Music And A Mission: Recent Episodes
Veronica Talton
A journey with oral traditions, music and the arts seeking to raise racial justice awareness among people groups throughout the earth. Seasonal episodes released by host VT with book suggestions on select programs.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions of guests do not necessarily reflect that of the podcast host.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Traditionally, it was a day for prayer and gathering with family in the African American tradition, but it has also come to be a time of focus on education and self-improvement. In this episode, I share the history of the holiday and its origins in the state of Texas. The colors of the Juneteenth flag are red, white and blue, and they reflect three virtues of the Juneteenth slogan: new freedom, new people and a new star.
Juneteenth Foundation: history of the holiday
Juneteenth Menu: Divas Can Cook
Juneteenth Proclamation from the White House
Lift Every Voice And Sing excerpt by harpist Madison Calley (full version on Apple Music Freedom Songs playlist)
What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July? by Frederick Douglass
Book Recommendation:
Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentorsby Marian Wright Edelman
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Congo Square is an open space within Louis Armstrong Park, which is located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, just across Rampart Street north of the French Quarter. The Tremé neighborhood is famous for its history of African American music. My guest, Freddie Williams Evans, has done extensive research on the topic and joins me to discuss the historical landmark. Two books on the subject can be found on Ms. Evans' website. CORRECTION: During the interview, the host VT mislabeled the Fisk Jubilee Singers as being from Tuskegee, when they hailed from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
References from the interview: Essay by Freddie Williams Evans in the book, Dancing In The Streets: Social Aid And Pleasure Clubs Of New Orleans by Judy Cooper
Congo Square: African Roots In New Orleans by Freddie Williams Evans
Hush Harbor: Praying In Secret by Freddie Williams Evans
Ernest Gaines, author
Benjamin Latrobe's sketches
Bamboulaby Louis M. Gottschalk
Soon to be released book onJohn T Scott, sculptor and artistbyFreddie Williams Evans and Anna Rita Scott
If I Can Help Somebody by Mahalia Jackson
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
My guest for this episode is Mr. Ernest Crim, III an award-winning educator, activist, international speaker and author of the Amazon best-seller Black History Saved My Life. Crim and his wife were the targets of a hate crime that went viral in 2016. Since then, he has committed himself to speaking to students to teach them how to reach their full potential using Black History, while also training educators on how to replicate his strategies in the classroom. The African proverb my guest shared during the program is: If you dont know who you are, anybody can name you. If anybody can name you, you'll answer to anything. Mr. Crim can be reached at info@ernestcrim.com or on his social media accounts for speaking engagements.
Facebook: @MrCrimiii
Twitter & Instagram: @MrCrim3
Recommendations:
We Want To Do More Than Survive by Bettina Love
Let Love Lead by Terrian
One Night In Miami by Regina King and Kemp Powers
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This mini-episode is to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose birthday commemoration is today in the United States. I share how the holiday came to be and my thoughts on the progress we have made as a nation in obtaining civil rights and equality.
BOOKS:
A Sweet Smell Of Roses Angela Johnson
The Undefeated Kwame Alexander
Dear Martin Nic Stone
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity In A World Made For Whiteness Austin Channing Brown
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
MUSIC:
Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder
King Holiday King Dream Chorus
Speak Now Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
My third guest this season is Sharon Cho, the lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer & Social Emotional Learning trainer and clinician at QuaverEd. Ms. Cho has been a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, behavior specialist and curriculum writer as well as a Music Director for a Fine Arts Academy. In performance, she has received a Grammy Award for her Background Vocalist role in Tajmo, a collaborative album by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ that took home Best Contemporary Blues Album of the Year. We discussed music, identity and the power of setting boundaries for emotional health. She left listeners with this advice: “You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep yourself warm.” Her book and music recommendations are below:
BOOKS:
The DreamKeepersby Gloria Ladson Billingsley
Strictly No Elephantsby Lisa Mantchez
MUSIC:
Just Fine by Mary J Blige
The music of PJ Morton, New Orleans born songwriter, producer and musician
I'm Beautiful by Christian Aguilera
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
My second guest this season is Dr. Angela Birts, a professional educator, diversity consultant, social entrepreneur and college lecturer based out of the San Francisco Bay Area. On this episode, Dr. Birts discusses her experiences as a Black woman in America and shares several resources and book recommendations. Learn more about her services at https://www.deicapacitybuilding.com/#/. Dr. Birts' recommendations are as follows:
Come Tear Down The Walls cover by Mpoomy and Brenden
Coates, Ta-Nehisi (2015). Between the World and Me.
Desmond, Matthew (2016). Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City.Kendi, Ibram X. (2019). How to Be an Antiracist.Thomas, Angie (2017).The Hate U Give.Morris, Monique W. (2016). Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools.Morrison, Toni (2015). The Bluest Eye.
Girl Trek health movement https://www.girltrek.org/
Kimberle Crenshaw Ted Talk on intersectionality https://www.ted.com/talks/kimberle_crenshaw_the_urgency_of_intersectionality?language=en
Books on Affirming One’s Identity:You Matter By Christian Robinson
Notes to Self: A Journal for Self-Care By Lisa Currie
"We are the ones we have been waiting for..." was penned by poet June Jordan in her Poem For South African Women, and was the parting phrase shared by my guest in this first fall episode. Ericka Huggins is an educator, former political prisoner, human rights advocate, and poet. For 45 years she has lectured in the United States and internationally on Restorative Practices and the role of spiritual practice in creating social change. Ericka speaks on campuses and in community about the importance of inclusive grassroots movements, past and present. You will be inspired by her story and legacy as past director of the Oakland Community School. Ericka's recommendations for Music And A Mission listeners are as follows:
When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Cullors
The Purpose Of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza
Some of Ericka's favorite songs:
- Here Comes The Sun Richie Havens arrangement
- Water No Get Enemy Fela Kuti
- What's Going On? Marvin Gaye
- Ella's Song: We Who Believe In Freedom and the Sweet Honey In The Rock collection
- Everything Must Change and the Nina Simone collection
- The Stevie Wonder collection
In this episode, I discuss creativity and its importance. Creativity is defined as the ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative. Recommendations from this episode are below:
- Out Of Our Minds: The Power Of Being Creative by Sir Ken Robinson
- Phineas & Ferb: an animated musical comedy television series by Dan Povenmire and Jeff Marsh. Produced by Disney, the show is about two stepbrothers, their older sister, neighborhood friends and a pet platypus
Candace Against The Universe trailer https://youtu.be/jcqziqIcJ_g
This episode is in memory of Chadwick Boseman. 8/28/20
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Mesq'al Kebra is a San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneur who shares her journey as an ethnic studies major from Mills College in Oakland. She is co-CEO of Infinite Vortex Of Light. Learn about their projects at https://www.infinitevortexoflight.com/projects. Her book recommendations are:
- A People's History Of The United States by Howard Zinn
- The Revolution Will Not Be Funded by Incite: Women Of Color Against Violence
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Today's guests Ericka & Pride Scott share their story as owners of Honey Art Studio, which is bringing hope for many despite the barriers of incarceration. Restoration, an exhibit of art work by prisoners, will be on display on August 16th at the Yerba Buena Center For The Arts in San Francisco, California. A virtual celebration of art by those who are incarcerated and by other Bay Area community members will also be featured. To make submissions (art, photography, poems, etc.) email honeyartstudio415@gmail.com or visit https://honeyart.net/ for more information. https://ybca.org/ybca-fellows/ Book suggestions from the episode:
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration In The Age Of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
March: Trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
Racial Equity Researcher Dr. Erica Boas joins me for a conversation about race and life as a Japanese American and woman of Jewish heritage. Book suggestions from the episode:
Sylvia & Aki by Winifred Conkling Smoky Skies by Eve Bunting Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong There There by Tommy Orange
I'm an African American woman sharing my thoughts on race and include an original song analysis on the topic. I invite you to subscribe this podcase and share it with others. My goal is for arts and equity unite and to create a community of like minded folks. Thanks so much for listening!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app