Spirit of Black America: Recent Episodes
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Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Listen in on how Booker T. Washington went from growing up on a dirt floor to being the first African American printed on a US coin. Joining us to tell the story is Professor Jackie Moore of Austin College and Park Ranger Betsy Haynes from the Booker T. Washington National Monument.
Dr. Bernie D. invites Professor Carl Hart to talk about the unfamiliar world of the school to prison pipeline, the incarceration system and it’s connection to America’s drug policy. This is the last interview in our "The Other 99% of America" series during the month of October.
Bernie gets the answers on the current state of the achievement gap and our country’s current situation when it comes to social mobility. He invites Professor Odis Johnson to have an in-depth discussion about minorities and the lack of social mobility in America.
Bernie gets the answers on the current state of the achievement gap and our country’s current situation when it comes to social mobility. He is joined by Professor Odis Johnson from the University of Maryland to have an in-depth discussion about minorities and the lack of social mobility in America.
Bernie discusses the importance of Thurgood Marshall breaking the color line of the Supreme Court and the legacy of his career. The discussion features Johnny C. Taylor Jr. the President and CEO of the President & CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, as they take a deeper look at the impact Thurgood Marshall has had on America today, especially with the establishment of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Bernie discusses the significance of James Meredith; the first African American to integrate Ole Miss in 1963. He invites Dr. Charles K. Ross, a professor at Ole Miss, to give an expert account of what it was like for James Meredith to be a student at Ole Miss during the racial tensions of the 1960's and the influence of James Meredith in a discussion of a post-racial America.
**The Importance of D.C Statehood (Voting Rights,** **Budget Autonomy** **& Statehood)** Bernie discusses why D.C residents and Americans should care about D.C Statehood. The discussion features Anise Jenkins, Executive Director of Free DC, Kim Perry, Executive Director of DC Vote and Michael Brown, Shadow Senator for DC.
GWU recent graduate Kwasi Agyeman and Howard University student Kenneth Miles discuss the history of Pan Africanism with Professor Gnaka Lagorke. This episode connects the importance of Pan Africanism to the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference on October 9-12, 2013 in Lafayette, Louisiana. The conversation about the conference featured Maxine Esdaille, the Conference Chair, Karen Primeaux, Vice President of Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and Lena, a representative from the conference.
Dr. Demczuk discusses the legacy of NFL Hall of Famer "Fritz" Frederick Douglass Pollard. He is joined by Cyrus Mehri, the Head Counsel of the Fritz Alliance as they talk about the importance of the "Rooney Rule" and the continued efforts of the Fritz Pollard Alliance to increase minority hiring in NFL coaching roles.
Kwasi Agyeman discusses the importance of Whitney Young Jr and the PBS film "Powerbroker" with the film's executive producer Bonnie Boswell. The discussion also included a representative from the National Black Arts Festival.
Dr. Bernie is joined by Fred Gray, who led the case against the U.S Gov’t upon discovering the Tuskegee Experiment and assisted in the famous Rosa Parks case. (He's 82 years old) and Alondra Nelson, a world renowned professor at Columbia, she wrote a book about Black Panthers and medical discrimination.
Dr. Bernie is joined by Yale University's Dr. Elijah Anderson for a discussion on the State of Black American in the aftermath of the Zimmerman verdict. Where to from here?
Dr. Bernie discussed the "50 Years Post Birmingham" exhibit with Audra Buck-Coleman, Assistant Professor of Design at the University of Maryland. Also, this week in Black History.
Kwasi Agyeman discusses the role of enslaved laborers in the construction of the U.S Capitol with Professor Felicia Bell of Savannah State University.
Preservation of the Frederick Douglass Home and Statue unveiling in the Capital Rotunda with special guest, Audrey Peterman.
Kwasi Agyeman hosts Smithsonian curators, Harry Rubenstein and Nancy Bercaw in a discussion about the NMAH African-American exhibit "Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963.
Dr. Bernie discusses the historical Plessy vs. Ferguson case with Professor Michael Ross from University of Maryland and author Keith Weldon Medley.
Dr. Bernie is joined by Dr. Leslee Stradford, Professor of Fine Art at Laney College and expert on the riots of 1921 in Oklahoma.
Join Dr. Bernie D for an enlightening and educational conversation with Michigan Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
A huge welcome back to Dr. Bernie D - after a short absense, Bernie is back to examine this day, and this week, in African-American history, including an interesting take on the work of ex-DC Mayor Marior Barry.
Kwasi Agyeman welcomes guests, Dr. Raymond Dowsell, V.P. of Curatorial Services at the Negro League Baseball Museum, Bill Francis, Librarian from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Dr. Richard Zarnoff, Director of the Jackie Robinson Society, to talk about the impact and historical importance of WIlie Mays.
Kwesi Agyeman is joined by two DC based Hip-Hop artists to discuss the influence and importance of James Brown. Some of his most sampled work is highlighted.
Kwesi Agyeman is joined by social commentator Derrick Ashong for a look at the connection between music and information. Then, baseball coach John Macarthy and Dr. Robert Zarnoff from GW University talk about the impact and legacy of Jackie Robinson.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Today in Black History highlights jazz great Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Bernie digs into Malcolm, MLK and the comedy of Eddie Murphy.
Dr. Bernie D digs into this Week in Black History and then a look at the impact of Blacks in the Arts, including the contributions of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe.
Dr. Bernie goes through This Week in Black History and then the movies and impact of Spike Lee are discussed.
The impact of Musician James Reese Europe is examined as well as Frederick Douglas and more in Today in Black History.
Dr. Bernie runs through the day in Black History and then examines the Oscars winner and losers with a deeper examination of Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" and Steven Speilberg's "Lincoln".
Dr. Bernie is joined by John Muller, author of "Frederick Douglas in Washington, DC" to examine his importance and the significance of his time in the Washington, DC area.
A study of Preacher/Abolitionist Henry Highland Garrett on the anniversary of his death.bolish
Dr. Bernie digs deep into the history, legacy and importance of Reggae great, Bob Marley, on what would've been his 68th birthday.
Celebrating her birthday, Sharon Pratt Dixon examines her tenure as mayor DC as well as the changing landscape of politics, elections, DC's inner workings and hope for the future. Dr. Bernie D. also looks back on this day in Black History.
A look at controversial and legendary writer Richard Wright. Also, remembering the 1986 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Examination of Blacks in Medicine with a focus on Dr. Charles Richard Drew. Also, this day in Black History with some historic soundbites from Muhammad Ali.
Dr. Bernie D is joined by Dr. Dana Williams, Chair of Howard University's English Department, to discuss the importance and significance of Black Literature in society; specifically, they investigate the impact of poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
Celebrating the birth, life and work of Carter G. Woodson and his Association of the Study of African American Life and History with its executive director Sylvia Cyrus."
It's the 27th anniversary of the formation of the National Association of Black Journalists. Listen as Dr. Bernie D reflects on this day in Black History as well as an insightful interview with Dorothy Gilliam, one of the past Presidents of the NABJ. Listen as she examines the importance, issues and progress the organization has made.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
The role of HBCUs in modern society.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Episode 10 - South African Embassy Sit-ins Anniversary.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
History of African American Voting
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Blacks in Literature and Poetry part 2.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Dr. Bernie's fifth episode discusses "Blacks in Literature."
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
This week, Dr. Bernie discusses Blacks in Baseball.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
Today in Black History, Sept. 19 and the state of Black Business in America.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.
The Premiere of The Spirit of Black America with Dr. Bernie D in DC.
Dr. Bernie Demczuks’ Spirit of Black America focuses on the wonder and wisdom of examining African American history and culture from an Afro-Centric perspective. The show pays homage to ancestors within a community of knowledge and wisdom re-discovered from West African spirituality.