Did you know that the state of California had a history of slavery?
If you didn’t know – and most people see California as a long time bastion of liberalism and freedom – then please check out the video below. It was spearheaded by one of my good friends and the ACLU of Northern California’s communications director, Candice Francis. She enlisted a former star student of mine, Howard University alum Pendarvis Harshaw, to tell this story.
It’s eye opening.
On April 25, 2023, the world lost a gifted artist and committed activist – a man who was never shy about speaking (or singing) truth to power.
With his passing, Harlem born Harry Belafonte joined his long time friend and fellow artist Sidney Poitier among the ancestors. Both men will be sorely missed.
During the early 2000s in the Howard University Department of Media, Journalism and Film in Washington DC, we had the pleasure of honoring Belafonte with an award named for one of the men who inspired him – singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson.
After our awards ceremony, Belafonte conducted a master class in which he shared information about his life, his career and his commitment to civil and human rights.
To hear the radio program we produced based on this master class – a study in wisdom, courage and artistic integrity – click here.
With all of the constantly shifting, confusing and even frustrating machinations in America’s political world, you might wonder what drives the men and women behind the headlines and news stories. Perhaps no one is more fascinating a personality than Nancy Pelosi – the first woman to serve as Congress’ Speaker of the House.
In her bestselling biography, simply titled Pelosi, journalist Molly Ball explores the life of this experienced and polarizing politician. Fellow biography and former journalist John A. Farrell interviews Molly Ball, and their revelatory discussion is available on the Biographers International Organization podcast – on which I serve as a producer.
Click HERE to listen and to be engaged.