Black etc podcast

Black Theatre, Education, and the “Black Arts Movement” (w/ J.e. Franklin)

The guest for this episode is renowned playwright, author, educator, and activist J.e. Franklin. Ms. Franklin is the founder and producing artistic director of Harlem's Blackgirl Ensemble Theater, Inc. and has written numerous plays, including the seminal "Black Girl," which has been on stage, TV, and film. We discuss her decision to make her home in New York City, after growing up in Houston, her time volunteering with Fannie Lou Hamer and Bob Moses in Mississippi, and how she became involved in theatre. Ms. Franklin explains the connection between theatre and education and speaks eloquently about the need to incorporate philosophy and participatory practices when teaching children. In addition, Ms. Franklin recounted the many Black writers, poets, playwrights, actors, and musicians that thrived in Greenwich Village and Harlem in the 60s and 70s in what would come to be known as "The Black Arts Movement." Finally, Ms. Franklin details the issues she had with the film adaptation of "Black Girl" and lays out why she wasn't a good fit for Hollywood. Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/013-je-franklin [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]

The History & Enduring Legacy of Quiet Storm Radio (w/ Chris Stevens)

My guest is writer and music critic Chris Stevens, who hosts the R&B podcast On The Groove Line. Chris and I discuss the first ever quiet storm R&B radio broadcast by Melvin Lindsey at Howard's WHUR radio station, which aired 50 years ago and sparked an explosion of quiet storm radio programming on Black radio in multiple cities across the U.S. We get into the hallmarks of the music itself and what makes it unique, the subgenre's appeal to different audiences based on age and class, and the social and cultural context surrounding the music. On The Groove Line Podcast site: onthegrooveline.com [https://onthegrooveline.com/] Chris' BlueSky account: bsky.app/profile/christhewriter.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/christhewriter.bsky.social] Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/012-chris-stevens [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]

Ebony Test Kitchen and the 25th National Soul Food Month (w/ Charla L. Draper)

The guest for this episode is Charla L. Draper, Chicago food writer/consultant and former food editor of Ebony & Southern Living. I talk to Ms. Draper about her early Black food writing influences as well as trends in Black and soul food over time. In addition, we discuss the recipe development, testing, and curation efforts she led in the Ebony Test Kitchen and her general role as food editor the publication. Finally, we speak about her motivation to create National Soul Food Month, the annual June soul food celebration that marks its 25th anniversary this year. Charla Draper's Instagram: @charlaldraper [https://www.instagram.com/charlaldraper/] Her food marketing company: itsfoodbiz.net [http://itsfoodbiz.net] National Soul Food Month site: nationalsoulfoodmonth.com [http://nationalsoulfoodmonth.com] Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/011-charla-draper [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]

Put a Ring On It?: Marriage in Modern Black Pop Culture (w/ Dr. Aneeka A. Henderson)

My guest for this episode is Dr. Aneeka Ayanna Henderson, Associate Professor in the Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies Department at Amherst College. Dr Henderson and I discuss the historical, political, and cultural context of Black marriage in the U.S. primarily through the lens of Black American popular culture. We focus heavily on her first book, Veil & Vow, in which she critically analyzes how the popular fiction of Black women writers like Terry McMillan and Sister Souljah, Black films, and popular music frame the concept of marriage in the late '90s & early 2000s. We also talk about marriage in more contemporary pop culture, including the Black Housewives reality TV shows and Black social media gender discourse. Her book: Veil and Vow: Marriage Matters in Contemporary African American Culture: uncpress.org/9781469651767/veil-and-vow/ [https://uncpress.org/9781469651767/veil-and-vow/] Dr. Henderson's Amherst faculty page: amherst.edu/people/facstaff/ahenderson [https://www.amherst.edu/people/facstaff/ahenderson] Full episode notes: blacketcpod.com/episodes/010-aneeka-henderson [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/004-psyche-williams-forson]

The Black Canon: Preserving Material Culture (w/ Alima Wheeler-Trapp & Ali J. Wheeler)

In this episode, I speak with siblings Alima Wheeler-Trapp and Ali J. Wheeler of the arts organization and archive The Black Canon, which is committed to preserving and promoting African American literary, performing, visual and media arts. We spoke about the extensive collection of film, music, theatre, and print items that their father, James E. Wheeler amassed over several years as well as what it takes to share that collection with the world. The Black Canon (black-canon.com [http://black-canon.com]) Full show notes here: blacketcpod.com/episodes/009-black-canon-wheeler [https://www.blacketcpod.com/episodes/008-chef-harper]