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!

1. Mrs. Ethel Long Scott, Women's Economic Agenda Project joins us to talk about current issues. 

2. Thomas Allen Harris, dir. Through a Lens Darkly, Black Photographers (Frameline 38, 2014).

3. D'Wayne Wiggins, philanthropist, Award-winning R&B artist, joins us to talk about Youth Aid, an organization he founded to expose, engage, and inspire youth from underserved communities through the creation, production and businessof music. Taste of Oakland Fest, Sat., May 13, 12 noon to 6 p.m., at Dunsmuir House. "Taste of Oakland Fest," will showcase the Bay Area's unique independence, culture and innovative spirit featuring music, technology, and food.The event is for all ages.

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. Grace Lee, Korean American director, joins us to talk about her interactive media project and film, K-Town'92: Who Gets to Tell the Story. 

Interactive Website 

On Saturday, April 29th at 1P ET/10A PT, WORLD Channel will be Facebook Live streaming K-Town '92 Reporters. WORLD Channel’s Executive Producer Chris Hastings will be joined by director Grace Lee, and a special guest, to discuss the anniversary of the 1992 L.A. riots and the K-Town project, including the short film and newly launched interactive website ktown92.com. Use the comments section to ask questions after the stream. Join in at facebook.com/WORLDChannel.

2. Roger Guenveur Smith, joins us to talk about Rodney King, the film, directed by Spike Lee which airs on Netflix today, the 25th Anniversary of the LA Rebellion (4/30). 

3. Peoples Climate Movement -- Bay Area, April 29, 11-5 p.m. at Lake Merritt Ampitheatre. Joining us are: Susan Schacher and Carroll Fife.

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. In the United States there are 2.2 million people in prison, up from only 300,000 forty years ago, yet for most Americans, prisons have never felt more distant or more out of sight. A cinematic journey through a series of seemingly ordinary American landscapes, The Prison in Twelve Landscapes excavates the hidden world of the modern prison system and explores lives outside the gates affected by prisons.

Join us to talk to Brett Story, whose film, The Prison in Twelve Landscapes, premieres on Independent Lens Monday, May 8, 2017, 10:00-11:00 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS.

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. Deborah Vaughn, Artistic Director, principal choreographer, co-founder of Dimensions Dance Theatre, joins us to speak about The Village Project, Sunday, May 7, 4 p.m. at Phillip Reeder Auditorium at Castlemont High School in Oakland. Visit eventbrite for tickets.                                                         

2. People's Climate Movement Bay Area event, Sat., April 29, 2017.

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. Rachel Caplan, Founder & CEO, SF Green Film Festival, April 20-26, 2017

2. Jenee Johnson, Director, SF Black Infant Program

3. Nefertina Abrams, Royal House of Makeda, Black Empowerment Summit II, Sat., April 22

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. Kathleen Dowdey, dir. "John Lewis: Get in the Way." http://www.pbs.org/show/john-lewis-get-in-the-way/

2. Margaret Avery, "Shug," in Color Purple--2/14/2014.

Music: Zion Trinity's "Opening Prayer for Esu Legba," Ethnic Heritage Ensemble's "Black is Back," Marcus Shelby's "I Am a Man from Soul of the 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!

1. Rebroadcast with African American Shakes actors: Edward Neville Ewell (Youngblood) and Jemier Jenkins (Rena) in August Wilson's Jitney. Closes this weekend at the Marine's Memorial Theatre in SF.

2. From the archives: JITNEY at Multi-Ethinic Theatre August 2014.

1. Kelly Carlisle, a former member of the Navy who leads an urban farming program where at-risk children grow and sell fresh food to eat healthier and deposit the profits they earn into individual savings accounts to build toward a better future.

Executive Director of Acta Non Verba, the US Navy veteran and has been the recipient of many awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She is an avid gardener and is an Alameda County Master Gardener Trainee. She is an active member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

Ms. Carlisle was selected as one of 200 U.S. Delegates to Slow Food International’s Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto in 2012 and 2014. Ms. Carlisle is the December 2011 Bon Appetit Good Food Fellow. She has worked with and mentored pre-teen and teenage youth since the age of 14. A native of East Oakland, California, she is committed to creating positive change in her childhood city.

Most recently, Kelly’s work has been honored at the White House by President Barack Obama.

2. Pat Mullen, member, Junius Courtney Big Band at Freight & Salvage

3. SAGE Conference April 22

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. Anita M. Samuels, author, Rants & Retorts: How Bigots Got a Monopoly on Commenting About News Online, a first book by a veteran journalist, who has written for New York Times, New York Daily News, Billboard, BET Weekend Magazine and other publications. 

2. Encore interview with David Roach, cofounder, Oakland International Film Festival, April 4-8.

Music: Zion Trinity's Opening Prayer for Esu Legba; Archie Shepp's Cousin Mary; David Haridman featuring Nina Causey.

1. Donna C. Roberts, dir. Yemanja: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil, a part of the Oakland International Film Festival, Wed., April 5, 6:30 p.m. at HNU Valley Performing Arts Center in Oakland. For tickets:http://oiff.org/yemanja

2. The Flight Deck's Overnight opens tonight, March 31. We speak to Anna Shneiderman, Executive Director and Founder: Ragged Wing Ensemble and Ayodele Nzinga, Artistic Director, Lower Bottom Playaz. Flight Deck.

3. OneLife Institute presents: Transformative Visions: Art, Music, Spoken Word: Sat., April 8, 2-5 p.m. at Oakstop. We are joined by Rev. Liza Rankow, presenter, and artists: Mar Stevens, Virginia Jourdan, and Nicole Dixon.