Black Austin Matters
Dr. Richard J. Reddick and Dr. Lisa B. Thompson
August 6, 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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About
BAM
Dr. Richard J. Reddick
Richard J. Reddick (Rich) moved to southeast Austin at age 14 and has been fascinated by issues of race, class, and education in his adopted city ever since. A professor of educational leadership and policy, Rich’s academic work focuses on mentoring relationships, the experiences of Black faculty in higher education, and the uncompensated labor performed by BIPOC people in university settings. Rich is a dad to two kids, a husband, son, and a brother in a family that has called Austin home spanning five decades. When not podcasting, Rich is following Texas Longhorn sports, playing bass guitar, or playing trivia – or caught in Austin traffic!
Dr. Lisa B. Thompson
Lisa B. Thompson is co-host and co-producer of KUT’s Black Austin Matters podcast. The award-winning playwright and University of Texas professor is the author of Beyond the Black Lady: Sexuality and the New African American Middle Class, Single Black Female, and Underground, Monroe, and The Mamalogues: Three Plays. When she’s not writing, teaching, or working out, the San Francisco native loves watching old movies while devouring all the homemade cookies she supposedly baked for her teenage son.
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