Beyond the Report: Recent Episodes
Texas Tech Public Media | Kaysie Ellingson, Jon Seaborn, Sarah Self-Walbrick
Beyond the Report is an anthology series designed to take a deep look at issues surrounding the Lubbock, Texas community.
S2P4: In 1923, the city of Lubbock established an ordinance confining African Americans to an eastern area of the city. Out of that confinement grew a tight-knit community of educators, innovators and leaders. In this episode, we explore an area known as "the flats"—one of the first Black communities within Lubbock. We hear the stories of the leaders who came from "the flats." As current leadership pushes the community forward, they reflect on aspects of the past that helped East Lubbock flourish—that need restoration and preservation.
S2P3: With little opportunity for African American pharmacists at the height of Jim Crowe, Alfred and Billie Caviel eventually found it in the flat, dusty town of Lubbock. In the 60s, when Lubbock was segregated, the Caviels opened a successful pharmacy that eventually became a celebration of Black history in the city. As one Lubbock local points out, it’s important to remember the roots of Black history exist in Lubbock’s own community and were planted by trailblazers like the Caviels.
S2N5: Down Parkway Drive, businesses dot the side of the road. But you also see empty buildings and shopping centers—some, in pretty rough shape. Cosby Morton said it wasn’t always like this. Money stayed within the community rather than being spent on another side of town...That changed after desegregation and urban renewal efforts led by the city that caused a shift in population, recalled Morton.
S2N4: After putting in hundreds of hours of what’s called “sweat equity,” Charlotte Ellis is now a homeowner through Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. Her home is in the Talkington addition of the Parkway-Cherry Point neighborhood. Habitat for Humanity calls it a hand up, not a handout. Aspiring homeowners have to put in the work and meet certain criteria to get the keys to a front door.
S2P2: AJ McCleod was raised by within the tight community of East Lubbock. Even after moving out of the neighborhood, he still considers it home. Following two tragedies that struck the McCleod family—ripping prominent men out of AJ’s life—ending gun violence became his mission.
S2N2: Jafar Abdullah brought three books to read lakeside at his neighborhood park. The top book is about the history of Islam, and the bottom book is about poverty. In the middle is “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander—a title Abdullah said came highly recommended by one of his mentors. The 2012 book challenges the idea of racial colorblindness in the criminal justice system. It equates the mass incarceration of Black Americans to a class system that can affect generations—an issue Abdullah thinks about often—especially when he’s working with kids through the mentorship program he started.
S2N2: On a mild Monday evening, people cast their lines into the Historic Dunbar Lake, hoping a fish will bite. At the other end of the park system, families picnic and walk the trails along Conquistador Lake. This is how Mari Huerta thinks of the Canyon Lakes system—a tranquil slice of nature. She’s enjoyed the North Lubbock lakes since she was a kid. Huerta still enjoys the lakes. But she no longer dips her toes in.“You can’t even do that now,” she said. “The water is so slimy.”
S2P1: In this community profile, three generations of East Lubbock residents unpack their family’s legacy in the Hub City. George Woods, established himself as a prominent, trusted businessman despite the barriers in place for Black men in the 30s, 40s and 50s. His descendants have all dedicated their lives to education—a passion they say started with him. In this episode, hear first-hand accounts of the Holmes family, whose roots span decades of Lubbock’s history.
S2N1: Community advocate Natalie Miller has sounded the alarm for years now. She presented her position clearly at a recent Coffee with the Mayor event at the only grocery store in East Lubbock. This isn’t the first time Miller has talked with the mayor about the changes she wants to see in her neighborhood.
S1E10: Author and Texas Tech University PhD candidate Jessica Smith has lived all over the U.S. and has experienced all forms of sexual harassment. Lubbock is no exception to that. Now, she strives to hold a mirror up to society and highlight the microaggressions that lead to much larger problems.
S1E9: Michelle Lewark found herself isolated in an abusive relationship after running away with her boyfriend at 15. Eventually, her life was saved by the bite of a brown recluse spider. What started as a near-death experience, ended with a fresh start at life when she finally found the support she needed to leave her abuser for good.
S1E8: Each woman who walks through the doors of the New Legacy Home for Women comes with a different story and set of struggles. Here, they get to press the restart button on their life. Shanna Hargrave, the Executive Director of New Legacy, started the organization about a year ago after realizing the need Lubbock had for an organization like this.
S1E7: Linda Mogilnicki is a former stay-at-home mother who found herself homeless after her husband left her and kicked her out of their home. Although she is starting over from scratch, she is starting over with the help of a fellow mother.
S1E6: Tammy Fife went from stay-at-home-mother to single-mom over night. Now, she’s turned her heartache into action, and has become a source of support for single mothers all over Lubbock.
S1E5: On this episode, we’re invited into unpack ministry lead by Poppy Beard. What started as a prison ministry became a safety net for Lubbock women coming from all walks of life.
S1E4: Danielle Ratliff is a single mother to three children. She has worked at the same company for nine years, and in spite of her education, experience and hard work, she’s routinely passed up for promotion and raises by white men in her company.
S1E3: We’re invited along with Louise Anders and Lydia Salas on their pursuit of an education. While one is still a teenager and the other should be settling into retirement, the two share one thing in common: both point to teenage pregnancy as their reason for dropping out of school.
S1E2: Lupe Cook's second cancer diagnosis left her with a six-figure medical bill. Lupe is a Lubbock native who found a community of support within the walls of this small church overlooking Buffalo Springs Lake.
S1E1: Kristen Windham found herself living in a nightmare when her marriage to a former police officer turned violent immediately following their wedding. She describes the night that violence nearly took a deadly turn, and convinced her to find a way out.