The Upside VT

The Upside VT: Fortunes with Shomari Wills

Shomari Wills, author of "Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires." discusses the fascinating stories and explores the underlying values of the individuals who overcame tremendous challenges to succeed and transform post-Civil War America. We also talk about Shomari's own journey writing the book. Shomari Wills is a journalist. He has worked for One Caribbean Television as a reporter, CNN where he served as a producer for Don Lemon, and Good Morning America where he won an Emmy as a producer. He has also contributed Slate and Vice. Currently he is developing a TV adaption of Black Fortunes with Dear White People producer Stephanie Allain. He is also hard at work writing a follow up to Black Fortunes and a young adult book. Shomari received an undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and a graduate degree from Columbia University, where he was named a Lynton Book Writing Fellow. Shomari was born and raised in Washington DC and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. This interview is part two of the Fortunes show, see part one with Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant, Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the University of Vermont. Both interviews are inspired by "To Sing of Common Things: Making A Way Out of No Way," an even series moderated by Dr. Heading-Grant at the Clemmons Family Farm. To learn more: clemmonsfamilyfarm.org

The Upside VT: Fortunes with Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant

Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant and I discuss her inspiring path to leadership and the importance of networks of support and sponsorship for women of color. Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant is the Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the University of Vermont. Throughout her years of leadership, she has been recognized for her dedication to social justice, and establishing programs and policies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion to the classroom and the workplace. She has received numerous awards, including the 2019 Women Worth Watching Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal, the 2018 University of Vermont Alumni Achievement Award, and the 2018 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Individual Leadership Award. Heading-Grant is a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Education and Social Services and a member of the graduate faculty at UVM, with certifications from Yale University, Harvard University, and the Society for Human Resource Management. This interview is part one of the Fortunes show, see part two with author Shomari Wills. Both interviews are inspired by "To Sing of Common Things: Making A Way Out of No Way," an even series moderated by Dr. Heading-Grant at the Clemmons Family Farm. To learn more: clemmonsfamilyfarm.org

The Upside VT: KTOG with Jen Arbuckle, Kelly Otty, and Angela Zaikowski from Must Love Yarn

How is knitting a community activity? How is it not? I talk with Jen Arbuckle, Kelly Otty, and Angela Zaikowski, the owners of Must Love Yarn, the LYS (local Yarn store) in Shelburne, VT, about fiber arts, community, and how it all knits together (get it?). This conversation sets us up for the World Wide Knit in Public Day, this Saturday, June 8th. The second hour features an eclectic playlist of songs with themes of knitting, knotting, sweaters and wool, including Sufjan Stevens, Sophie Madeleine, Bjork, and The Greyboy Allstars. GUEST BIOS: A practicing healthcare architect for 25+ years and a voracious knitter, Jen Arbuckle balances her two work passions with her love of gardening and travel and a little volunteer work on the side. As an almost life-long Vermonter, she loves that being one of the co-owners at Must Love Yarn gives us the opportunity to build a knitting community that includes other knitters and farmers and fiber-lovers of all kinds. Kelly Otty is currently manager and one of three co-owners at Must Love Yarn. She enjoys teaching knitting & crochet and especially loves to teach people who are new to these fiber arts. As a Vermonter from many generations and a graduate of UVM’s College of Agriculture, she appreciates working with the local shepherds who provide Must Love Yarn with gorgeous, locally produced wool yarns. Angela Zaikowski is a practicing attorney who has found her creative outlet with knitting and as a co-owner of Must Love Yarn. Although she has a more behind the scenes role in running the business, you can find her on the weekly Must Love Yarn podcast where her knitting and yarn shenanigans are shared with the community. She is a self-taught knitter who can be found knitting away at various sporting events and meetings. LEARN MORE: https://mustloveyarn.com/ https://www.wwkipday.com/

The Upside VT: Agency with Jen Berger and At the Root

At the Root is a new project that creates events and conversations that promote social justice work in community settings. I talk with creator jen berger about her work and how it taps into a very timely need for connection and action. More about jen: jen berger is a interdisciplinary, socially-engaged artist based in Burlington, VT. She uses painting, printmaking, multi-media, and performance for education and dialogue around social issues that affect us all. attherootvt.com

The Upside VT: Sister City with Margarita Antonio and Dan Higgins

Burlington, VT has been sister cities with Bilwi, Nicaragua (also known as Puerto Cabezas on some maps) since the mid 1980s. For decades, community radio and television advocate Margarita Antonio, has worked to build independent community-focused media resources in Bilwi, and to connect with folks here in Vermont. In this podcast, we talk about her work, communication, long-distance collaboration, and more. We're joined by Vermont photographer and community media advocate, Dan Higgins.