Soul Lounge Primetime: Recent Episodes
Robert Ponce
Watch or Listen to Harlem's Most Interesting Conversations - Hosts DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) talk with the artists, politicians, fashion designers, restaurateurs, and community activists that make this diverse community what it is. Soul Lounge Primetime airs on WHCR 90.3 FM New York and livestreams on whcr.org and TuneIn mobile app every Monday evening at 7pm ET Soul Lounge Primetime livestreams on YouTube and Facebook every Monday evening at 8pm ET
100 years ago this October, the world’s first all-black, black-owned professional basketball team was formed here in Harlem. The Rens is a team that predates the NBA, and helped set the stage for the global phenomenon that basketball has become. Our guests have all worked hard to keep the team’s legacy alive. Our guests:
- Claude Johnson, Founder, Black Fives Foundation
- Glenn Hunter, Co-Founder, Harlem Cultural Archives
- Kevin McGruder, Associate Professor of History at Antioch College
- Keisha Sutton-James, Deputy Borough President of Manhattan
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Comic book storytelling is a unique art form that has graduated to TV, film, animation, video games, action figures and merchandise. We talk with three comic book creators who use the art form to express themselves, promote literacy, create intellectual property and tell their own stories.
Guests:
- Rob Taylor - Founder/CEO, Superhuman Works Studios
- AK Lovelace - Professional Artist/Educator, Chair, Media and Design Dept., Harlem School of the Arts
- Lasana Akachi, Superhuman Works Studios
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
In 2022, the video gaming industry in the US was bigger than the film industry, music industry and publishing industry COMBINED. On this show , we talked with three experts who are using gaming and advanced technologies as a springboard for getting youth into growth careers and entrepreneurial opportunities. Our guests:
- Clayton Banks, CEO, Silicon Harlem
- Masaya Heywood, Co-Founder, Outfox Games
- Stan Altman, Founder, Gaming Pathways Program
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
This episode discusses cannabis legalization in New York City. Guests Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer of the Office of Cannabis Management, Esther Lelievre (Queen Mixxy), founder of the Lelievre Foundation, and Dr. Stephen Robinson, President of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, join hosts DJ LeRoy and NightWatchman. Topics include expanding retail cannabis licenses, regulations around cannabis consumption lounges, educating the community on cannabis, addressing misinformation, and more.
The show covers recent progress New York State has made with cannabis legalization, including efforts to open cannabis retail locations owned by those disproportionately impacted by prohibition. Guests address common concerns around regulated cannabis shops and emphasize the extensive regulations enforced by the Office of Cannabis Management. The episode highlights work being done to open up the legal cannabis market equitably while providing opportunities to communities most affected by the War on Drugs.
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
It’s finally here! Harlem Festival of Culture is the live event re-imagining of the legendary 1969 “black Woodstock” festival featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul”. Our guests: Musa Jackson and Nikoa Evans, co-founders of Harlem Festival of Culture (harlemfestivalofculture.com)
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
On this show, we talk with author/poet/filmmaker Kim Ferguson, Janifer P. Wilson, co-owner of Harlem;s own Sisters Uptown Bookstore, and Glenn Gilliam about the importance of supporting and cultivating black authors and black bookstores in our communities.
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
On this episode, we speak with Carmen Neely, CEO and Co-founder of Harlem Pride, and three of Harlem Pride's long-time collaborators and supporters: John Reddick. Adriane Ferguson and Richard Pelzer II.
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on July 3, 2023
Join DJ Leroy and the Night Watchman on this episode of Soul Lounge Primetime, as we discuss what it means to be a Haitian American, with Nancy Chevalier, Dina Simon Leroy, Sam Pierre and Rose Pierre-Louis.
The largest proportion of Haitians in the United States live in Little Haiti in South Florida as well as in major Northeast cities such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and in Chicago and Detroit in the Midwest. During the 1960s and 1970s many Haitians emigrated to the U.S. to escape the oppressive conditions during the dictatorships of François "Papa Doc" and his son Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. Political unrest, economic strains and natural disasters also caused people to emigrate.
In this show we will discuss the long-term effects of debt that Haiti was saddled with after slavery. the importance of education as a path for upward mobility, the US military occupation of Haiti that is almost never taught in American history classes, and potential solutions to Haiti’s current problems.
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on June 25, 2023
A thought-provoking conversation with four guests who identify as Afro Latina /Latino / Latine /Latinx. Our guests:
Melody Capote, Exec. Dir. - Caribbean Cultural Center - African Diaspora Institute
Pedro Hernandez, Semior Mgr.. Harlem Community Development Corp.
Dianne Morales. Social Entrepreneur
Julio Peterson, Vice President, Real Estate, The Shubert Organization
Hosts: Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on June 19, 2023
Our guests on this show help small businesses with resources for all facets of their businesses (planning, marketing, legal, strategy, etc.):
Quenia Abreu, President - New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce (NYWCC) Karen Gershowitz, SCORE mentor, author, consultant Laurie Marshall, Esq. , Patent & Trademark Attorney Natalie Rawlinson, Director of Service Delivery and Community Outreach, The Acceleration Project Gina Ramcharon, Chief Idea Creator, Idea Manufacturer
Hosts: Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on June 12, 2023
As summer approaches, we spoke with people from four organizations that run programs to uplift and employ youth (and others) . Our guests:Ayesha George, Executive Director, Strive NEW YORKShaba Keys, Executive Director, Boys and Girls Club of HarlemRev. Al Cohen, The Community Initiatives of New YorkSteven Melton. Executive Director, Madison Square Boys and Girls ClubHosts: Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on May 29, 2023soulloungeprimetime.com
Harlem continues to attract and host new and interesting restaurant concepts. We gathered four seasoned professionals to talk about their recent or upcoming restaurant openings in Harlem. Our guest chefs:
Jimmy Thomas - Executive Chef, Lavittas - featuring authentic Louisiana creole cuisine
Joel Clacken and Sunil Rangila - Legacy Hospitality - Owner/partners in the re-opening of Minton’s and launch of the new Plush Steakhouse (Caribbean cuisine)
Quie Slobert - Chief Operating Officer, Charles Pan Fried Chicken, one of Harlem’s oldest restaurant brands that has just opened two new locations in Harlem
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on May 1, 2023
Continuing our ongoing series on Legal Cannabis in New York State, we would be remiss if we did not observe 4/20 (the unofficial Cannabis Holiday). This year marks the first April 20th in which cannabis is being legally bought and sold in New York. Our guests include:
Charles Johnson: 1st time guest on Soul Lounge, community cannabis activist and entrepreneur, He is is 2nd Vice Chair of Manhattan’s community board 10 (central Harlem) and serves on the executive committee of the NAACP New York State conference. Mr. Johnson
is the co-founder and CEO of Leafspotz Inc.
Arana Hankin-Biggers is co-owner of Union Square Travel Agency, one of New York's first licensed dispensaries. unionsquaretravelagency.com
Queen Mixxy (Esther Lelievre) is a cannabis educator, entrepreneur and community activist who teaches cannabis education in New York City schools, cannabis awareness to faith-based organizations and cannabis industry advocacy to all who will listen (which is many).
Brian Alejandro is a cannabis connoisseur and returning guest who last joined us before New York State passed its historic legislation legalizing it.
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on April 17, 2023
Live jazz music is having a post-pandemic resurgence in New York City, showing the resilience and enduring qualities of this uniquely American art form. We talked with the men and women who have kept live jazz alive, thriving and accessible to all in New York.
Our guests:
🎺 Kali Rodriguez-Peña, trumpeter
🎺 Wycliffe Gordon, trombonist
🎺 Tracy Hyter-Suffern, Exec. Dir., Nat'l Jazz Museum in Harlem
🎺 Dakota Pippins, Harlem Late Night Jazz
🎺 C. Kelly Wright, Harlem Late Night Jazz
🎺 Albert DeLeon, Board, Nat'l Jazz Museum in Harlem
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of Harlem) on April 10, 2023
In our last installment for Women's History Month, we talked with three performing artists who are pursuing their passions despite the obstacles. Our guests:Omelika Kuumba is a ground-breaking female djembe player in Atlanta, Georgia, She is a dancer, choreographer, musical arranger, cultural arts educator, Founder/CEO of Sistah With A Nia, LLC.MaeOla Bolton is a soulful singer whose music is rooted in gospel music and shaped by soul, blues and R&B. A former basketball player, she has performed music both nationally and internationally.Janice Marie Robinson began her entertainment career as a dancer. and she transitioned into a singer whose style encompasses Jazz, R&B, Island, Funk, Pop and Blues. She has a unique blend of songs that are familiar and memorable to her audiences, plucked from the soundtrack of their lives.Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of harlem) on April 3, 2023http://soulloungeprimetime.com
Continuing our look into Women's Entrepreneurship during March, we invited three mentorpreneurs to talk about the role mentoring has in addressing gender-specific challenges barriers to entrepreneurship. Our guests:
Vanee Brown and Elizabeth Kim from NFTE (Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship) and
Dina Towbin, Founder of Dina Towbin Consulting.Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
Continuing our March celebration of women, we talked with some of Harlem's longtime women entrepreneurs about the trials and triumphs of building a sustainable business in Harlem. Our guests:⭐Jessica Spaulding, Founder and CEO. Harlem Chocolate Factory founded this artisan chocolate brand in 2015 with Asha Dixon, COO⭐Diane DaCosta. Founder/CEO, SimpleeBEAUTIFUL, is an author, master pioneer texture hair expert and brand consultant with over 30 plus years in the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industry. ⭐Kimberly Gray is an entrepreneur, patent owner, and CEO of Uvii, a minority-owned M/WBE-certified New York City-based technology company.⭐Princess Jenkins is an award-winning retailer and founder, chief visionary, speaker and marketing strategist for Harlem’s Crown Jewel, The Brownstone (reaching the milestone of 25 years in business this year).Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
On International Women’s Day, four amazing Native American women had a chance to tell their stories at the United Nations. They joined us to talk about the challenges facing Native people and Native women in particular. From the reservation to the global stage, our guests Dr. Crystal Lee is an infectious disease expert with a focus on Native American health and Indigenous health policies at a tribal, state-tribal coordination, national, and international level. She is Founder of UnitedNatives.org, and an entrepreneur who owns two basketball teams and a fashion line. Accompanying her is Dr. Ebony Granados (UnitedNativesHealth.com), Erin Johns and Cheyanne Begay. We talk about native health inequities during the pandemic, the grossly under-reported issues with attacks on Native women, and even basketball!Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
And so it begins. Legal adult-use cannabis dispensaries are gradually opening up, signalling the official start of NY's newest (and presumably fastest growing) industry. There are still a few kinks in the process, and not all license categories are active yet. And certain communities are still pushing back with NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) objections. We talked about the opportunities and obstacles with three cannapreneurs:Alana Hankin-Biggers, Founder, Union Square Travel AgencyVladimir Bautista, Founder, The Happy MunkeyEsther Lelievre, CEO. Mixxy's BlossomHosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
Basketball culture has been a pathway for many black youth to pursue higher educational goals and a pipeline to productive lives. That didn't happen by accident. Our panelists have helped thousands of scholar-athletes:Russell Shuler, Founder, YES (Youth Education through Sports)Bob McCullough, Sr.. Co-Founder, Nat'l Assn. of Each One Teach OneGeorge Ball,,Vice President, Nat'l Assn. of Each One Teach OneEric Hicks, Founder/CEO, Game Over Sports & Entertainment LLCHOSTS: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
In Part Two of our series on police brutality and accountability, we gathered three noted attorneys who have been at the forefront of these issues. Our guests:Jonathan Moore, Esq. is a criminal defense and civil rights attorney who has ben part of number of high profile cases in New York. He was lead counsel on the stop-and-frisk case against New York CIty, he represented the family of Eric Garner, he represented the Exonerated Five, among many other cases in a long career.Mutaqee Akbar is a defense attorney and civil rights advocate based in Tallahassee, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Morehouse College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law, where he served as President of the Black Law Student Association and Vice President of the Southern Regional Black Law Student’s Association. Mutaqee has extensive experience representing clients facing a range of charges in both state and federal court. He is the managing partner of Akbar Thomas Law Firm and also serves as President of the Tallahassee Branch NAACP. He is an active member of the Florida Bar and has received several awards for his work as a community advocate. Mutaqee is also a philanthropist and enjoys spending time with his son.Professor Wallace Ford II is a highly educated individual, holding degrees from both Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to promoting human rights and combating police brutality. Professor Ford has been involved in higher education for the last couple of decades and is currently a tenured professor at Medgar Evers College, part of the City University of New York. He teaches courses related to criminal justice and the operation of criminal law. In addition to his academic pursuits, Professor Ford has been involved with the Harlem Lawyers Association, the predecessor of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, where he served as its president. Professor Ford is looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations about unspoken truths related to these issues.HOSTS: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)soulloungeprimetime.com
Our guests in this show are more than Harlem legends; they are renowned globally for decades of producing compelling culturally rich theater productions and developing and mentoring an amazing array of actors , writers and directors, setting the standards for storytelling from the stage. Needless to say, they've got stories! Joining us in the Lounge are:✦Voza Rivers, Executive Producer/Founding Member - New Heritage Theater Group✦John Ruiz Miranda, Founder, THe East Harlem Repertory Theater✦Vy Higgenson, Executive Director, Mama Foundation for the Arts in Harlem and writer/producer/director -"Mama I Want To Sing"Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM (The Voice of harlem) on April 3, 2023http://soulloungeprimetime.com
In the wake of Tyre Nichol's murder by police officers in Memphis, we reached out to four NYPD veterans to hear their voices on this tragedy. They co-founded and now consult for Public Safety Reimagined LLC on issues of public safety and police policy Our guests: Dwayne Montgomery (Executive Leader). Dr. Evelyn Garcia, Derek Jackson and Charlane Brown, Esq. Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) www.soulloungeprimetime Aired on WHCR 90.3 FM on 2/6/23
Last year’s The Atlantic article stated the following, “YES, SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY IS UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY.” The article went on further to state, “Social media has changed life in America in a thousand ways, and nearly two out of three Americans now believe that these changes are for the worse. But academic researchers have not yet reached a consensus that social media is harmful. That’s been a boon to social-media companies such as Meta, which argues, as did tobacco companies, that the science is not settled.”
On tonight’s Soul Lounge Primetime we’ll discuss social media and how people get their news; also how we now have a Republican Party still dominated by Trump and his allies, where believers in election fraud fantasies are working across the country to seize control over the nuts and bolts of election administrations (so-called “election subversion”). These post-2020 developments are combining with deep-seated anti-democratic impulses in the GOP to put us on a path toward stolen elections and a system rigged in the GOP’s favor.
Please join DJ LeRoy and The Night Watchman, as tonight’s guests will be: Ester R. Fuchs, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science and Director of the Urban and Social Policy Program at Columbia University; Dr. Basil Smikle, Jr., Distinguished Lecturer and Director of the Public Policy Program at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College; Wallace Ford, II, Professor of Public Administration at Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York; and James J. Archer, Senior Policy Analyst for the New York City Office of the Mayor.
Curtis Archer & Bob Poncé
Producers and Co-hosts
Soul Lounge Primetime
WHCR 90.3 FM - The Voice of Harlem
Livestream on YouTube and Facebook
www.soulloungeprimetime.com
When businesses and bankers bond, it facilitates faster growth, better strategies, effective pivots (if necessary), and creating long term sustainability. Our guests talk about their experiences and how the banker - business relations helped the business owners in achieving their goals.
Guests: Adan Morales, Moravilla LLC, a real estate firm in the Bronx;
Padmore John, Tsion Cafe, an Ethiopian restaurant in Harlem;
Vanessa Blanco and Jomoke "Joy" Fagbayi, Senior Business Consultants, Chase Bank Hosts:
DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
www.soulloungeprimetime
As tourism returns to New York City, Harlem benefits from being a primary destination to so many visitors. Shops such as Harlem Underground, NiLu Gift Shop and Grandma's Place authentically represent the culture and community of Harlem and enhance the visitor's experience in Harlem.
Our Guests:
Katrina Parris, NiLu Gift Shop; Carolyn Johnson, WelcomeToHarlem.com and Harlem-opoly ; Leon Ellis, Harlem Underground and Chocolat ; Dawn Harris-Martine and Chelsea Grant, Grandma's Place
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) Aired on WHCR 90.3FM - The Voice of Harlem
www.soulloungeprimetime.com
With the first sales of legal marijuana in New York State commencing, we take a look back at the milestones and challenges in launching a new industry (while jumpstarting a new state agency). Our guests: Hon. Crystal Peoples-Stokes, NY Assembly Majority Leader; Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer, NYS Office of Cannabis Management; Esther LeLievre, Cannabis Educator
Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
Aired on WHCR 90.3FM - The Voice of Harlem
Last year, Soul Lounge Primetime did two shows on anti-Asian violence and the challenges facing primarily Asian communities such as NYC's Chinatown. , In this show, Jan Lee, local businessman, community activist and 3rd generation Chinatown resident, returns to the show along with Karen Cho, director/ producer of Big Fight In Little Chinatown, a documentary that delves into the historic challenges that face most Chinatowns, no matter where they are located. We talk about racism, gentrification, population displacement and the parallels that also face Harlem and black and brown communities. Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) Aired live on WHCR 90.3 FM on Nov 21, 2022
On the eve of the 2022 election, the potential implications of the results are huge at all levels of government. Join us and our guests Dr. Basil Smikle Jr. and Prof. Wallace Ford II as we talk about this election, the factors that got us to this point and what we could see going forward.
Share, Watch, Listen and VOTE!
DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé)
www.soulloungeprimetime.com
Back in a time when FM radio was just starting to overtake AM, the voices of our guests became an integral part of the soundtrack of New York City and helped to change the sound of radio throughout the country and the world. Their voices were heard on WBLS, WRVR, 92 KTU, CD 101.9, 98.7 KISS and WBGO. They have gone on to become producers, entrepreneurs and voiceover stars and on this show they share their stories and memories of how it all started. Soul Lounge Primetime welcomes NYC radio legends Pat Prescott, G. Keith Alexander and Vy Higgensen. Hosts: DJ LeRoy (Curtis Archer) and NightWatchman (Bob Poncé) soulloungeprimetime.com