S1 E13 Dr. Vanessa Griffith, The importance of remembering "where you came from".

S1 E13 Dr. Vanessa Griffith, The importance of remembering "where you came from".

Dr. Griffith talks with host, Aubrey Phillips about her roots as a Gotham Avenue Elementary School student and her journey through Elmont Memorial High School [https://www.sewanhakaschools.org/Domain/8], The US Army and more. Vanessa remembers her high school teacher Michelle Seeley as "the one [high school] interaction that sticks out". It was Mrs Seeley's recommendation for college, her Guyanese roots and an Elmont community that supports education that charted Vanessa's science / medical direction and her continued dedication to service to community and country.

Let's Talk Gentrification

When County Executive Laura Curran collaborated with Newsday's Randi Marshall to rebut the Elmont Community's well established objection to the central issue regarding the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project, they disclosed publicly what they had been planning privately, the gentrification of Elmont. This podcast replays the comments of two developers as they discuss jobs, gentrification and other unmitigated problems with the development. Curran's silence on the issue of gentrification is deafening. The Closing of Nassau Coliseum complicates the jobs rhetoric or worse, lays bare the subtext of an ill conceived plan to "rebuild" and "arrest future blight".  Blight the community know will be the result of deliberate government inaction.

Census 2020: Let's do better than 60 percent please!

To complete the online 2020 Census survey go to 2020Census.gov [https://my2020census.gov/] and click on the "Start Questionnaire" button. This podcast features an in depth conversation with Mimi Pierre Johnson about the census.  She explains who must be counted and why.  She gives examples of real life consequences when the communities are under counted.

Stadiums, Economic Engines For The Haves - Fool's Gold For The Have-nots

What does the Islander development at Belmont Park mean for local residents?  That’s anyone’s’ guess, but if past is prologue it’s safe to say that Elmont taxpayers are looking at another big promise, no return fools’ errand.

With Liberty and Justice - My God

This week's podcast monologue asks the question, with liberty and justice for ...?  It sits against the backdrop of social protest.  Protests that draw worldwide attention to the well constructed, neatly organized systemic racial injustices endured by Africans and African Americans at the hands, knees and guns of law enforcement. The Conversation is the third in a series of conversations with prominent Jazz musicians.  This conversation was recorded earlier and is part two of the a two-part conversation with trombonist,  Clifton Anderson. Part two of our conversation explores Mr. Anderson's musical journey from Fiorello LaGuardia  High School of Music to present.  We are eagerly anticipation his next release "Been Down This Road Before"  which is part social commentary and undoubtedly his best work to date. During the podcast you will here short selection from Sonny Rollins' "There'll Never Be Another You" featuring  Sonny Rollins · Henry Grimes · Pete LaRoca.  the podcast closes with a brief clip from Clifton Anderson's "Remember This".  "Remember This" is part of his 2012 release of "And So We Carry On".