Wanda's Picks

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

About the Co-Director/Co-Producers Rita Coburn Whack & Bob Hercules

Rita Coburn Whack is an independent filmmaker with Emmy Award winning documentaries for Curators of Culture, Remembering 47th Street and African Roots American Soil. Other documentaries have aired on C-Span and the History Channel. Under her direction Maya Angelou’s Radio Show for Oprah Radio was awarded the Women in Radio and Television Gracie Awards, “Best Radio Program” 2008, “Best Radio Host” 2009 and the “Silver World Medal” in radio New York festival 2009. Author of the novel Meant to Be (Random House Strivers Row 2002) her company RCW Media Productions, Inc. produced Maya Angelou’s Black History Month Specials distributed by Public Radio International 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Bob Hercules is an independent filmmaker whose recent films include Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance and Bill T. Jones: A Good Man. The Joffrey film, narrated by Mandy Patinkin, tells the full story of the groundbreaking ballet company and their many rises and falls. It premiered in January, 2012 at the Dance on Camera Film Festival at Lincoln Center and aired on PBS’ American Masters December, 2012. A Good Man aired on American Masters in 2011 and played at many film festivals including IDFA, Silverdocs, Full Frame, DOXA and the Southern Circuit. Hercules acclaimed Forgiving Dr. Mengele (2005) won the Special Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival and has been seen in film festivals around the world.

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. Rhonda Benin, Just Like a Music at Freight & Salvage tonight, March 31.

2. Cheryl Patrice Derricotte: re Ghost Ships at MoAD (archived interview); exhibit now at the Berkeley Main Library through March 31, 2018. There is also a workshop.

3. Rebroadcast archived show: Professor Bill Bell (7/12/1936-3/18/2017) on African American Spirituals March 17, 2013

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. Erika Cohn, dir., THE JUDGE & Denali Tiller, dir.,TRE MAISON DASAN @https://www.sffilm.org/

2. America ReFramed on The World Channel http://worldchannel.org/programs/america-reframed/:Guests: Christopher Hastings, Executive Producer and directors:Keith McQuirter MILWAUKEE 53206: 04.03, Jenny Phillips, BEYOND THE WALL:04/10 & Annelise Wunderlich, THE CORRIDOR:04/17

3. The Black Panther Film Dialogues Vol. 3: with Juliana “Jewels” Smith, the (H)afrocentric creator, is a writer, cultural worker, and educator and Alan Clark, who is a graphic novelist. Visit phantomelectik.com

4. Rhonda Benin, 6th Annual Just Like a Woman Concert 3/31 at thefrieght.org

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. LWOP Town Hall, March 24, 5-8 PM at Red Bay Coffee & Roastery in Oakland: Terah was incarcerated at the age of 18 and was facing life without the possibility of parole for aiding and abetting in a murder her cousin committed. By waving her appellate rights, she was able to receive a reduced sentence. Throughout the 15 years she served, she stayed very proactive facilitating groups and pursuing a higher education. Since her release in November of 2017, she has continued to work with several organizations who advocate on prison issues, mass incarceration, restorative justice, and youth diversion.

2. Omitola Toluwalase Akinwunmi, African medicine woman, educator and therapist, joins us to talk about the Indigenous Healing Arts Institute; International Affliation Lutha (Lubowa Traditional Healers Association). Call: 510.417.9336.

3. Ubuntu Theatre Project: “Dance of the Holy Ghosts” lead actors: Berwick Haynes, Grandfather Oscar, and Michael Curry, who plays his grandson Marcus G.— join us to talk about the current production

4. Rotimi Oyenekan, Gba’Dunn-In-Style Band, with special guest: Nkan “Kemi” Eledua, join us to talk about a special concert March 24, at Miliki Spot, 10-11:30 p.m., 3725 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland.

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.Saturday, March 24, 2018 International artist/sculptor, Nijel Binns presents his Tupac Shakur maquette sculpture at the opening of the Oakland Museum of California exhibit, RESPECT: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom. March 24 - August 12, 2018

2. Eric Murphy, artist, joins us to continue our conversation about Black Panther, the film

3. Santoya Fields, actress ("Stella" in African American Shakespeare Company's production of T. Williams's "A Street Car Named Desire")

4. Tre'Vonne Bell, "Tru," actor, Jesse Vaughn "Marquis," actor, and Lisa Marie Rollins join us to talk about Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm's "Hooded or Being Black for Dummies" at The Custom Made Theatre through April 7.

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. Rev. Edward Pinkney, former Poliical Prisoner speaks about the New Poor People's Movement.  Rev. Pinkney is President and CEO of the Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO). He is a Pastor, community activist, who really acts and one of the most influential people in the political area and social voice.  Rev. Pinkney joins his friend Mrs. Ethel Long Scott, founding director, Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP.org).  Feb. 14, Rev. Pinkney was in Oakland for a New Poor People's March CA Tour.  Please visit: P-SPAN #612: Laney College Teach-In: Rev. Edward Pinkney

The East Bay working group meets monthly on Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m. in the Laney College Tower Building, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland. For information call: 510-986-8620. 

2. From the archives March 14, 2012: Luisha Teish on Sacred Space

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.Saturday, March 24, 2018 International artist/sculptor, Nijel Binns presents his Tupac Shakur maquette sculpture at the opening of the Oakland Museum of California exhibit, RESPECT: Hip-Hop Style & Wisdom. March 24 - August 12, 2018

2. Eric Murphy, artist, joins us to continue our conversation about Black Panther, the film

3. Santoya Fields, actress ("Stella" in African American Shakespeare Company's production of T. Williams's "A Street Car Named Desire")

4. Tre'Vonne Bell, "Tru," actor, Jesse Vaughn "Marquis," actor, and Lisa Marie Rollins join us to talk about Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm's "Hooded or Being Black for Dummies" at The Custom Made Theatre through April 7.

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. Rebroadcast of March 7, 2018 show featuring: Tomye Neal-Madison, visual artist, presenting in "22nd Annual: The Art of Living Black" at the Richmond Art Center & Joshua Whitaker's (guest) Spirithaus Gallery's "Bold As Love 2018" at the West Oakland gallery through the end of the month; S. Pearl Sharp, poet, writer, filmmaker joins Tomye to talk about Black Panther, the film. We close with a conversation with Naomi Gede Diouf, teacher, scholar, Artistic Director, Diamano Coura Dance company about the 23rd Annual Collage des Cultures Africaines in Oakland, March 8-11.

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. Tomye, artist and Joshua Whitaker, curator, owner, Spirithous Gallery

2. S.Pearl Sharpe joins Tomye Neal-Madison

3. Naomi Gede Diouf, Diamano Coura