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

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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February 5, 2025

Eric and Katrina Brooks owners of Black Pearl Books

In this episode of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa and Rich converse with Eric and Katrina Brooks, the owners of Black Pearl Books. Together, they reflect on their meeting at Clark Atlanta University, emphasize the significance of black representation in literature, stress the value of reading, and share their efforts to combat book bans.

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January 8, 2025

Harrison Eppright

In this Black Austin Matters episode, join Lisa and Rich at the launch party of season 3 last year. They explore the essence of Austin, detailing how their fondness for the city drove them to kickstart the Black Austin Matters podcast. Joined by Austin native and tour guide Harrison Eppright, the hosts have an insightful […]

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December 4, 2024

Gaylon Clark 

Gaylon Clark, the Lead Pastor of Greater Mt. Zion Church, joins Lisa and Rich on Black Austin Matters. Pastor Clark shares insights on his journey from his hometown of Dallas to Austin, and how his path to ministry was inspired by his brother’s faith and guided by prayer. Tune in to learn about finding the […]

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November 6, 2024

Marcus Myers

Lisa and Rich talk with Marcus Myers, former UT football player, Austin native and Diversity & Inclusion advocate in technology. He discusses his time on UT’s 2005 Championship football team, his collegiate recruitment experience, and how much college football has changed. Marcus also shares why he proudly identifies as a self-proclaimed nerd/jock, his tech journey, […]

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October 2, 2024

Dewi Smith

Lisa and Rich talk with community connector, voter motivator and conduit of curiosity Dewi Smith, highlighting the importance of being an educated voter. Dewi also shares her origin story, educational journey, devotion to the community, and commitment to rallying voters for this upcoming election.

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September 4, 2024

Amanda Johnston

In the premiere of Season 3 of Black Austin Matters, hosts Lisa and Rich sit down with Amanda Johnston, the trailblazing poet who became the first Black woman to hold the title of Texas Poet Laureate and the founder of Torch Literary Arts. Amanda shares insights into her childhood, her evolution as a writer, the […]

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