Woodfox, Herman Wallace and Robert King, collectively known as The Angola 3. Presently, Albert Woodfox's case is up for review and dismissal, yet he has not been released. This morning we addressed Woodfox's legal teams' procedural direction and Woodfox's safety at the institution as his release looms near. We are joined by: Robert King and Gail Shaw, who share portions of letters and conversations with Woodfox. Other concerned comrades and friends besides, King, the only exonerated member of A3 and recently published author, www.kingsfreelines.com, www.angola3.org, www.a3grassroots.org; and again, Dr. Shaw, co-founder of www.itsabouttimebpp.com, an organization which preserves and promotes through exhibits and educational conferences, the legacy of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense; along with Geronimo ji jaga, former political prisoner, humanitarian, and co-founder of the www.kujifoundation.org; and Malik Rahim, Louisiana State Congressional candidate for the Green Party, co-founder of Common Ground Relief; in the next segment we spoke to Prof. Glen Pearson and composer, singer, songwriter, Nicolas Bearde re: the College of Alameda Jazz Big Band concert, Sun., Nov. 23, 2-5 PM at Anna's Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way, in Berkeley, CA. Next we were joined by Felicia Benefield, currently on stage at Cutting Ball Theatre's staging of Eugene Ionesco's Victim's of Duty Fri., Nov. 21-22 8 PM, and Sun., Nov. 23, 5 PM, in SF, CA, cuttingball.com. We closed with a conversation with Marcus Shelby, composer, educator and musician about his Harriet Tubman & Jazz concert tonight, 8 PM, at the Jazz School in Berkeley and the workshop series beginning, Sun., Nov. 23, 11:45-1:45. We went over time, and I couldn't play a song from the 2-CD work, but patrons will have an opportunity to hear it this evening at the Jazz School, 2087 Addison Street, near Berkeley BART station.

This morning we spoke with Michael Mable, younger brother of Albert Woodfox, one of the men known as The Angola 3, incarcerated for over 36 years,nearly all of it in solitary confinement. His case has recently been overturned in the Lousiana courts, yet state prosecutors are resorting to intimidation and slander to keep Woodfox behind bars. We have been hosting comrades and friends: supporters of A3 and this morning is the first opportunity we've had to talk to a family member. In this hour long conversation, we hear about Woodfox the surrogate father to his younger siblings in a poor single parent household, where his mother had to provide for the family. Visit www.angola3.org to find about more about the case and to get names and addresses and phone numbers to write the court. To get in contact with Albert Woodfox: #72148 Camp D, Eagle 1

Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola LA 70712, USA and Herman Wallace, the other still incarcerated member of A3:#76759 Camp D, Eagle 1, Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, LA, 70712,USA. Robert King is the only exonerated member and he can be reached at: c/o Kings Freelines, 2008 New York Av. #B, Austin, Texas 78702, [email protected]. King is in San Francisco now promoting his book: From the Bottom of the Heap on PM Press. You can meet him this Friday, Nov. 21, 7 PM at Babylon Falling in San Francisco. Tonight check out the Community Screening of March Point at the Oakland Museum of CA, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland. The event starts at 6 PM. I was expecting a call from the director but something must have come up. The film will screen on KQED this week also. Visit kqed.org

This is a busy weekend in the San Francisco Bay Area: Conference on Race: Nov. 14-16 at the Marriott Convention Center in Oakland; the Green Festival in San Francisco; the 35th Anniversary of Dimensions Dance Theatre, Vukani Mawethu Choir's Gala dinner, and Black Rep's 44 Anniversary Gala and Community Award's program, tonight, 11/14. I'll speak to Dr. Mona Vaughn Scott and her son, Sean, monies raised will go to the Music in the Community program and breast cancer awareness. Well that was the plan last week and then 8 AM dawned and things changed. Robert King, author, activist and the only exonerated member of Angola 3 was joined in the studio by: Ron Chisom, People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, Mwalimu Johnson, Advocate, Capital Post-Conviction Center in New Orleans, and Jackie Sumell, Artist, The House that Herman Built. They updated us on the case of A3 member: Albert Woodfox, who had his final hearing Wednesday, Nov. 12. Visit angola3.org. This discussion was followed by an interview with artist, Amana Bremby Johnson, whose latest sculpture will be unveiled Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Joseph P. Lee Recreation Center, 1395 Mendell Street, on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Jill, a representative from the San Francisco Art Commission was also be in the studio. She spoke about the work, how Amana was chosen, and San Francisco county’s commitment, even in the lean times, to supporting community art projects like these.

Art is not optional— it is integral to community life and its sustainability. Visit www.sfartscommission.org/pubart Guests Faye Carol, Kito Gamble and Deborah Vaughn were sick this morning and needed to conserve their strength for their respective shows this weekend. We closed the show today with a wonderful conversation with Harriet and Alex Bagwell, and Attieno Davis about Vukani Mawethu Choir, their gala and their continued work to support grassroots CBO/NGOs in South Africa, Haiti, Oakland and elsewhere.

Today we will give an update on Hurricane Season in Texas, paying special attention to those areas where the devastation hit hardest and what organizations are responding to the disaster. We'll update listeners on any new developments in Albert Woodfox's case, with further reporting Friday, Nov. 14. During the second half of the show, we will also discuss what is going on in the Democratice Republic of the Congo--Patrice Lumumba land, King Leopold country, a place that has not know peace in almost 50 years. Exploited after its first democratically elected Prime Minister, post-colonial rule was killed by the west, turmoil in the area: Rwanda in particular and the country's vast mineral resources has made it a haven for international plunder. We hope to have representatives on our show today who can clarify the issues for us. Next we'll talk about Dafur and Southern Sudan and the continuing massacre there.

Today we were joined by Robert H. King, www.Angola3.org, author of a recent autobiography: "From the Bottom of the Heap;" Parnell Herbert, Deputy Min. of Justice, Millions More Movement/Houston: http://www.mmmhouston.net/loc/, Coalition for Justice (210) 732-8957 www.coalitionforjustice.net; and Geronimo ji jaga, former political prisoner, international human rights activist, Kuji Foundation http://www.kujifoundation.org They will be speaking about the case of Albert Woodfox, recently found innocent of all charges leveled at him over 30 years ago by the Louisiana judiciary October 8, yet he has not been released. The international connection between revolutionary movements and subjugation, silencing and murder of African people worldwide in prisons is made by world-traveler, scholar and historian, Dr. Runoko Rashidi, who joins us briefly as he gets ready to journey to Rio de Janeiro for a conference next week. The next guest is Sean San Jose, theatre director at Intersection for the Arts, the oldest alternative arts space in San Francisco, which is now staging, Dan Wolf's adaptation of Adam Mansbach novel by the same title, Angry Black White Boy. It's up Thursday-Sundays, through Nov. 16. Visit www.theintersection.org. The show concludes with a conversation with friends and family about Obama 2008. We are joined by Mrs. Dolores Dixon a.k.a Mamakye, her daughter Karen Oyekanmi; granddaughter, Sara Marie Prada, fallinlovephotography.com; arts activism and womanist, Sia Amma of Global Women Intact, who is hosting an African drum and dance conference which began Wednesday, Nov. 5, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 9. Artist, “Boundless Gratitude,” closes out the show with performance of a lovely song he wrote in October. It's kind of hard to hear so listeners are encouraged to visit http://boundlessgratitude.com/ for a free download. Visit http://wandaspicks.com

Today we'll be speaking with Willie Ratcliff, publisher of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper about Election 2008 and Barack Obama's victory. He will be joined by Nene St. Louis, visual artist, activist, playwright, and director.

Today we feature during the 8-8:30 segment Majeedah Rahman Healthy Babies Project--she also teaches at Contra Costa College; Robert Stewart, musician/composer and one of my former students at Muhammad University of Islam; this segment will look at the Obama campaign and what the future holds for black people and our country and the world when he is elected; during the 8:35-9:00 segment we feature the director, Baayan Bakari and several members of the Equinox cast: Tiara, Will E., Melvina, and Jasmine. The film, set in Oakland looks at how a young man who enters a rites of passage program as a boy, becomes a man and how his maturation process in this "Boys to Men" program changes his household for the better. Issues tackled are alcoholism, spousal abuse, juvenile delinquency, adoption and the African concept of the "village and the extended family. Friendship is also explored, as a precursor to romance. The next half hour or so we have cast from the wonderful TheatreWorks production of August Wilson's final play in the 10-cycle exploration of black life in America, Radio Golf. It closes at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts Sunday, Nov. 2. There are four performances left: tonight at 8 p.m., tomorrow at 8 p.m., 2 on Sunday,Nov. 2, 2 and 7 p.m. Aldo Billingslea, L. Peter Callender, C. Kelly Wright, and Charles Branklyn join us. We close out the month, ancestor commemoration month with actress, poet, civil rights attorney Marguerite Laurent. We ran out of time, so all of my talk with Ms. Laurent was not heard live on the air, but is archived. The show today is actually from 8:00-10:40 a.m.

This morning we will have on the air three dynamic persons, all cultural workers: Kokomon Clottey and Aeeshah Clottey, co-founders of the Attitudinal Healing Center in Oakland. In the second half of the program we will feature, Ezili Danto a.k.a Marguerite Laurent, JD.

The Clotteys are authors of Beyond Fear :Twelve Spiritual Keys to Racial Healing and Kokomon from Ghana, West Africa has captured the richness of his culture and the essence of Mindful Drumming in his latest book, “Mindful Drumming: Ancient Wisdom for Unleashing the Human Spirit and Building Community. Kokomon and Aeeshah Clottey are founders of the Attitudinal Healing Connection (www.ahc- oakland.org), a nonprofit organization with the mission of eliminating violence and fear by supporting creative and educational programs that transforms the spirit and build peaceful and loving communities for all humanity. They also serve on the Board of The Peace Alliance Foundation

founded by Marianne Williamson. In addition, Kokomon is a musician with 30 years of performing and recording experience as well as a Bachelor Degree in Business Management. He has produced three CD's: Love Is The Answer, Mystic Vision, and The Journey - Kokomon. Marguerite Laurent is a Haitian woman inspired, guided, and directed by the strength, legacy and visions of the Haitian warrior goddess, Ezili Dantò. She is an award winning playwright, a performance poet, political and social commentator, author and human rights attorney. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and raised in Stamford, CT. She holds a BA from Boston College, a JD from the University of Connecticut School of law, and, attended the Hartford Conservatory for Ballet, Jazz and Modern while studying Haitian dancing at home and with countless Haitian dance experts in the field. She is a gifted spoken word artist who uses Haitian dance, performance poetry, theater and creative writing to create. She is founder of The Haitian Lawyers Leadership, a network of la