WGRL NYC

In this inaugural episode of “Meet the Staff” our young journalists interview our beloved Education Specialist Berry! Featuring Berry’s original song entitled “Star Stuff” and original poetry, enjoy this snapshot of a talented star continually on the rise! Stay tuned to meet more of the fabulous people behind the scenes at Girls Club as our profile series continues.

Lacresha Berry, better known as Berry, is a singer/songwriter, actress, poet, educator, and published writer from Queens by way of Lexington, Kentucky. She received her BA in Theatre from the University of Kentucky. She honed her playwriting skills there and went on to produce three one woman shows since 2002. Her last one woman show, “Browngirl. Bluegrass.” documented her life as a brown girl coming of age in the bluegrass state of Kentucky. She’s performed all over the country with the show as well as singing and hosting all over NYC. Her latest one woman show, TUBMAN, a reimagining of Harriet Tubman’s life as a young girl in Harlem, debuted to packed audiences in her hometown of Lexington, Ky, and NYC, with additional performances in San Diego, Rikers Island, New Bedford Massachusetts, Sacramento and Tubman’s birthplace in Cambridge, MD. When she’s not performing, she’s teaching spoken word to middle and high school students in the Bronx, conducting educational workshops, and writing curriculum. She is currently writing her debut YA novel, “Seeing Janelle”

WGRL got a reboot this summer with our mighty “Podcast Power” class! We learned the ins and outs of the pod biz, did some recording, created a confessional booth and even visited “the Daily” at the New York Times!

Just in time for Halloween while the veils between worlds are the thinnest we are releasing our convo on reincarnation! Please enjoyed this youth generated content and don’t forget to leave a 5 star review for the hard working team!

In this podcast WGRL sits down with Magnolia Bakery, while they update us on their latest treats and we taste test some as well! Please tune in as we give you a dip into audible flavor town, making this podcast as sweet as the desserts we ate!

We stay ready at WGRL/Podcast Power! When we got word that our fabulous big sis Bella Hadid was coming by to tour the sound studio we saved a seat and a microphone for her!

Whew – it’s been rough out there in the world so we thought we would slow down a bit and do some serious self care. Our friend the amazing healer, yogi and performer Shelley Nicole stopped by to lead us in a soothing meditation and then we tried our hand at writing and recording our own guided meditation. InJoy the vibes – we wish everyone an easeful, peaceful 2024!

The Lower East Side Girls Club was proud to be an artist- residence in historic Governor’s Island for the 2023 season. Take a ride on the ferry with Sound Studio Director Kelly Webb and Erikka James, Director of Programs, as they tour the house and speak to some of our visitors to the exhibit entitled “Memory Lab”.

Shout out to Girls Club instructors and artists in residence Amarilis Jimenez, Deanna Greene, Destiny Mata, Erikka James, Kelly Adams, L. Vargas, Mary Adams, Mia Montalvo and Sinjun Strom who created a touching exhibit beautifully curated by Sienna Fekete and featuring work created in collaboration with Girls Club members.

Joseph Capehart is a poet and educator pushing the needle when they can and flipping the table when they must. Black, queer, and concerned with freedom, they are the founder of The Garden, an abolitionist bookstore and community well in Brooklyn.

This conversation is part of a collaboration with our mentor, artist and instigator  jackie sumell and MoMA PS1 which resulted in an exhibition at PS1 entitled “Freedom to Grow“.

In the Summer of 2021 the Growing Abolition class produced a series of four podcasts delving into Abolitionist Worldview as part of the course work.

Sophia Dawson is a Brooklyn based visual artist who has dedicated her life’s work to exposing the stories and experiences of individuals who are striving to overcome the injustices they face.

This conversation is part of a collaboration with our mentor, artist and instigator  jackie sumell and MoMA PS1 which resulted in an exhibition at PS1 entitled “Freedom to Grow“.

In the Summer of 2021 the Growing Abolition class produced a series of four podcasts delving into Abolitionist Worldview as part of the course work.

Timothy James Young is a poet, writer, abolitionist and wrongfully convicted man who is currently incarcerated on Death Row in San Quentin State Prison.

This conversation is part of a collaboration with our mentor, artist and instigator  jackie sumell and MoMA PS1 which resulted in an exhibition at PS1 entitled “Freedom to Grow“.

In the Summer of 2021 the Growing Abolition class produced a series of four podcasts delving into Abolitionist Worldview as part of the course work.