Black Austin Matters

Black Austin Matters > All Episodes

May 4, 2026

Black Austin Matters Returns for Season 4 — Premiering Wednesday, May 6

By: Elizabeth McQueen

This season, Black Austin Matters continues to spotlight the voices shaping Austin’s culture, history, and future. You’ll hear from recording artist Mama Duke, a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent, Austin native and civic leader Eric Byrd, and entrepreneur and Longhorn legend Fran Harris, who helped lead the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team to a national championship in 1986.

Black Austin Matters is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

The full transcript of this episode of Black Austin Matters is available on the KUT & KUTX Studio website. The transcript is also available as subtitles or captions on some podcast apps.

Richard J. Reddick: I’m Richard j Reddick.

Lisa B. Thompson: And I’m Lisa B. Thompson. And this is Matters. This is season four four of Black Austin Matters. This season we’ll sit down with voices shaping the culture and community of Austin, including

Richard J. Reddick: recording artist Mama Duke, who’s a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent,

Lisa B. Thompson: Austin native and civic leader Eric Byrd,

Richard J. Reddick: an entrepreneur and Longhorn Legend Fran Harris,

Lisa B. Thompson: who helped lead the University of Texas Women’s Basketball Team to a national championship.

In 1986,

Miles Bloxson: season four of Black Austin Matters starts on May 6th. You can listen on kp.org or wherever you get your podcast.

This transcript was transcribed by AI, and lightly edited by a human. Accuracy may vary. This text may be revised in the future.


Episodes

May 6, 2026

Fran Harris – Part 1

Basketball champion, entrepreneur and author Fran Harris talks with Lisa and Rich about what it means to be a champion, lessons her mother taught her about resilience, being part of the 1986 Women’s National Championship team at Texas, making the WNBA after retiring from basketball, and why coaching was never her calling.

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May 4, 2026

Black Austin Matters Returns for Season 4 — Premiering Wednesday, May 6

This season, Black Austin Matters continues to spotlight the voices shaping Austin’s culture, history, and future. You’ll hear from recording artist Mama Duke, a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent, Austin native and civic leader Eric Byrd, and entrepreneur and Longhorn legend Fran Harris.

Listen

August 6, 2025

Dr. Cheryl Clark-Brown

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich sit down with Austin native Dr. Cheryl Clark-Brown, founder of Clark-Brown Family Care Clinic. Dr. Clark-Brown shares her inspiring journey into medicine, her deep-rooted passion for integrative healing, and her unwavering dedication to serving the community. She also offers heartfelt advice to the Black community […]

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July 2, 2025

China Smith

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich chat with Ballet Afrique founder and contemporary dancer China Smith. China takes us on a joyful stroll down memory lane, sharing what she loved about growing up in Austin and why her community means so much to her. She talks about how her time […]

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June 13, 2025

Talib Abdullahi

In the latest episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa and Rich sit down with Talib Abdullahi, founder of the Black History Bike Ride. Talib shares his journey from growing up in Houston, including what it was like to have professional jazz musicians as parents, to making his way to Austin to attend the University of […]

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May 8, 2025

Chi Ndika

On this flavorful episode of Black Austin Matters, we chat with Chi Ndika, founder of Luv Fats Ice Cream. Chi shares how her earliest ice cream memories sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, how her psychology background enhances her daily interactions and business decisions, and the unique way yoga principles guide her approach to creativity and wellness. […]

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April 9, 2025

Carl Settles Jr.

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa and Rich sit down with Carl Settles—founder and executive director of E4 Youth and creator of What Once Was. Carl opens up about the powerful influence of his parents, and his unique journey as both an All-State football player and student director of the choir while […]

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March 6, 2025

Richard J. Reddick

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, Lisa sits down with her co-host, Richard J. Reddick, to discuss his upbringing as an Air Force brat, his undergraduate experience at Harvard University, his journey as an educator, and the insights behind his book, Restorative Resistance in Higher Education: Leading in an Era of Racial Awakening and […]

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