On this week’s In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with King Hollis and Lindell Singleton, co-directors, writers and producers of Quakertown, USA, a film about a thriving black settlement originally called Freedman Town, in North Texas, which was eliminated by malevolent political and economic forces in 1921.
racism
Larry Tye (Ep. 39, 2024)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. discusses the musical and social legacies of three African American jazz pioneers with Larry Tye, historian, former Boston Glove reporter, former journalism professor, and author of The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America.”
K. Braeden Anderson (Ep. 26, 2023)
On this week’s edition of In BlackAmerica, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. discusses strategies for African American success and empowerment with K. Braeden Anderson, attorney, philanthropist, entrepreneur and author of Black Resilience: A Blueprint for Black Triumph in the Face of Racism.
Will AI Change Hip-Hop?
Confucius and Fresh discuss whether or not AI is poised to change the music industry. Then they talk about the racism of cancel culture.
You’ll learn Hip-Hop Facts about how Jay-Z really felt about Kanye getting his Roc-a-fella chain, the Dogg Pound’s connection to Houston, how Jay-Z was supposed to be in Belly, and more.
Fresh states the Unpopular Opinion that the Midwest is the best region for R&B and Hip-Hop.
Confucius talks about Harry Belafonte and Jerry Springer’s passing, the ongoing battle between Ron Desantis and Disney and more on Confucius Reads the News.
Texas Standard: October 28, 2022
In the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting, calls grow louder for the resignation of the head of the Department of Public Safety, we’ll have the latest. Also one of the biggest county judges races in Texas takes an ugly turn with charges of racism. Plus a closer look at disinformation and the role of inflammatory language. And after a deadly coral disease decimates reefs in Florida and the Caribbean, fears grow over a protected marine reserve off the coast of Galveston. And the off ramp on the road that goes forever… Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen on his decision to retire from the stage. Our conversation and much more today on the Texas Standard:
A Tribute to Dick Gregory, pt. 2 (Ep. 38. 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents the conclusion of an interview from 2000 with pioneering comedian, civil rights activist, social critic and writer DICK GREGORY, who passed away August 19, 2017, at the age of 84.
A Tribute to Dick Gregory, pt. 1 (Ep 37, 2022)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. presents an interview from 2000 with pioneering comedian, civil rights activist, social critic and writer DICK GREGORY, who passed away August 19, 2017, at the age of 84.
Texas Standard: March 15, 2022
The Texas National Guard has a new leader. Will that mean a new direction for its operation on the border? Operation Lone Star continues under new leadership. We dig into what’s next for the border security mission backed by Governor Abbott. Also make sure to shake out your piggy bank, your nickels may be worth more than five cents, thanks to a shortage. Plus a decline in heritage tourism in Mexico. We’ll tell you why spring break hasn’t brought back the expats like it once did. All that and more today on the Texas Standard:
Dr. Kate Clifford Larson (Ep. 51, 2021)
This week on In Black America, producer and host John L. Hanson, Jr. speaks with Dr. Kate Clifford Larson, award-winning historian, consultant and Harriet Tubman scholar, and author of Walk With Me: A Biography of Fannie Lou Hamer.
Trailer: Black Austin Matters
Black Austin Matters is a podcast that highlights the Black community and Black culture in Central Texas. Each month, hosts Richard J. Reddick and Lisa B. Thompson talk with other Black Austinites about their perspectives on what’s happening in their city. We’ll hear from the well-known and the not-so-well-known in Austin’s Black community to find out what matters to them. New episodes each first Wednesday of the month.
Texas Standard: October 15, 2021
A likely appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court as the 5th Circuit reaffirms a decision to let Texas’ near total abortion ban remain in effect. Other stories we are tracking: in the final days of a third special session, the Texas House green lights a bill that would force transgender Texas youth to play on public school sports teams that align with their sex assigned at birth. Also, why supply chains have become a big worry for everyday Texans. And a horror film with a message steeped in the Mexican American experience. We’ll meet the star who hails from the Rio Grande Valley. Plus the week in politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: August 26, 2021
Quorum restored and the special session back in action, Texas lawmakers take steps on border security including funding for a wall. Though Donald Trump’s border wall plans may have fizzled, Governor Abbott’s pressing forward with his own call for a Texas version. Bob Garrett of the Dallas Morning News with more. Also as classes return online, students encountering some system errors. We’ll hear about the challenges. And a podcast about racial tensions in a Texas suburb as a microcosm of America. The story behind the series Southlake and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Perspective
The ongoing reckoning over racism in the United States inspired this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: September 10, 2020
The politics of policing part two: the mayor of Austin pushes back against the governor’s call to take a pledge not to defund police. Coming up our conversation with Austin mayor Steve Adler who says characterizations of major cutbacks in the Texas capital city’s police funding amount to GOP politics as usual. We’ll hear more Also, changes to the sex ed curriculum in Texas, LGBTQ students say proposals are woefully inadequate as social conservatives push an abstinence only message. And the threat to a burgeoning industry, Texas wineries teaming up. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Say Their Names (Rerun)
This week, The Breaks decided not to create a new show in light of the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI. Instead, they are re-running their episode from June, 1 2020, where Fresh and Confucius talk about the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin and the resulting protests. They touch on their experiences as black men in America, their frustration with systemic racism and the need for sustained solidarity from society at large, not just during times of tragedy.
Listen to This Episode of The Breaks
Texas Standard: August 3, 2020
One year after the deadliest attack against Latinos in recent history, Texas remembers those lost in El Paso during a day of reflection and healing.
Democrats beating republicans in fundraising for Texas congressional races- a closer look.
Also, a battle in Midland before and after a vote to rename a city high school.
The storm before the storms. What Hurricane Hanna might add up to for Texas’ energy sector.
And packets of mystery seeds from China raising concerns–a Texas A&M expert is on the case. Those stories & much more.
Texas Standard: July 2, 2020
As new COVID-19 cases continue to set record highs in Texas, another statistic isn’t tracking the trend. Why are COVID-19 death rates in Texas moving lower? We’ll have the latest. Also, Texas teachers getting prepared for the first statewide public school elective on African American studies. How the past and present come together in the curriculum. And just how difficult is the process for obtaining a mail in ballot in Texas? Our own Shelly Brisbin puts it to the test. Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Uncomfortable Conversations
At the same time as we are being “socially distant” — we are grappling with deeply rooted issues that can be tough to talk about. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 17, 2020
One size fits all does not work for Texas, so say the mayors of nine cities imploring the governor to help them get Texans back to safety guidelines. El Paso mayor Dee Margo, one of the signatories to a letter to governor Abbot tells us why he and his colleagues are asking for the power to get more people to wear face coverings in the fight against COVID-19. Also Texas student athletes leverage their power for social change. A look at how their latest moves fit into the larger picture. And is purple the new orange? Those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Say Their Names
This week on The Breaks, Fresh and Confucius talk about the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Mike Ramos in Austin and the resulting protests. They touch on their experiences as black men in America, their frustration with systemic racism and the need for sustained solidarity from society at large, not just during times of tragedy.
Listen to this episode of The Breaks
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