Wanda's Picks

Melanin Magic Sessions Take 5: A special series of shows featuring healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion.

Wind & Fire: Honoring the Divine Feminine & Masculine in Africana Religions is the theme for the ADRSA 2020, April 17

Dr. Funlayo (foon-la-yo) E. Wood-Menzies (postdoctoral fellow at UC Santa Barbara) specialist in Ifa-Orisa, Yoruba indigenous religion. She is the founding director of the African and Diasporic Religious Studies Association (ADRSA) and of Ase Ire, an Ifa-Orisa temple and spirituality learning center.

Dr. Kyrah (keer-ah) Malika Daniels (Leadership council founding member ADRSA, professor of African and African Diaspora studies and art history, Boston College, specialist in Haitian Vodou and Congo traditions)

Stephen Hamilton (conference featured artist,visual artist itanproject.com, specializing in bringing indigenous techniques into his work, art education, African indigenous art techniques like weaving and dyeing in addition to painting) 

2. Leah Davis,Wealth & Wellness Coach for WOC 

3.Nathan Richardson,SC Publishing, Frederick Douglass Reenactment Actor

We celebrate William Harrison Withers Jr. "Bill Withers," today.  Born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, July 4, 1938 in a family of 13, he the youngest, most people know him as an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. He recorded several major hits, including "Ain't No Sunshine", "Grandma's Hands", "Use Me", "Lean on Me", "Lovely Day", and "Just the Two of Us."

However, he was so much more and we learn about these other dimensions of a man who stopped recording for 33 years to have a family and a life with that family. The film, "Still Bill," co-directed by friends and colleagues, Damani Baker and Alex Vlack, is a wonderful portrait of this complex man's life from growing up in a coal mining town, to joining the navy to working in the air force making toilets, to fame in his 30s.  I am going to play a little of the audio here this morning following an interview with director, Damani when the film was debuting in a free community screening at the Kabuki Theatre in San Francisco 11 years ago. 

We open with Amikaeyla Gaston singing "Lovely Day." We then shift to a conversation with Simone Missick, who portrays the character Camae in Katora Hall's play "The Mountaintop" (2013) at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, CA.  We play Nina Simone's moving Why did they kill the man of peace? After that song, well what could anyone say? So we play about 30 minutes of "Still Bill." Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdizl63aols  In between the two segments I read a review of the play. The show is Wanda's Picks tribute to two great men from a generation of men and women slipping into other dimensions so quickly we need to pay attention and enjoy their gifts now before they return to the earth. . 

Aṣẹ, Aṣẹ, Aṣẹ-o.

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 feature 20 poets who share words of inspiration and hope.  Here is a link to their bios: https://wandasabir.blogspot.com/2020/04/national-poetry-month-special-friday.html

We also commemorate Dr. King, on the anniversary weekend of his death, April 4, 1968, a day he was taken from us before we were ready to let him go. I have a few poems from the canon to share. I'd like to start with one by Qwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), Poet Laureatte of Chicago, author of the Maud Martha chronicles and the classic work, "We Real Cool." 

'I don't like the idea of the black race being diluted out of existence. I like the idea of all of us being here.''Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917), African American poet. As quoted in I Dream a World, by Brian Lanker (1989).

Sonia Sanchez's Morning Song and Evening Walk; Aurielle Lucier's What Dream America?

The work is taken from Nadia Alexis's "Five Poets Honor Dr. MLKing"

This show is the 4th in a special series of shows featuring healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion. 

1. Wanda K. Whitaker, of Anchored In Spirit, is a certified hypnotherapist, spiritual life coach and visionary artist. She is the former owner of a cause-related marketing consultancy agency, Whitaker & Associates. Her purpose is to awaken people to their Higher Selves and greatest potential. http://www.anchoredinspirit.com/index.html

African American Virtual Townhall 11-1 4/2/20

2. Dorsey Nunn, Executive Director, LSPC

https://prisonerswithchildren.org/staff-and-board/

3. Nathan Richardson, SC Publishing joins us to talk about Frederick Douglass-- rescheduled

4. Tajmal Payne, Zuni Designs Concepts, Inc. joins us to talk about Homeless Force Coalition. Oshalla Diane Marcus also joins us. She is Managing Director of Sekhmet Community Acupuncture Clinic in South Richmond. 

https://wandasabir.blogspot.com/2020/04/wednesday-april-1-2020.html

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!

This is part three of a special series of shows -- I call Melanin Magic, with healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion.

For complete bios visit: https://wandasabir.blogspot.com/2020/03/wandas-picks-radio-show-black-art-and.html

1. Baba Opesanwo Ifakorede Fadairo, Alagbigba Babalawo 

2. Queen Hollins is a sovereign being and founder of the Earthlodge Center for Transformation where she practices and teaches earth-based nature medicine and curriculum. To stay connected with Queen and the Earthlodge community sign up at earthlodgecenter.org

3. Dr. V.S. Chochezi and Staajabu, a mother daughter poetry duo, originally from Camden, NJ, have self-published seven books of poetry, one Sci-fi Anthology, produced 2 spoken word CDs and produced many programs in Sacramento.They have made over 600 appearances as featured readers, speakers, presenters, panalists and workshop facilitators. Their writings have appeared in publications too numerous to name.  Dr. V.S. Chochezi, is a college professor, writer, poet, editor, mosaic artist and photojournalist. Staajabu is a writer, editor, producer, poet, health advocate, graphic artist, Air Force veteran, UC Davis retiree and serves on the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission. Both are members of ZICA Creative Arts and Literary Guild. straightoutscribes.com

Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer Elegba; Marcus Shelby's We're A Winner (Soul of a Movement)

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 have a special series of shows kicking off this morning with healers who will leave us with tools we can use to strengthen ourselves during a time when isolation is encouraged while the soul cries for communion. 

1. Michele Elizabeth Lee, author, Working the Roots: Over 400 Years of African American Healing, joins us to talk about how the literal earth is the best medicine. 

2. Sister Dr. Bisola Marignay joins us to share wisdom, poetry and mindfulness practice.  Dr. Adeshima Penn joins Sister Bisola to share a guided meditation to help us to use our breath to keep grounded in heart and balanced in spirit.

3. We close with a conversation with Major Joe Womack, Africantown, native. Visit http://africatownhpf.s442.sureserver.com/ and http://www.africatown-chess.org/

Short bio at: https://bridgethegulfproject.org/users/joe-womack

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 rebroadcast the Tuesday, March 10 interview with the co-curator of Soul of a Movement at the DeYoung Museum. Also on this show is a rebroadcast of the Feb. 14, interviews with Black Joy founder and founders of Black Choreographer Festival, Here and Now. Music: Kahil El Zabar, Black is Back.

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!

In this special broadcast we speak to Lauren Palmor, co-curator of the "Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power" exhibition at the de Young museum through Sunday, March 15, 2020. Visit https://deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/soul-of-a-nation                                                     

2. We close with a rebroadcast of the Feb. 14 show which includes an interview with Laura Elaine Ellis and Kendra Kimbrough re BCFHN 16 which closed last weekend.  What is special about this broadcast is BCFHN's Izzy Award March 24, 6-7:30 p.m. at Brava Theatre in SF.  Visit https://www.brava.org/all-events/2014/3/24/the-isadora-duncan-awards

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. Tiffany Littlejohn, director, The Perfect Sacrifice. We discuss her film in view of the recently pass Anti-Lynching Bill and https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/35/text

2. Elaine Yau, co-curator, joins us to talk about Rosie Lee Tompkins: A Retrospective through July 19

3. Kelly Savage, California Coalition for Women Prisoners, Drop LWOP Campaign and Rally, Monday, March 9, 2020. Visit https://womenprisoners.org/our-programs/events/

https://droplwop.com/ resources

4. From the Archives: Skyler Cooper's One Man Show at TheatreFirst through this weekend, March 7-8, 2020.