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. Pam Africa, International Friends and Families of Mumia Abu Jamal; Ramona Africa, MOVE Organization re: Bay Area Tour in San Jose at Evergreen Valley College, Montgomery Hall (Friday, 10/16, 12-4), Freedom Archives Hall, 518 Valencia St., SF (10/16, 7 PM); Niebyl Proctor Library, Oakland (Sat., 10/17, 7 PM); Sun., 10/18, 2-5 pm, 2251 Florin Rd, Sacramento, CA 95822 - Suite 126

2. From the archives: Long Distance Revolutionary, dir. Stephen Vittoria (2013)

2. Tiearea Robinson, Lecturer at a lecturer, Dept. of Africana Studies, Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, Friends of the Negro Spirituals Heritage Keeper 2015.

4. Jeff L. Lieberman, Re-Emerging Films, director, The Amazing Nina Simone which opens in New York with an art exhibit, Oct. 15-18. www.amazingnina.com

Song: To Be Young Gifted and Black from Youtube

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. Pam Africa, International Friends and Families of Mumia Abu Jamal; Ramona Africa, MOVE Organization re: Bay Area Tour in San Jose at Evergreen Valley College, Montgomery Hall (Friday, 10/16, 12-4), Freedom Archives Hall, 518 Valencia St., SF (10/16, 7 PM); Niebyl Proctor Library, Oakland (Sat., 10/17, 7 PM); Sun., 10/18, 2-5 pm, 2251 Florin Rd, Sacramento, CA 95822 - Suite 126

2. From the archives: Long Distance Revolutionary, dir. Stephen Vittoria (2013)

2. Tiearea Robinson, Lecturer at a lecturer, Dept. of Africana Studies, Cal State University, Dominguez Hills, Friends of the Negro Spirituals Heritage Keeper 2015.

4. Jeff L. Lieberman, Re-Emerging Films, director, The Amazing Nina Simone which opens in New York with an art exhibit, Oct. 15-18. www.amazingnina.com

Song: To Be Young Gifted and Black from Youtube

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 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!

Keith Wallace is a third year M.F.A. actor at UC San Diego. He joins us to talk about The Bitter Game, a new work debuting this weekend at LaJolla Playhouse in San Diego. The director was recently seen in the East Bay directing Ubuntu Theatre's Brothers Size.  Mr. Wallace holds a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College and is an alumnus of The British American Drama Academy.

Maurice Poplar, Los Angeles based writer & filmmaker, speaks about his essay, Frankenstein Was a Black Dude. He is also directing the film: Donovan Quixote which traces the story of a young man through adulthood as he deals with the realities of the difficulties of growing up as a black man in America.

Azadeh Zohrabi is the National Campaigner at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights where she works with communities and policy makers on ending mass criminalization and incarceration. Azadeh previously worked as a Soros Justice Fellow at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children where she served on the litigation team representing Pelican Bay prisoners in the federal lawsuit which resulted in a landmark agreement to end indefinite solitary confinement in California.

Zoe Willmott, Project WHAT! Program Manager is also an alumnus. A native of San Francisco, Ms. Willmott came to Community Works after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Race and Gender History of the United States from Barnard College of Columbia University.

Tailani Crawford, Project WHAT! Youth Advocate is 16 years old and is a Junior at Castro Valley High School. The Oakland native has been a youth advocate at the agency for 3 years now, where she has trained to over 100 service providers on how to better support and empathize with youth with incarcerated parents. Tailani is a college-bound junior with plans to one day return to work as full-time staff at Project WHAT!, and is also interested in pursuing physical therapy for sports.

Keith Wallace is a third year M.F.A. actor at UC San Diego. He joins us to talk about The Bitter Game, a new work debuting this weekend at LaJolla Playhouse in San Diego. The director was recently seen in the East Bay directing Ubuntu Theatre's Brothers Size.  Mr. Wallace holds a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College and is an alumnus of The British American Drama Academy.

Maurice Poplar, Los Angeles based writer & filmmaker, speaks about his essay, Frankenstein Was a Black Dude. He is also directing the film: Donovan Quixote which traces the story of a young man through adulthood as he deals with the realities of the difficulties of growing up as a black man in America.

Azadeh Zohrabi is the National Campaigner at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights where she works with communities and policy makers on ending mass criminalization and incarceration. Azadeh previously worked as a Soros Justice Fellow at Legal Services for Prisoners with Children where she served on the litigation team representing Pelican Bay prisoners in the federal lawsuit which resulted in a landmark agreement to end indefinite solitary confinement in California.

Zoe Willmott, Project WHAT! Program Manager is also an alumnus. A native of San Francisco, Ms. Willmott came to Community Works after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Race and Gender History of the United States from Barnard College of Columbia University.

Tailani Crawford, Project WHAT! Youth Advocate is 16 years old and is a Junior at Castro Valley High School. The Oakland native has been a youth advocate at the agency for 3 years now, where she has trained to over 100 service providers on how to better support and empathize with youth with incarcerated parents. Tailani is a college-bound junior with plans to one day return to work as full-time staff at Project WHAT!, and is also interested in pursuing physical therapy for sports.

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. Stanley Nelson joins us to speak about his film: Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution opening today in San Francisco Bay Area theatres. theblackpanthers.com

2. From the archives: Emory Douglas re: Harvey Milk Photo Center exhibit March 9, 2013; Ericka Huggins re: Black Panther Mixed Tape

3. Kim Epifano, Epiphany Dance company's 12th Annual Trolley Dances, Oct. 17018. We are joined by Kim along with other choreographers and dancers: Byb Chanel Bibene, Kiandanda Dance Theatre, and Zoe Bender, ODC's Pilot 66. Visit http://www.epiphanydance.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. Stanley Nelson joins us to speak about his film: Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution opening today in San Francisco Bay Area theatres. theblackpanthers.com

2. From the archives: Emory Douglas re: Harvey Milk Photo Center exhibit March 9, 2013; Ericka Huggins re: Black Panther Mixed Tape

3. Kim Epifano, Epiphany Dance company's 12th Annual Trolley Dances, Oct. 17018. We are joined by Kim along with other choreographers and dancers: Byb Chanel Bibene, Kiandanda Dance Theatre, and Zoe Bender, ODC's Pilot 66. Visit http://www.epiphanydance.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. We will be joined by Sister Olatokumboh Obasi, an African Queen, Master of Herbal Medicine and Nutrition. Her parents are from Kenya and Nigeria. She operates Three Rivers Free Clinic, an online store and Ola's Herb Shop in Pittsburg, PA. She will be in town Sat., Oct. 10 at Wo'se House of Amen Ra. Her topic is African Spirituality and Mental Health. Visit olasherbshop.com

2. Kwame Shruggs, Ph.D., founder, Alchemy, Inc. http://alchemyinc.net/ and https://www.facebook.com/Alchemy-Inc-231344416972351/timeline/

3. Mr. Edwin Edebiri, Chief Happiness Officer, www.happinessprototype.com/93065

4. Rev. Liza Rankow, Ph.D., founder, OneLife Institute which is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary, Sunday, Oct. in Oakland at Imagine Affairs https://onelifeanniversary.eventbrite.com/

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. We will be joined by Sister Olatokumboh Obasi, an African Queen, Master of Herbal Medicine and Nutrition. Her parents are from Kenya and Nigeria. She operates Three Rivers Free Clinic, an online store and Ola's Herb Shop in Pittsburg, PA. She will be in town Sat., Oct. 10 at Wo'se House of Amen Ra. Her topic is African Spirituality and Mental Health. Visit olasherbshop.com

2. Kwame Shruggs, Ph.D., founder, Alchemy, Inc. http://alchemyinc.net/ and https://www.facebook.com/Alchemy-Inc-231344416972351/timeline/

3. Mr. Edwin Edebiri, Chief Happiness Officer, www.happinessprototype.com/93065

4. Rev. Liza Rankow, Ph.D., founder, OneLife Institute which is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary, Sunday, Oct. in Oakland at Imagine Affairs https://onelifeanniversary.eventbrite.com/