Bay Poets: 'Decomposing Mystic' by poet Danni Blackman

SHOW: Envisioning, Writing, and Taxing Bay Area Futures

Today, we hear advocates defend their cases for San Francisco’s competing tax propositions. We’re getting into San Francisco props C and D. Then, we hear from a young South Bay organizer on how youth are feeling about voting this year. Then, how James Baldwin inspired this year’s theme for the Bay Area Book Festival.

Taxing the Titans: How will San Francisco tax big business?

Next Tuesday, June 2nd, is California’s 2026 primary election. And there’s a lot for voters to decide on. In San Francisco, two competing propositions have become a high-stakes referendum on how the city taxes its largest employers: Prop C and Prop D. KALW recently hosted a live conversation between proponents of both Props C and D. It was co-presented with the San Francisco Public Press, and moderated by their Executive Director, Lila LaHood. The YES on C side was represented by David Harrison, director of policy at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. And on the YES on D side was represented by Kim Tabelloni, executive director at the San Francisco Labor Council. In this excerpt we’ll hear them explain what they think big business owes to San Francisco, and the people who live here. We start by hearing Kim Tabelloni.

AAPI youth are thinking beyond the ballot box this election year

As we wrap up Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, many in the diaspora will also be getting ready to vote, some for the first time. Next we’ll hear from the younger generation. Ralph Leaño Atanacio works with AAPI Youth. They are a queer Filipinx immigrant, and the Co-Director of the South Bay Youth Changemakers. It’s an organization that builds up Asian American youth voices by fostering leadership and increasing their civic participation. With so much happening in the Bay Area and the world, we wanted to know: what do the younger generations from this diaspora care about? And do they still see elections as the only medium for change? Crosscurrents host Hana Baba spoke with Atanacio and they begin by describing the issues that have become central to their conversations about the future.

Sights + Sounds: Bay Area Book Festival 2026

The Bay Area Book Festival returns to Downtown Berkeley this weekend. There will be many things to learn and experience for book literature lovers of all ages. J.K. Fowler is the executive director of the Festival. He sat down with KALW’s Jenee Darden for “The Sights + Sounds Show.” They spoke about why Fowler sees this year’s theme of “Writing the Future” to be important for these times.

SHOW: Art Addressing Life

Thirty-four Black women from the Bay Area are addressing issues facing their community with a mix of theater, dance and ritual. It’s the final chapter of a House/Full Of Black Women, a special episode from the Kitchen Sisters. Plus, a poem about self-forgiveness.