Wanda's Picks

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!

Randall Kline, SFJAZZ Founder and Executive Artistic Director joins us to talk about NEA Jazz Masters concert honoring the work of Bobby McFerrin, Roscoe Mitchell, Reggie Workman, Dorthaan Kirk, is the first time the NEA has partnered with a West Coast organization, Thursday, August 20, 5:00pm PDT Tune in at SFJAZZ.org It's free

The Hon. Marcus Garvey's Birthday is Monday, August 17, 2020. Although the Pan African Flag day was 8/13, you can still fly your red, black and green flag this month. There will be a special program in Zoom 8/17 and the annual conference is this week as well beginning 8/20. 1st Assistant President General UNIA/ACL RC2020, Baba Senghor Baye is joining us to talk about this and more. 

We close with a rebroadcast of the Tribute to Denise Adele Gums (8/6/20)

We open with Tupac Shakur's "The Rose that Grew from Concrete" featuring Nikki Giovanni

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 will speak to 3-4 dynamic Oromo women artists, activists, politicians about the current movement for justice now in Ethiopia led by the youth: Hawi Itana,  

Merertu Kitila; Seenaa Jimjimo

1. Continuing our conversation about Oromo activists in Ethiopia, we speak to 4 women scholars and artists about growing up Oromo and what is happening in Ethiopia following the killing of the beloved artist: Hachalu Hundessa. Guests are: Alby Ungashe; Marii Beshir; Eden Daniel.

2. Political Organizer and Revolutionary Mother, Moya Mzuri Nana Yaa Offeibea Pambeli  is a member of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) and is currently serving on the Central Committee of the A-APRP as the Coordinator of the All-African Women’s Revolutionary Union (A-AWRU) for the U.S. Region of the A-APRP. Sister Mzuri is a long time activist and coalition builder. Some of her coalition work has included the Black August Los Angeles coalition (Political Prison Campaign), the Pan-African Diaspora Union (PADU) – Sixth Regional representing the African Diaspora, preparing to join the African Union. 

3. We close out with libations for Jonathan Jackson (17) who tried to set his elder brother free at the Marin Courthouse 50 years ago. We speak to Nathaniel Moore, educator and archivist at Freedom Archives and UC Berkeley Ethnic Studies Library. Freedom Archives has pulled together recorded material and visual documents commemorating this historic day.

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

Today we honor one of the Bay Area's local heroes: Ms. Denise Adele Gums. Friends and Family join us to talk about her life and work.

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! 

Today we speak to the male co-chair of N'COBRA, Nana Kwesi Jomoke Ifetayo about the 31st N'COBRA Virtual Conference, July 30-Aug. 1, 2020. Contact: [email protected] (678) 437-7882

2. Delfeayo Marsalis has launched a new non-profit – Keep NOLA Music Alive  – designed to help keep New Orleans music culture thriving during these uncertain times. Delfeayo kicks off the fundraising effort with a “Double-Nickel Birthday Bash” virtual performance Sunday, August 2, 3 p.m. PT/5 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. EDT marking his 55th birthday..

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! 

Today we speak to the male co-chair of N'COBRA, Nana Kwesi Jomoke Ifetayo about the 31st N'COBRA Virtual Conference, July 30-Aug. 1, 2020. Contact: [email protected] (678) 437-7882

2. Delfeayo Marsalis has launched a new non-profit – Keep NOLA Music Alive  – designed to help keep New Orleans music culture thriving during these uncertain times.  

Delfeayo kicks off the fundraising effort with a “Double-Nickel Birthday Bash” virtual performance Sunday, August 2, 3 p.m. PT/5 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. EDT marking his 55th birthday..

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! 

Bay Area Playwrights Festival concludes this weekend and we have Deneen Reynolds-Knott, playwright, and Jessica Bird Beza, Executive Artistic Director, and Director, joining us to talk about this season. http://playwrightsfoundation.org/2020-bay-area-playwrights-festival/

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! 

Middle Passage Walk, Theodore Rush, Fetch Clay, William Rhodes, broadcast August 29, 2014.

Today we rebroadcast Monday, July 13, 2020 show. The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival kicked off its 40th season with a wonderful film about our very own Congresswoman Barbara Lee, "Truth to Power," directed by Abby Ginzberg. It was at the Concord Drive-In. The feature was proceeded by a Q&A with festival directors Lexi Leban, the Congresswoman and the director.  The theatre was packed and afterward, if  the horns (read applause) were any indicator, everyone enjoyed the preview screening of a great film about a woman who has dedicated her life to the "people." There are many films screening online without cost which also have an interactive component, that is, Q&A. Visit  jfi.org/summerdays for all the information and for tickets to other drive-in films through Sunday, July 19. 

We feature co-directors, Marlon Johnson and Anne Flatté with Albert Shumake protégé and new director, River City Drum Corps. "River City Drumbeat" captures the story of Edward “Nardie” White’s thirty year run as leader of the dynamic Louisville, Kentucky River City Drum Corps, which OPENS AUG. 7-21, 2020 for a Two Week Virtual Engagement at Roxie Virtual Cinema: bit.ly/rcdatroxie

We close with an interview with Tamar Manasseh, African American resident in Chicago's south side and founder, MASK (Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killing). The mother of two adults is also a rabbinical student and the subject of "They Ain't Ready for Me," directed by Brad Rothschild, USA, 2020.

The film is a part of Cinegogue Summer Days, SF Jewish Film Festival's 40th Anniversary program, Sat., July 18, 12 p.m. in an online screening followed by a Q&A with Ilana Kaufman, director of the Jews of Color Field Building Initiative. For tickets: https://jfi.org/summer-days/day-3

This morning we talk about the SF Jewish Film Festival. 

1. Lexi Leban joined the Jewish Film Institute as Executive Director in 2011. A longtime member of the Bay Area film community, Leban has over 20 years experience in all aspects of film, from production to distribution to exhibition. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Academic Director of the Digital Filmmaking & Video Production at the Art Institute of California and creator of their Bachelor's degree program. As a documentary filmmaker, Leban has directed award-winning films that focus on women's rights, criminal justice and LGBT issues. Her films have screened widely at festivals in the U.S. and abroad. Her most recent film, Girl Trouble aired nationally on the acclaimed PBS series Independent Lens and an interactive game based on the film debuted at Sundance. She served for 8 years in the marketing and web operation department at New Day Films, a 40 year old filmmaker-run educational distribution company with over 230 award-winning titles. She earned a BA degree in Political Science from Barnard College of Columbia University and an MFA in Cinema from San Francisco State University. 

2. Abby Ginzberg, director, producer & Shola Lynch, consulting producer re: Truth to Power: Barbara Lee Speaks for Me  https://jfi.org/summer-days/day-1 (7/16, 8:30 PM PT at West Wind Drive-in, Concord)

3. Brad Rothschild, "They Ain't Ready for Us" http://theyaintreadyforme.com/the-team/ (online 7/18, 12 noon PT)