1 00:00:08,500 --> 00:00:09,959 Students in the Austin School 2 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:11,639 District outperformed state averages 3 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:13,219 in most courses during the recent 4 00:00:13,220 --> 00:00:14,679 round of star testing. 5 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:16,719 Some scores surpassed pre-pandemic 6 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:18,099 levels, but there are still groups 7 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:19,619 of students falling behind the state 8 00:00:19,620 --> 00:00:20,559 standard. 9 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:21,719 How the district is planning to 10 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:22,639 address that. 11 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:24,399 And it's been a rough few years for 12 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:25,839 the craft brewing industry in Austin 13 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:27,339 and across the state. 14 00:00:27,340 --> 00:00:29,159 After a spat of brewery closures, 15 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,259 businesses are looking for new ways 16 00:00:30,260 --> 00:00:31,659 to get folks to frequent their 17 00:00:31,660 --> 00:00:33,039 neighborhood pub. 18 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:34,359 Plenty more about those stories 19 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:36,109 coming up on today's show. 20 00:00:36,110 --> 00:00:38,009 The Austin Signal is a production 21 00:00:38,010 --> 00:00:40,109 of KUT News, hosted by 22 00:00:40,110 --> 00:00:41,159 Jerry Quijano. 23 00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:43,019 Plus, Juneteenth is Friday, and the 24 00:00:43,020 --> 00:00:44,659 Black History Bike Ride is gearing 25 00:00:44,660 --> 00:00:46,599 up for another trek through Austin. 26 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:48,379 We're going to share their story and 27 00:00:48,380 --> 00:00:49,819 talk about the film documenting 28 00:00:49,820 --> 00:00:51,519 their work that's premiering 29 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:52,479 tonight. 30 00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:54,199 That is coming up next, and it's 31 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:56,119 right here on Austin 32 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:57,120 Signal. 33 00:01:07,500 --> 00:01:09,079 Howdy out there, you are listening 34 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:10,719 to Austin Signal. 35 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:12,119 I'm your host, Jerry Gechunel. 36 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,519 It is Wednesday, June 17th. 37 00:01:14,520 --> 00:01:16,279 Thank you for tuning in to community 38 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:18,039 powered public radio. 39 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,739 This is KUT News. 40 00:01:20,740 --> 00:01:22,439 The school year is over, but the 41 00:01:22,440 --> 00:01:23,799 school news never stops. 42 00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:25,159 And this week we found out students 43 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:26,519 in the Austin Independent School 44 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:28,119 District scored above the state 45 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:29,839 average in most courses. 46 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:31,199 That's according to preliminary 47 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:33,079 results from this year's star 48 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:33,989 tests. 49 00:01:33,990 --> 00:01:35,409 Here to tell us more is Greta 50 00:01:35,410 --> 00:01:37,229 Díaz-González Vázquez, she is 51 00:01:37,230 --> 00:01:39,189 KUT's education reporter. 52 00:01:39,190 --> 00:01:40,309 Greta, thanks for being back on the 53 00:01:40,310 --> 00:01:40,609 show. 54 00:01:40,610 --> 00:01:42,119 Hi Jerry, happy to be here. 55 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:44,119 So, which courses did Austin 56 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,159 ISD students excel above statewide 57 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:46,679 scores? 58 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:48,619 Yeah, so AISD students, 59 00:01:48,620 --> 00:01:50,199 they're doing great in general, if 60 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:51,959 we look at a general picture in 61 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:53,939 reading math and social sciences. 62 00:01:53,940 --> 00:01:55,799 In some cases, their graders, for 63 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:57,879 example, they went above 64 00:01:57,880 --> 00:01:58,980 pre-pandemic levels. 65 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:02,079 Because as you might remember, 66 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,319 grades went down after the pandemic. 67 00:02:04,320 --> 00:02:05,939 And taking a closer look at the 68 00:02:05,940 --> 00:02:07,659 reading scores, how did AISD 69 00:02:07,660 --> 00:02:08,788 students do there? 70 00:02:08,789 --> 00:02:10,429 Yeah, so students across the state 71 00:02:10,430 --> 00:02:11,969 are not meeting pre-pandemic levels 72 00:02:11,970 --> 00:02:13,229 for reading, but third grade 73 00:02:13,230 --> 00:02:14,729 students that meet academic grade 74 00:02:14,730 --> 00:02:16,689 level even drop 75 00:02:16,690 --> 00:02:18,649 one percentage point statewide, but 76 00:02:18,650 --> 00:02:20,589 AISD students did the opposite. 77 00:02:20,590 --> 00:02:22,669 They went above pre-pendemic levels 78 00:02:22,670 --> 00:02:24,729 by quite a bit by eight 79 00:02:24,730 --> 00:02:26,490 percentage points, which is good. 80 00:02:27,849 --> 00:02:29,869 AIS is scoring above 81 00:02:29,870 --> 00:02:31,869 state average in each grade by 82 00:02:31,870 --> 00:02:34,069 a couple or a few points compared 83 00:02:34,070 --> 00:02:35,719 to state-wide peers. 84 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:37,839 But if we look at Spanish 85 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:39,699 speakers in AISD, 86 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:41,479 that is not the case, that is the 87 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:42,419 opposite. 88 00:02:42,420 --> 00:02:44,919 They are scoring below their 89 00:02:44,920 --> 00:02:46,599 statewide peers and also of course 90 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,139 below their English speaking peers. 91 00:02:49,140 --> 00:02:51,139 Students can take the start test in 92 00:02:51,140 --> 00:02:53,359 Spanish through fifth grade and 93 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:55,239 we see that third, fourth and fifth 94 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,139 grade students who took it in 95 00:02:57,140 --> 00:02:58,839 Spanish are scoring way below their 96 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:00,819 peers. If we see third grade, that's 97 00:03:00,820 --> 00:03:02,249 a 20% meet. 98 00:03:02,250 --> 00:03:04,109 Academic levels compared 99 00:03:04,110 --> 00:03:06,009 to statewide wide which is 100 00:03:06,010 --> 00:03:07,989 28 percent or their 101 00:03:07,990 --> 00:03:10,149 English speaking peers which is 59 102 00:03:10,150 --> 00:03:11,219 so that's a big difference 103 00:03:11,220 --> 00:03:12,679 That is a big difference. 104 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:13,959 What about when it comes to math 105 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:14,789 scores? 106 00:03:14,790 --> 00:03:16,829 Yeah, so most AISD grades 107 00:03:16,830 --> 00:03:18,929 are scoring also above state 108 00:03:18,930 --> 00:03:20,769 average, except sixth 109 00:03:20,770 --> 00:03:22,609 and seventh grade, which 110 00:03:22,610 --> 00:03:24,029 is statewide. They're also scoring 111 00:03:24,030 --> 00:03:25,569 kind of low compared to other 112 00:03:25,570 --> 00:03:26,570 grades. 113 00:03:27,290 --> 00:03:29,109 Also, most fourth graders are 114 00:03:29,110 --> 00:03:30,369 doing better than before the 115 00:03:30,370 --> 00:03:31,609 pandemic. So that is great. 116 00:03:31,610 --> 00:03:33,509 That's 52% of AISB 117 00:03:33,510 --> 00:03:36,169 fourth graders meet grade level, and 118 00:03:36,170 --> 00:03:37,929 they are higher than statewide. 119 00:03:37,930 --> 00:03:39,589 But once again, Spanish speaking 120 00:03:39,590 --> 00:03:41,069 students are falling behind, 121 00:03:41,070 --> 00:03:42,789 especially that is especially true 122 00:03:42,790 --> 00:03:45,039 for third and fourth graders. 123 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:46,939 8% of kids 124 00:03:46,940 --> 00:03:48,879 or students who took the 125 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:50,640 test in Spanish, third graders, 126 00:03:52,260 --> 00:03:53,399 met grade level. 127 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:54,799 That is compared to state-wide, 128 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:56,279 which is 27%, and their 129 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,779 English-speaking peers, 47%. 130 00:03:58,780 --> 00:04:00,819 The 8%, that's pretty low. 131 00:04:00,820 --> 00:04:02,239 Okay, well we have more reporting 132 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:04,279 about this in our podcast 133 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,119 show notes and at kut.org 134 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:07,879 and on the KUT app. 135 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:09,299 We have been speaking with Greta 136 00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:10,499 Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez. 137 00:04:10,500 --> 00:04:12,499 She is KUT's education reporter. 138 00:04:12,500 --> 00:04:13,159 Great to see you. 139 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:14,160 Thank you, Jerry. 140 00:04:21,690 --> 00:04:22,929 It's been a rough couple of years 141 00:04:22,930 --> 00:04:24,449 for the Texas craft brewing 142 00:04:24,450 --> 00:04:25,329 industry. 143 00:04:25,330 --> 00:04:26,629 Here in Austin, we've said goodbye 144 00:04:26,630 --> 00:04:28,709 to several local tap rooms, 145 00:04:28,710 --> 00:04:30,489 including Black Star Co-op and 146 00:04:30,490 --> 00:04:32,349 Fourth Tap Brewing, and friends and 147 00:04:32,350 --> 00:04:33,669 allies as well. 148 00:04:33,670 --> 00:04:34,869 Recently, High Sign Brewing 149 00:04:34,870 --> 00:04:36,789 announced its filing for Chapter 11 150 00:04:36,790 --> 00:04:38,629 bankruptcy, but it says it plans 151 00:04:38,630 --> 00:04:40,189 to stay open. 152 00:04:40,190 --> 00:04:41,629 Joining me now to discuss how the 153 00:04:41,630 --> 00:04:43,169 industry is faring and how it's 154 00:04:43,170 --> 00:04:45,109 adapting is Caroline Wallace. 155 00:04:45,110 --> 00:04:46,469 She is executive director of the 156 00:04:46,470 --> 00:04:48,089 Texas Craft Brewers Guild. 157 00:04:48,090 --> 00:04:49,179 Caroline, welcome to the show. 158 00:04:49,180 --> 00:04:50,329 Thanks for having me. 159 00:04:50,330 --> 00:04:51,729 So can you give us a temperature 160 00:04:51,730 --> 00:04:53,709 check of the crap brewing industry 161 00:04:53,710 --> 00:04:55,269 here in Austin, particularly? 162 00:04:55,270 --> 00:04:56,409 How is it faring right now? 163 00:04:56,410 --> 00:04:57,849 I think the craft brewing industry 164 00:04:57,850 --> 00:04:59,929 in Austin is fairing pretty similar 165 00:04:59,930 --> 00:05:01,389 to the industry across the state and 166 00:05:01,390 --> 00:05:03,349 even across the country. 167 00:05:03,350 --> 00:05:04,669 Some of the biggest things breweries 168 00:05:04,670 --> 00:05:05,729 have been dealing with are rising 169 00:05:05,730 --> 00:05:07,569 costs across 170 00:05:07,570 --> 00:05:09,649 the board from raw ingredients to 171 00:05:09,650 --> 00:05:11,729 the cost of capital for 172 00:05:11,730 --> 00:05:13,949 barring and large equipment 173 00:05:13,950 --> 00:05:15,909 outlay, rising cost of 174 00:05:15,910 --> 00:05:17,029 real estate. 175 00:05:17,030 --> 00:05:18,049 But then on the other end, I think 176 00:05:18,050 --> 00:05:20,189 that vibes are 177 00:05:20,190 --> 00:05:21,889 good. It's a creative, it's a fun 178 00:05:21,890 --> 00:05:23,489 industry. I've been to three 179 00:05:23,490 --> 00:05:25,429 breweries in the last 24 hours, just 180 00:05:25,430 --> 00:05:26,369 for... 181 00:05:26,370 --> 00:05:28,049 Lunch today and for some World Cup 182 00:05:28,050 --> 00:05:29,629 festivities yesterday and and they 183 00:05:29,630 --> 00:05:31,110 all had great crowds So, I mean, I 184 00:05:31,111 --> 00:05:32,929 think craft beer is alive and well, 185 00:05:32,930 --> 00:05:34,529 but small business owners, you know 186 00:05:34,530 --> 00:05:35,029 face challenges 187 00:05:35,030 --> 00:05:36,929 Mm-hmm. Yeah, and you mentioned 188 00:05:36,930 --> 00:05:38,769 some of the trends of a rising 189 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:40,149 cost There's also the trend 190 00:05:40,150 --> 00:05:42,209 supposedly that Gen Z is 191 00:05:42,210 --> 00:05:44,209 drinking a lot less from your 192 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:45,629 work Do you find that to be accurate 193 00:05:45,630 --> 00:05:47,589 and how our consumer trends sort of 194 00:05:47,590 --> 00:05:48,749 shaping demand right now? 195 00:05:48,750 --> 00:05:49,849 I think there's been a lot of ink 196 00:05:49,850 --> 00:05:51,589 spilled about Gen Z and they're 197 00:05:51,590 --> 00:05:53,030 maybe not just drinking habits, but 198 00:05:53,031 --> 00:05:54,909 like overall consumer spending and 199 00:05:54,910 --> 00:05:56,549 social habits. 200 00:05:56,550 --> 00:05:58,269 Some of the recent data I've seen is 201 00:05:58,270 --> 00:05:59,809 that they're starting to revert back 202 00:05:59,810 --> 00:06:02,149 a little bit to the norm, but 203 00:06:02,150 --> 00:06:04,029 it feels like maybe 204 00:06:04,030 --> 00:06:05,889 a little bit of a slowdown in Gen Z 205 00:06:05,890 --> 00:06:07,689 drinking or socializing in general 206 00:06:07,690 --> 00:06:09,229 might be more due to the pandemic 207 00:06:09,230 --> 00:06:11,409 and just kind of those years of 208 00:06:11,410 --> 00:06:12,669 not really having the same social 209 00:06:12,670 --> 00:06:14,069 environment and then more just 210 00:06:14,070 --> 00:06:15,499 broader economic. 211 00:06:15,500 --> 00:06:16,760 Things, money in your pocket, you 212 00:06:16,761 --> 00:06:17,659 know, where are you going out as 213 00:06:17,660 --> 00:06:19,499 much when you've come into 214 00:06:19,500 --> 00:06:21,139 the job market and into adulthood 215 00:06:21,140 --> 00:06:23,659 and this economic environment. 216 00:06:23,660 --> 00:06:25,639 So I think our breweries are doing 217 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:27,059 fun things to attract newer 218 00:06:27,060 --> 00:06:28,499 customers who might be coming out to 219 00:06:28,500 --> 00:06:30,419 breweries not because, not 220 00:06:30,420 --> 00:06:32,119 for the beer first, but more for the 221 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:33,019 food, the experience. 222 00:06:33,020 --> 00:06:33,789 There. 223 00:06:33,790 --> 00:06:35,089 Yeah, maybe even for like a World 224 00:06:35,090 --> 00:06:36,129 Cup game like you mentioned right 225 00:06:36,130 --> 00:06:36,559 now, right? 226 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:38,839 Exactly, or a 227 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:40,520 plant potting night, 228 00:06:41,780 --> 00:06:42,780 or sushi and beer pairing. 229 00:06:42,781 --> 00:06:43,589 Yeah, or like a doodling night. 230 00:06:43,590 --> 00:06:44,649 We've heard about that here on 231 00:06:44,650 --> 00:06:45,689 Austin Signal. 232 00:06:45,690 --> 00:06:47,069 Just maybe more of a chance to 233 00:06:47,070 --> 00:06:48,729 socialize first and then drink beer 234 00:06:48,730 --> 00:06:49,149 after. 235 00:06:49,150 --> 00:06:50,079 Exactly, yeah. 236 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:51,979 OK, so you mentioned some of 237 00:06:51,980 --> 00:06:53,219 the challenges facing the industry 238 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:54,719 right now. Tell us about some of the 239 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,419 other ones that you're seeing in 240 00:06:56,420 --> 00:06:57,049 your work. 241 00:06:57,050 --> 00:06:58,889 Yeah, craft breweries sit 242 00:06:58,890 --> 00:07:00,269 at a really unique kind of 243 00:07:00,270 --> 00:07:02,289 intersection between manufacturing, 244 00:07:02,290 --> 00:07:04,049 small manufacturing and hospitality, 245 00:07:04,050 --> 00:07:05,649 right? Both of those industries or 246 00:07:05,650 --> 00:07:07,209 industries have been hit pretty hard 247 00:07:07,210 --> 00:07:08,849 by the pandemic, and then just the 248 00:07:08,850 --> 00:07:10,789 economic and trade 249 00:07:10,790 --> 00:07:12,029 environment that we've been in, you 250 00:07:12,030 --> 00:07:13,929 know, since then in recent years. 251 00:07:13,930 --> 00:07:15,969 So for breweries, the cost of, 252 00:07:15,970 --> 00:07:17,829 you, know, stainless steel, aluminum 253 00:07:17,830 --> 00:07:19,789 cans, barley, 254 00:07:19,790 --> 00:07:21,609 hops, a lot of the key inputs 255 00:07:21,610 --> 00:07:23,129 that go into bring. 256 00:07:23,130 --> 00:07:24,049 Have faith! 257 00:07:24,050 --> 00:07:25,929 Tariffs, they've faced rising costs 258 00:07:25,930 --> 00:07:27,410 due to supply chain issues, they 259 00:07:27,411 --> 00:07:29,289 faced some of those agricultural 260 00:07:29,290 --> 00:07:31,789 products have been impacted by 261 00:07:31,790 --> 00:07:33,629 climate factors or even by like 262 00:07:33,630 --> 00:07:35,109 geopolitical things like a lot of 263 00:07:35,110 --> 00:07:37,129 grain is grown 264 00:07:37,130 --> 00:07:39,169 in Ukraine and that can impact 265 00:07:39,170 --> 00:07:41,169 the global market. 266 00:07:41,170 --> 00:07:42,509 So all those forces kind of coming 267 00:07:42,510 --> 00:07:44,049 to play at the manufacturing side 268 00:07:44,050 --> 00:07:46,369 and then on the hospitality side, 269 00:07:46,370 --> 00:07:47,429 you know, rising cost of real 270 00:07:47,430 --> 00:07:49,289 estate, customers may 271 00:07:49,290 --> 00:07:51,229 have a little less disposable income 272 00:07:51,230 --> 00:07:52,549 in their pockets. 273 00:07:52,550 --> 00:07:53,889 Those are kind of a lot of 274 00:07:53,890 --> 00:07:54,969 challenges that I hear from 275 00:07:54,970 --> 00:07:56,949 breweries that will say, 276 00:07:56,950 --> 00:07:58,769 man, business is actually pretty 277 00:07:58,770 --> 00:08:00,269 good, pretty flat relative to last 278 00:08:00,270 --> 00:08:01,569 year, even up a little bit, but just 279 00:08:01,570 --> 00:08:03,509 the cost of putting the 280 00:08:03,510 --> 00:08:05,349 liquid in the glass, the cost 281 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:07,329 putting food on the plate, 282 00:08:07,330 --> 00:08:08,389 keeping the lights on, are the 283 00:08:08,390 --> 00:08:10,269 things that small business 284 00:08:10,270 --> 00:08:11,889 owners are having to weather. 285 00:08:11,890 --> 00:08:13,769 You mentioned a plant potting 286 00:08:13,770 --> 00:08:16,369 night, a doodle night. 287 00:08:16,370 --> 00:08:18,369 What are some of the 288 00:08:18,370 --> 00:08:19,849 other ways you're seeing independent 289 00:08:19,850 --> 00:08:21,489 breweries adapt to this moment right 290 00:08:21,490 --> 00:08:22,429 now? 291 00:08:22,430 --> 00:08:24,429 Definitely thinking beyond beer and 292 00:08:24,430 --> 00:08:26,389 more about the totality 293 00:08:26,390 --> 00:08:27,849 of that customer experience and 294 00:08:27,850 --> 00:08:29,789 creating a taproom that brings 295 00:08:29,790 --> 00:08:31,629 folks out, whether it's for fun and 296 00:08:31,630 --> 00:08:33,449 unique events or for a meal or 297 00:08:33,450 --> 00:08:34,569 a beer. They're thinking about 298 00:08:34,570 --> 00:08:36,509 non-alcoholic offerings, 299 00:08:36,510 --> 00:08:39,209 having wine programs, FROZENS, 300 00:08:39,210 --> 00:08:40,408 anything that's going to keep that 301 00:08:40,409 --> 00:08:41,609 group of folks there maybe a little 302 00:08:41,610 --> 00:08:43,369 longer. Or choose to come to a 303 00:08:43,370 --> 00:08:44,609 brewery when maybe somebody in the 304 00:08:44,610 --> 00:08:46,129 group doesn't drink or prefers a 305 00:08:46,130 --> 00:08:47,989 different drink because they've 306 00:08:47,990 --> 00:08:50,069 thought about all those aspects. 307 00:08:50,070 --> 00:08:51,649 And then on just the wild, wacky, 308 00:08:51,650 --> 00:08:52,789 and fun side, I mean, we have 309 00:08:52,790 --> 00:08:54,329 breweries now that have like sports 310 00:08:54,330 --> 00:08:55,689 leagues that operate out of them. 311 00:08:55,690 --> 00:08:57,629 Brewery that has summer camps 312 00:08:57,630 --> 00:08:59,529 for kids 313 00:08:59,530 --> 00:09:01,309 out on their property. 314 00:09:01,310 --> 00:09:03,149 I mean you name it, we've had 315 00:09:03,150 --> 00:09:04,189 breweries come up with some really, 316 00:09:04,190 --> 00:09:05,789 really creative ways. 317 00:09:05,790 --> 00:09:07,489 A brewery that's looking into adding 318 00:09:07,490 --> 00:09:09,389 a horror themed bookstore, not 319 00:09:09,390 --> 00:09:11,049 here in Austin, but somewhere else 320 00:09:11,050 --> 00:09:12,169 in Texas. 321 00:09:12,170 --> 00:09:14,229 And another brewery is operating 322 00:09:14,230 --> 00:09:15,979 like an arcade. 323 00:09:15,980 --> 00:09:17,319 With video games and, you know, 324 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,039 pay-to-play cards and stuff. 325 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:20,299 So, definitely thinking creatively 326 00:09:20,300 --> 00:09:22,439 about how to be, not just beer, but 327 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:25,089 a holistic brand and experience. 328 00:09:25,090 --> 00:09:26,329 Well, it sounds like there's a lot 329 00:09:26,330 --> 00:09:27,809 of exciting things happening amongst 330 00:09:27,810 --> 00:09:28,949 these independent breweries. 331 00:09:28,950 --> 00:09:30,769 It's easy, I think, to overreact 332 00:09:30,770 --> 00:09:31,989 when we see some of our favorite 333 00:09:31,990 --> 00:09:33,669 breweries closing down. 334 00:09:33,670 --> 00:09:35,229 So where do you see the industry 335 00:09:35,230 --> 00:09:36,989 moving forward here in the next few 336 00:09:36,990 --> 00:09:38,689 months to year? 337 00:09:38,690 --> 00:09:40,389 Yeah, I think there's a lot of 338 00:09:40,390 --> 00:09:42,049 forces that are outside of small 339 00:09:42,050 --> 00:09:43,649 business owners' control of any 340 00:09:43,650 --> 00:09:44,949 kind. We're hearing that from 341 00:09:44,950 --> 00:09:46,469 barbecue restaurants and music 342 00:09:46,470 --> 00:09:47,470 venues. 343 00:09:48,270 --> 00:09:49,549 And anywhere folks are gathering, 344 00:09:49,550 --> 00:09:51,029 they can just be kind of subject to 345 00:09:51,030 --> 00:09:52,229 some of those things they can't 346 00:09:52,230 --> 00:09:53,689 control. But what breweries can 347 00:09:53,690 --> 00:09:55,009 control, I think, is that guest 348 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:57,108 experience, that environment, 349 00:09:57,109 --> 00:09:58,509 creating a neighborhood gathering 350 00:09:58,510 --> 00:09:59,909 place that folks love. 351 00:09:59,910 --> 00:10:02,029 And so I think it's more that just a 352 00:10:02,030 --> 00:10:03,489 breweries are feeling a little bit 353 00:10:03,490 --> 00:10:05,889 how to maintain 354 00:10:05,890 --> 00:10:07,709 their own point of view 355 00:10:07,710 --> 00:10:09,829 and their own vibe and flavor, 356 00:10:09,830 --> 00:10:11,089 while also being kind of like all 357 00:10:11,090 --> 00:10:12,789 things to all people in a way. 358 00:10:12,790 --> 00:10:14,449 You know, like, come one, come all, 359 00:10:14,450 --> 00:10:15,709 watch the sports, eat the food, play 360 00:10:15,710 --> 00:10:17,349 the games, put the kids on the 361 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,229 playground, you know, all the 362 00:10:19,230 --> 00:10:21,269 things. So I think just weathering, 363 00:10:21,270 --> 00:10:23,369 keeping costs 364 00:10:23,370 --> 00:10:24,549 in check to the ability that they 365 00:10:24,550 --> 00:10:26,549 can, and just trying new 366 00:10:26,550 --> 00:10:28,069 and unique things to bring people in 367 00:10:28,070 --> 00:10:29,029 the doors. 368 00:10:29,030 --> 00:10:29,809 All right, we have been speaking 369 00:10:29,810 --> 00:10:30,909 with Caroline Wallace. 370 00:10:30,910 --> 00:10:32,329 She is the executive director of the 371 00:10:32,330 --> 00:10:34,129 Texas Craft Brewers Guild and 372 00:10:34,130 --> 00:10:35,129 Industry Group. 373 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:36,329 Caroline, thank you for your time. 374 00:10:36,330 --> 00:10:37,330 Thanks for having me. 375 00:10:38,390 --> 00:10:40,769 And a few headlines for you today. 376 00:10:40,770 --> 00:10:42,749 Joshua Baer, founder of Austin-based 377 00:10:42,750 --> 00:10:44,769 tech company Capital Factory, 378 00:10:44,770 --> 00:10:46,249 died last night when the private 379 00:10:46,250 --> 00:10:47,949 plane he was in crashed on a highway 380 00:10:47,950 --> 00:10:49,129 in Laredo. 381 00:10:49,130 --> 00:10:50,509 Five other passengers were taken to 382 00:10:50,510 --> 00:10:52,469 the hospital and the FAA and 383 00:10:52,470 --> 00:10:55,459 NTSB are investigating. 384 00:10:55,460 --> 00:10:56,939 An extreme heat warning is in effect 385 00:10:56,940 --> 00:10:58,879 today across much of central Texas, 386 00:10:58,880 --> 00:10:59,999 including Travis Hayes and 387 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:01,419 Williamson Counties. 388 00:11:01,420 --> 00:11:02,759 National Weather Service warns that 389 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,299 heat index values could hit 112 390 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:07,619 degrees in some areas. 391 00:11:07,620 --> 00:11:09,439 And the season is over for 392 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:10,559 UT's baseball team. 393 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:12,019 The Longhorns lost last night to 394 00:11:12,020 --> 00:11:14,199 Georgia in the College World Series, 395 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,219 ending their season with 46 wins 396 00:11:16,220 --> 00:11:18,599 and 15 losses. 397 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:20,219 This is Austin Signal, there's more 398 00:11:20,220 --> 00:11:22,179 show coming up for you after this 399 00:11:22,180 --> 00:11:23,180 break. 400 00:11:27,380 --> 00:11:30,079 This is Austin Signal, welcome back. 401 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:31,819 Every once in a while, we dig back 402 00:11:31,820 --> 00:11:33,819 into the KUT archives to share 403 00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:35,639 some of the great reporting that our 404 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,579 newsroom has done over the years. 405 00:11:37,580 --> 00:11:39,119 With Juneteenth approaching later 406 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:40,539 this week, we're looking back at a 407 00:11:40,540 --> 00:11:42,559 story that was there at the start of 408 00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:44,319 an Austin Black History organization 409 00:11:44,320 --> 00:11:46,219 as it took shape in the summer of 410 00:11:46,220 --> 00:11:47,299 2020. 411 00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:48,479 And afterwards, we'll be speaking 412 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:50,379 with the founder to see how 413 00:11:50,380 --> 00:11:52,299 things have changed since then. 414 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,739 But now here's former KUT reporter, 415 00:11:54,740 --> 00:11:55,889 Nadja Hamdan. 416 00:11:55,890 --> 00:11:57,749 Taking us back to an Austin summer 417 00:11:57,750 --> 00:11:58,929 six years ago. 418 00:12:00,490 --> 00:12:01,749 It's around 10 a.m. 419 00:12:01,750 --> 00:12:03,829 On a scorching hot Sunday morning in 420 00:12:03,830 --> 00:12:05,829 June, and Taleb Abdullahi 421 00:12:05,830 --> 00:12:07,349 is standing in front of the Texas 422 00:12:07,350 --> 00:12:08,139 State Capitol. 423 00:12:08,140 --> 00:12:09,659 We're going to abide by all traffic 424 00:12:09,660 --> 00:12:10,660 laws. 425 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:12,039 We're not going to be rolling any 426 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:12,979 red lights. 427 00:12:12,980 --> 00:12:14,259 We're gonna be respectful of all 428 00:12:14,260 --> 00:12:15,519 drivers and police officers. 429 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:16,469 Thank you. 430 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:18,349 A 30-year-old black man is 431 00:12:18,350 --> 00:12:20,349 straddling his bike, his voice 432 00:12:20,350 --> 00:12:22,209 echoing through a portable PA 433 00:12:22,210 --> 00:12:23,429 system. 434 00:12:23,430 --> 00:12:24,929 That's because he's addressing a 435 00:12:24,930 --> 00:12:26,929 crowd of people, all on 436 00:12:26,930 --> 00:12:27,849 bikes. 437 00:12:27,850 --> 00:12:29,769 Also, make sure to watch your speed, 438 00:12:29,770 --> 00:12:30,589 especially when we're coming down 439 00:12:30,590 --> 00:12:32,549 hills, and also please make 440 00:12:32,550 --> 00:12:34,489 sure you social distance 441 00:12:34,490 --> 00:12:36,129 as much as you can. 442 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:38,049 They all showed up for one reason, 443 00:12:38,050 --> 00:12:39,789 to learn about Austin's black 444 00:12:39,790 --> 00:12:40,790 history. 445 00:12:41,910 --> 00:12:43,669 Now, Talib is not a historian. 446 00:12:43,670 --> 00:12:45,389 He's an event coordinator for Tito's 447 00:12:45,390 --> 00:12:46,609 Handmade Vodka. 448 00:12:46,610 --> 00:12:48,669 So you may be wondering, 449 00:12:48,670 --> 00:12:50,369 how did he find himself on the steps 450 00:12:50,370 --> 00:12:52,329 of the Capitol, about to lead 451 00:12:52,330 --> 00:12:54,049 a tour of Austin black history, 452 00:12:57,109 --> 00:12:59,989 and Why are they all on bikes? 453 00:12:59,990 --> 00:13:02,129 It all started in early June. 454 00:13:02,130 --> 00:13:03,669 Taleb had just returned home from 455 00:13:03,670 --> 00:13:05,929 the protest at Houston Tillotson, 456 00:13:05,930 --> 00:13:07,289 where thousands of people had 457 00:13:07,290 --> 00:13:08,629 rallied for an end to police 458 00:13:08,630 --> 00:13:10,659 violence and systemic racism. 459 00:13:10,660 --> 00:13:12,239 I was thinking that night, like, 460 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,239 man, it would be really cool to tie 461 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:16,119 all this energy of everyone 462 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:18,739 coming out in the streets with 463 00:13:18,740 --> 00:13:19,979 something that's fun, like bike 464 00:13:19,980 --> 00:13:21,319 riding, which I love. 465 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,139 It's my biggest hobby of all time, 466 00:13:24,140 --> 00:13:26,169 and connect it with black history. 467 00:13:26,170 --> 00:13:28,049 Taleb says he has a passion 468 00:13:28,050 --> 00:13:30,689 for both history and cycling, 469 00:13:30,690 --> 00:13:32,029 and he thought this would be a good 470 00:13:32,030 --> 00:13:34,269 way to sustain, quite literally, 471 00:13:34,270 --> 00:13:36,439 the momentum of the last two weeks. 472 00:13:36,440 --> 00:13:37,839 I kind of got on Google Maps that 473 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:39,539 night and I was like, hmm, I think I 474 00:13:39,540 --> 00:13:41,499 could make this route go just 475 00:13:41,500 --> 00:13:43,639 about 8.46 miles 476 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:45,479 and make it in honor 477 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:46,759 of George Floyd and just kind of tie 478 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:47,719 everything together. 479 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:49,839 Eight minutes and 46 seconds was 480 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:51,179 the amount of time a Minneapolis 481 00:13:51,180 --> 00:13:53,119 police officer had his knee 482 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:54,779 on Floyd's neck. 483 00:13:54,780 --> 00:13:56,619 Floyd was a black man, and his 484 00:13:56,620 --> 00:13:58,519 death sparked nationwide protests 485 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:00,379 against police brutality, 486 00:14:00,380 --> 00:14:01,679 including the ones in Austin. 487 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:05,059 Taleb's route stretched from west 488 00:14:05,060 --> 00:14:07,039 to east Austin and would feature 489 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:09,019 12 historical sites significant 490 00:14:09,020 --> 00:14:10,459 to black history. 491 00:14:10,460 --> 00:14:12,239 This includes the Texas 492 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,119 African-American History Memorial at 493 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:16,059 the Capitol, the Haskell House 494 00:14:16,060 --> 00:14:18,129 in Clarksville, and the old Jacob 495 00:14:18,130 --> 00:14:20,269 Fontaine building in West Campus. 496 00:14:20,270 --> 00:14:22,089 Jacob Fontaine, who's one of 497 00:14:22,090 --> 00:14:23,529 my favorite figures in Austin's 498 00:14:23,530 --> 00:14:24,509 black history. 499 00:14:24,510 --> 00:14:25,909 We started like the gold dollar 500 00:14:25,910 --> 00:14:28,049 press and tried to help lift 501 00:14:28,050 --> 00:14:30,149 up a lot of the freed slaves 502 00:14:30,150 --> 00:14:31,789 and people in the African-American 503 00:14:31,790 --> 00:14:32,689 community. 504 00:14:32,690 --> 00:14:34,729 Tullip figured he'd have 20 or 30 505 00:14:34,730 --> 00:14:36,709 of his friends join him on the ride, 506 00:14:36,710 --> 00:14:38,449 so he posted the idea on his 507 00:14:38,450 --> 00:14:40,009 personal Instagram story the next 508 00:14:40,010 --> 00:14:40,569 morning. 509 00:14:40,570 --> 00:14:42,589 And it just 510 00:14:42,590 --> 00:14:43,389 snowballed. 511 00:14:43,390 --> 00:14:45,249 Within a few hours, a screenshot 512 00:14:45,250 --> 00:14:47,029 of his post was making its way 513 00:14:47,030 --> 00:14:49,789 across Instagram, then Facebook, 514 00:14:49,790 --> 00:14:51,369 even some local bike shops were 515 00:14:51,370 --> 00:14:52,099 sharing it. 516 00:14:52,100 --> 00:14:53,919 Initially, I was like, whoa, I 517 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:55,099 didn't plan for that. 518 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:55,939 You know, I did not plan for it to 519 00:14:55,940 --> 00:14:56,599 be that big. 520 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:58,039 He didn't know how many people would 521 00:14:58,040 --> 00:14:59,919 actually show up, but he wanted to 522 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:02,239 be prepared for more than 30. 523 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:03,899 So what started as a simple bike 524 00:15:03,900 --> 00:15:05,759 ride with friends soon turned into 525 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,199 a grassroots led initiative, 526 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:09,799 bringing together people from all 527 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,359 across the community. 528 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:13,059 His friends rallied behind him and 529 00:15:13,060 --> 00:15:14,939 within a week, they had a whole team 530 00:15:14,940 --> 00:15:16,639 of volunteers. 531 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:18,079 Cyclists from different clubs 532 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:19,639 offered to help keep the riders safe 533 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:21,339 and hydrated on the road. 534 00:15:21,340 --> 00:15:23,219 A coffee shop donated free cold 535 00:15:23,220 --> 00:15:24,249 brew. 536 00:15:24,250 --> 00:15:25,629 Pedicabbers promised to be there for 537 00:15:25,630 --> 00:15:27,129 people who were not able to ride 538 00:15:27,130 --> 00:15:27,839 bikes. 539 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:29,559 There was just a huge outpouring 540 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:31,679 from the community and it was really 541 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:32,559 heartwarming. 542 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,579 People willing to donate their time 543 00:15:34,580 --> 00:15:36,319 and that was really beautiful, 544 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:37,320 really amazing. 545 00:15:40,830 --> 00:15:42,689 It was the Sunday of the ride, 546 00:15:42,690 --> 00:15:44,429 exactly one week after the protest 547 00:15:44,430 --> 00:15:46,249 at Houston Tillotson. 548 00:15:46,250 --> 00:15:48,129 The invite had specified a 10 549 00:15:48,130 --> 00:15:50,229 a.m. Meeting time, but Talib arrived 550 00:15:50,230 --> 00:15:52,249 at the Capitol early and waited to 551 00:15:52,250 --> 00:15:54,029 see just how many people would 552 00:15:54,030 --> 00:15:55,589 actually show up. 553 00:15:55,590 --> 00:15:57,789 The bikes started rolling in, 554 00:15:57,790 --> 00:15:59,589 and they didn't stop. 555 00:15:59,590 --> 00:16:01,529 By the time Talib started talking, 556 00:16:01,530 --> 00:16:03,909 there was a sea of more than 400 557 00:16:03,910 --> 00:16:05,829 mass cyclists crowding both 558 00:16:05,830 --> 00:16:07,559 lanes of 11th Street. 559 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:09,359 It was so busy that at one point, 560 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:10,599 the volunteers had to start 561 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,379 directing them down the sides of the 562 00:16:12,380 --> 00:16:14,549 sidewalk so cars could pass. 563 00:16:14,550 --> 00:16:15,729 This really means a lot. 564 00:16:15,730 --> 00:16:17,909 I put this out literally on Monday, 565 00:16:17,910 --> 00:16:19,969 and I was just like, yo, like, let's 566 00:16:19,970 --> 00:16:21,169 ride bikes and learn about black 567 00:16:21,170 --> 00:16:22,709 history. And it accidentally went 568 00:16:22,710 --> 00:16:24,210 viral and you guys are here now. 569 00:16:27,570 --> 00:16:29,529 Donald Davis is a founding member 570 00:16:29,530 --> 00:16:31,369 of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of 571 00:16:31,370 --> 00:16:32,329 Austin. 572 00:16:32,330 --> 00:16:33,709 It's a group made up of majority 573 00:16:33,710 --> 00:16:35,249 black cyclists. 574 00:16:35,250 --> 00:16:36,889 The club's namesake actually honors 575 00:16:36,890 --> 00:16:38,729 Major Taylor, the first black man 576 00:16:38,730 --> 00:16:40,349 to win a cycling world championship 577 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:42,329 in 1899. 578 00:16:42,330 --> 00:16:43,709 Davis was there with his fellow club 579 00:16:43,710 --> 00:16:45,669 members donating their time to 580 00:16:45,670 --> 00:16:47,249 make sure everything ran smoothly 581 00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:48,309 during the tour. 582 00:16:48,310 --> 00:16:49,589 I just saw more and more people 583 00:16:49,590 --> 00:16:51,589 coming in, and when 584 00:16:51,590 --> 00:16:53,529 the cops blocked off the area, 585 00:16:53,530 --> 00:16:54,749 I was like, dude, this is going to 586 00:16:54,750 --> 00:16:55,669 be huge. 587 00:16:55,670 --> 00:16:57,549 He says it was remarkable to see so 588 00:16:57,550 --> 00:16:59,129 many people from all different 589 00:16:59,130 --> 00:17:00,929 backgrounds come together for this 590 00:17:00,930 --> 00:17:01,459 ride. 591 00:17:01,460 --> 00:17:03,979 It was so nice to see Austin 592 00:17:03,980 --> 00:17:06,059 show up. 593 00:17:06,060 --> 00:17:07,779 I just, I have never, I've been here 594 00:17:07,780 --> 00:17:08,598 since 91. 595 00:17:08,599 --> 00:17:09,419 I don't think I've ever seen that 596 00:17:09,420 --> 00:17:11,279 kind of brotherhood and sisterhood 597 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:13,479 except for like an MLK march. 598 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:14,689 That's about it. 599 00:17:14,690 --> 00:17:16,588 Now, Taleb says he's not one 600 00:17:16,589 --> 00:17:18,489 for public speaking, but he felt 601 00:17:18,490 --> 00:17:20,389 very inspired that so many 602 00:17:20,390 --> 00:17:22,348 people turned out with the 603 00:17:22,349 --> 00:17:23,779 intention to learn. 604 00:17:23,780 --> 00:17:25,479 I kind of told myself going into 605 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,219 this that if this is the amount of 606 00:17:27,220 --> 00:17:29,279 attention that this specific 607 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,239 activity is getting, then 608 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:32,879 the people want it and it's 609 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:34,559 something people need. 610 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:36,379 So it almost like didn't 611 00:17:36,380 --> 00:17:37,879 matter how many people showed up. 612 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:38,899 It was really just that people 613 00:17:38,900 --> 00:17:40,239 wanted to be there. 614 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:41,999 From the seat of his bike, Talib 615 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,799 began telling stories about the 616 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,519 black experience. 617 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,539 And when he spoke, the cyclists were 618 00:17:47,540 --> 00:17:49,539 quiet, save the occasional 619 00:17:49,540 --> 00:17:51,060 ringing of bicycle bells. 620 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,119 25-Year-old Jimena Gamboa 621 00:17:56,120 --> 00:17:57,939 Bonilla was one of the writers who 622 00:17:57,940 --> 00:17:59,219 took the tour. 623 00:17:59,220 --> 00:18:00,459 She says she's often been 624 00:18:00,460 --> 00:18:02,419 disappointed with what she perceives 625 00:18:02,420 --> 00:18:04,239 as a one-sided, often 626 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:05,999 whitewashed narrative associated 627 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:07,709 with much of Austin's history. 628 00:18:07,710 --> 00:18:10,029 At one point it stops being 629 00:18:10,030 --> 00:18:11,749 lack of awareness and it starts 630 00:18:11,750 --> 00:18:14,509 being willingly ignorant. 631 00:18:14,510 --> 00:18:15,949 But she says this ride changed 632 00:18:15,950 --> 00:18:17,469 something for her. 633 00:18:17,470 --> 00:18:19,249 The day was hot and the hills 634 00:18:19,250 --> 00:18:21,449 merciless, and still hundreds 635 00:18:21,450 --> 00:18:23,089 of people were pumping their legs 636 00:18:23,090 --> 00:18:24,889 and sweating their way to the next 637 00:18:24,890 --> 00:18:26,749 stop and the next top and 638 00:18:26,750 --> 00:18:27,669 the stop. 639 00:18:27,670 --> 00:18:29,769 It was so 640 00:18:29,770 --> 00:18:31,089 beautiful. 641 00:18:31,090 --> 00:18:33,009 It made me realize, wow, 642 00:18:33,010 --> 00:18:35,009 there are 400 other 643 00:18:35,010 --> 00:18:36,989 humans here that are 644 00:18:36,990 --> 00:18:38,969 willing to ride in the middle of the 645 00:18:38,970 --> 00:18:39,970 summer. 646 00:18:40,370 --> 00:18:42,529 It kind of gave me more hope 647 00:18:42,530 --> 00:18:44,349 that in Austin, there's people 648 00:18:44,350 --> 00:18:45,479 care. 649 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:47,619 Olive shared the entire route online 650 00:18:47,620 --> 00:18:48,839 so people can take the tour 651 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:50,259 themselves. 652 00:18:50,260 --> 00:18:51,979 But after seeing the turnout in 653 00:18:51,980 --> 00:18:53,999 Austin, plans are in motion to 654 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:56,099 create Black History social rides in 655 00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:58,079 other cities, like Houston, 656 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,579 Tulsa, and Detroit. 657 00:18:59,580 --> 00:19:01,419 I, if anything, would 658 00:19:01,420 --> 00:19:03,659 hope to be 659 00:19:03,660 --> 00:19:05,259 giving people tools to learn this 660 00:19:05,260 --> 00:19:07,339 history themselves and help people, 661 00:19:07,340 --> 00:19:08,479 you know, give them an opportunity 662 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:09,599 to understand their own city a 663 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:10,429 little bit better. 664 00:19:10,430 --> 00:19:12,249 Ultimately, Taleb says he 665 00:19:12,250 --> 00:19:14,269 just hopes to inspire more people 666 00:19:14,270 --> 00:19:16,449 to seek out the Black, 667 00:19:16,450 --> 00:19:18,589 Latinx, and Indigenous stories in 668 00:19:18,590 --> 00:19:20,069 their own communities. 669 00:19:20,070 --> 00:19:22,229 If we can create avenues 670 00:19:22,230 --> 00:19:24,089 for people to do that, that's a 671 00:19:24,090 --> 00:19:25,090 win in my book. 672 00:19:27,260 --> 00:19:29,659 Nadi Hamdan, 673 00:19:29,660 --> 00:19:30,660 KUT News. 674 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:34,659 And again, that story was produced 675 00:19:34,660 --> 00:19:36,619 back in 2020, a reach back 676 00:19:36,620 --> 00:19:38,739 into the KUT archives. 677 00:19:38,740 --> 00:19:40,519 And joining us now in studio is 678 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:42,559 Talib Abdulahi, creator of Black 679 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:43,899 History Bike Ride. 680 00:19:43,900 --> 00:19:44,859 Talib, thank you for being on the 681 00:19:44,860 --> 00:19:46,579 show. Yeah, thank for having me. 682 00:19:46,580 --> 00:19:48,519 So first off, listening back to 683 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:50,379 that story, how wild is it to think 684 00:19:50,380 --> 00:19:51,779 about how far you've come since 685 00:19:51,780 --> 00:19:52,619 then? 686 00:19:52,620 --> 00:19:54,539 You know, we 687 00:19:54,540 --> 00:19:56,479 couldn't have really imagined that 688 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:57,719 Black History Bike Ride took off 689 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,639 from that very first moment. 690 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,559 And even at that 691 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:02,559 moment looking forward, we couldn t 692 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:04,419 have imagined to be so 693 00:20:04,420 --> 00:20:06,239 blessed and fortunate to be able to 694 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:07,459 continue what we've been doing all 695 00:20:07,460 --> 00:20:07,909 these years. 696 00:20:07,910 --> 00:20:10,409 Yeah, now we're here in 2026, 697 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:11,809 so let's update the audience a 698 00:20:11,810 --> 00:20:13,309 little bit. What has changed about 699 00:20:13,310 --> 00:20:14,429 your bike ride and what has stayed 700 00:20:14,430 --> 00:20:16,549 the same all these years later? 701 00:20:16,550 --> 00:20:18,489 Well, everything's about community. 702 00:20:18,490 --> 00:20:19,769 Everything's about history. 703 00:20:19,770 --> 00:20:21,729 Everything is about 704 00:20:21,730 --> 00:20:23,969 telling the truth, but also about 705 00:20:23,970 --> 00:20:26,109 creating kind of an uplifting 706 00:20:26,110 --> 00:20:28,189 and fun environment for people to 707 00:20:28,190 --> 00:20:30,009 gather and be together in. 708 00:20:30,010 --> 00:20:31,929 So we're 100% community powered. 709 00:20:31,930 --> 00:20:32,929 We still think like a grassroots 710 00:20:32,930 --> 00:20:34,489 organization, but we are fully 711 00:20:34,490 --> 00:20:36,509 formed 501c3. 712 00:20:36,510 --> 00:20:38,109 We've been fortunate to receive 713 00:20:38,110 --> 00:20:39,849 grants like from the city of Austin 714 00:20:39,850 --> 00:20:41,849 and other numerous 715 00:20:41,850 --> 00:20:42,869 local orgs. 716 00:20:42,870 --> 00:20:44,589 So we're really fortunate that we've 717 00:20:44,590 --> 00:20:46,509 been able to kind of build this 718 00:20:46,510 --> 00:20:49,209 sustainable education 719 00:20:49,210 --> 00:20:51,189 and tool to 720 00:20:51,190 --> 00:20:52,229 teach about black history in our 721 00:20:52,230 --> 00:20:53,099 city. 722 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:55,039 Speaking of our city, it's one that 723 00:20:55,040 --> 00:20:56,839 is changing constantly, and since 724 00:20:56,840 --> 00:20:58,179 your rides have started back in 725 00:20:58,180 --> 00:21:00,019 2020, has the changes 726 00:21:00,020 --> 00:21:01,699 around Austin affected your bike 727 00:21:01,700 --> 00:21:02,689 ride? 728 00:21:02,690 --> 00:21:04,649 You know, yes and 729 00:21:04,650 --> 00:21:05,429 no. 730 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:07,529 I think, you know, the changes 731 00:21:07,530 --> 00:21:09,329 and the more that people both move 732 00:21:09,330 --> 00:21:11,409 here and move away, I feel like it 733 00:21:11,410 --> 00:21:13,269 explains, it's the reason 734 00:21:13,270 --> 00:21:14,149 why we do this. 735 00:21:14,150 --> 00:21:15,830 You know like as the city changes, 736 00:21:17,070 --> 00:21:18,289 what I've learned over the years is 737 00:21:18,290 --> 00:21:20,069 that like the more people that can 738 00:21:20,070 --> 00:21:21,629 help be torchbearers, you know it 739 00:21:21,630 --> 00:21:23,629 doesn't all fall on 740 00:21:23,630 --> 00:21:25,529 one person or you know one 741 00:21:25,530 --> 00:21:27,369 institution to act as 742 00:21:27,370 --> 00:21:28,729 historians. 743 00:21:28,730 --> 00:21:30,229 Everyone should take a vested 744 00:21:30,230 --> 00:21:31,309 interest in both. 745 00:21:31,310 --> 00:21:33,089 Teaching but also learning about the 746 00:21:33,090 --> 00:21:34,549 city and then sharing those stories 747 00:21:34,550 --> 00:21:35,639 with other people. 748 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:36,779 What do you think for you has been 749 00:21:36,780 --> 00:21:38,179 the most surprising thing about 750 00:21:38,180 --> 00:21:39,780 doing this ride year after year? 751 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:42,059 That people want to show up in the 752 00:21:42,060 --> 00:21:43,080 heat and learn about history. 753 00:21:44,300 --> 00:21:46,119 Our Hallmark event usually is on 754 00:21:46,120 --> 00:21:47,939 Juneteenth, and somehow that always 755 00:21:47,940 --> 00:21:49,699 ends up being one of the hottest 756 00:21:49,700 --> 00:21:51,399 days of the year, but yet we 757 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:52,659 persist. 758 00:21:52,660 --> 00:21:54,519 We have a wonderful team 759 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:56,339 of volunteers, 760 00:21:56,340 --> 00:21:58,319 and now we have part-time staff, 761 00:21:58,320 --> 00:21:59,759 too, to help coordinate things. 762 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:01,859 We actually have an EMS Code 4 763 00:22:01,860 --> 00:22:03,179 and EMS service that's going to come 764 00:22:03,180 --> 00:22:04,199 out this year. 765 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:05,200 So. 766 00:22:05,709 --> 00:22:06,869 We've learned how to be both 767 00:22:06,870 --> 00:22:09,009 strategic while still being kind of 768 00:22:09,010 --> 00:22:10,529 fun, scrappy in the fun ways, but 769 00:22:10,530 --> 00:22:12,089 professional and organized to like 770 00:22:12,090 --> 00:22:13,090 where it makes sense. 771 00:22:13,660 --> 00:22:15,279 And another thing that's come out of 772 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,259 Black History Bike Ride is a film 773 00:22:17,260 --> 00:22:18,899 that's premiering tonight that you 774 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:20,399 are featured in. It's called Cycles 775 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:21,919 of Resilience, a journey through 776 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:23,499 Austin's black history. 777 00:22:23,500 --> 00:22:24,759 How did you get involved with making 778 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:26,619 a film out of your bike ride? 779 00:22:26,620 --> 00:22:28,759 So this is actually our second film. 780 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:29,739 Oh, really? Yeah. 781 00:22:29,740 --> 00:22:30,979 Our first one is called The Route to 782 00:22:30,980 --> 00:22:31,839 Emancipation. 783 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:33,879 Okay. We essentially 784 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:35,979 kind of had this crazy idea to 785 00:22:35,980 --> 00:22:37,159 do a bike ride from Austin to 786 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:39,119 Galveston to raise awareness of the 787 00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:40,539 Juneteenth holiday, which Galvestan 788 00:22:40,540 --> 00:22:42,519 plays a really important role 789 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:43,959 in. So we rode from the Capitol to 790 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:45,959 Galvaston and filmed a short 791 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,199 documentary on it. 792 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,959 That's actually on PBS right now. 793 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:52,259 And so that 794 00:22:52,260 --> 00:22:53,239 was just kind of shooting from the 795 00:22:53,240 --> 00:22:55,879 hip, doing something fun and 796 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:57,719 And that, I 797 00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:58,899 think, you know, because of that, we 798 00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:00,399 were able to do some fundraising 799 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:01,879 also from the city of Austin to 800 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:03,399 essentially create a documentary 801 00:23:03,400 --> 00:23:04,859 where the viewer is able to follow 802 00:23:04,860 --> 00:23:06,599 our bike ride initiative and both 803 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:07,899 learn about like what we're doing 804 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:09,659 kind of at the grassroots level to 805 00:23:09,660 --> 00:23:10,959 share black history. 806 00:23:12,679 --> 00:23:14,659 And also to kind of get a 807 00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:16,179 deeper dive into a lot of the 808 00:23:16,180 --> 00:23:17,499 history from a lot of different 809 00:23:17,500 --> 00:23:18,739 professors, historians and community 810 00:23:18,740 --> 00:23:19,959 members that we interviewed. 811 00:23:19,960 --> 00:23:21,379 Okay, so the first one's called The 812 00:23:21,380 --> 00:23:22,839 Root to Emancipation, and that's on 813 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:24,399 PBS right now, you said? 814 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,179 And the new one, Cycles of 815 00:23:26,180 --> 00:23:27,499 Resilience, is premiering tonight. 816 00:23:27,500 --> 00:23:28,699 Where is that happening? 817 00:23:28,700 --> 00:23:30,319 It's premiering at Austin Film 818 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:31,139 Society. 819 00:23:31,140 --> 00:23:32,479 Okay, and I believe that's at seven 820 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:34,179 o'clock. If folks can't get out 821 00:23:34,180 --> 00:23:35,419 tonight, though, there is a bike 822 00:23:35,420 --> 00:23:36,379 ride happening this weekend. 823 00:23:36,380 --> 00:23:37,159 Give us the details. 824 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,359 Yeah, so on Sunday, 825 00:23:39,360 --> 00:23:40,739 the 21st, we're going to have our 826 00:23:40,740 --> 00:23:42,659 seventh annual Juneteenth 827 00:23:42,660 --> 00:23:44,479 social ride leaving 828 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:46,879 from the Haskell House at 10 a.m. 829 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:48,739 And that ride will stop at 830 00:23:48,740 --> 00:23:50,679 various locations with some really 831 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:51,859 interesting important black history 832 00:23:51,860 --> 00:23:53,379 and then we'll end that with a nice 833 00:23:53,380 --> 00:23:55,019 little block party over on the east 834 00:23:55,020 --> 00:23:57,199 side at Boggy Creek Farm on 835 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:58,739 Lyons Road. That should be around 1 836 00:23:58,740 --> 00:23:59,619 p.m 837 00:23:59,620 --> 00:24:01,139 But let me ask you before you get 838 00:24:01,140 --> 00:24:02,199 out of here. There are a lot of new 839 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:03,299 people that have moved to Austin 840 00:24:03,300 --> 00:24:05,079 since you started doing a black 841 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:06,639 history bike ride or maybe just 842 00:24:06,640 --> 00:24:07,719 folks that are hearing about the 843 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:08,919 organization for the first time 844 00:24:08,920 --> 00:24:10,819 maybe on this radio show. 845 00:24:10,820 --> 00:24:12,119 Where can they go to learn more and 846 00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:12,989 get involved? 847 00:24:12,990 --> 00:24:14,349 Yeah, so you can check out our 848 00:24:14,350 --> 00:24:16,849 website, blackhistorybikeride.com. 849 00:24:16,850 --> 00:24:18,829 We're the most active on Instagram. 850 00:24:18,830 --> 00:24:20,149 Our Instagram handle is just Black 851 00:24:20,150 --> 00:24:21,289 History Bike Ride. 852 00:24:21,290 --> 00:24:23,169 And we're a welcoming, 853 00:24:23,170 --> 00:24:24,869 open, pretty laid back community of 854 00:24:24,870 --> 00:24:26,929 volunteers and folks that like to 855 00:24:26,930 --> 00:24:28,049 share black stories. 856 00:24:28,050 --> 00:24:29,309 So come out and see us somewhere. 857 00:24:29,310 --> 00:24:30,209 And yes, 7 p.m. 858 00:24:30,210 --> 00:24:31,569 At Austin Film Society tonight. 859 00:24:31,570 --> 00:24:32,969 Okay, very good. 860 00:24:32,970 --> 00:24:34,789 And I did have another question, 861 00:24:34,790 --> 00:24:35,790 sorry. 862 00:24:36,370 --> 00:24:37,849 Where would you like to see Black 863 00:24:37,850 --> 00:24:38,969 History Bike Ride go? 864 00:24:38,970 --> 00:24:40,189 I mean, you've got a couple of films 865 00:24:40,190 --> 00:24:41,909 now and people are still coming out 866 00:24:41,910 --> 00:24:43,370 and maybe even the hottest day, I 867 00:24:43,371 --> 00:24:44,709 believe. Thursday might be the 868 00:24:44,710 --> 00:24:46,449 hottest of the year so far and then 869 00:24:46,450 --> 00:24:47,869 Juneteenth is on Friday. 870 00:24:47,870 --> 00:24:48,729 Where would like to your 871 00:24:48,730 --> 00:24:50,819 organization go in the future? 872 00:24:50,820 --> 00:24:52,759 You know, it's funny because 873 00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:54,899 like the last segment ended with our 874 00:24:54,900 --> 00:24:56,299 hope to go national. 875 00:24:56,300 --> 00:24:57,619 I think there's always that hope 876 00:24:57,620 --> 00:24:59,199 that's easier said than done. 877 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:01,699 And my hope is that we are 878 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:03,539 having an impact in our 879 00:25:03,540 --> 00:25:04,999 community and we're able to 880 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:06,939 essentially share 881 00:25:06,940 --> 00:25:08,779 the legacies of like local community 882 00:25:08,780 --> 00:25:10,259 leaders in the black community who 883 00:25:10,260 --> 00:25:11,579 came before us who, you know, paved 884 00:25:11,580 --> 00:25:13,159 trails through the civil rights 885 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:14,759 movement, you through the Jim Crow 886 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:15,599 era. 887 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,479 Um, so my hope is for 888 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:18,779 us to go national and really far. 889 00:25:18,780 --> 00:25:20,280 And now it, for me, it's like, if 890 00:25:20,281 --> 00:25:22,039 we're able to really touch a small 891 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:23,999 group of people very deeply, I think 892 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,459 that's the most important thing. 893 00:25:25,460 --> 00:25:26,959 So I hope that we're to sustain that 894 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:27,839 and do that over and over. 895 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:29,379 And if we happen to do it on a 896 00:25:29,380 --> 00:25:30,339 bigger scale, we'll have more 897 00:25:30,340 --> 00:25:31,479 opportunities. We'd love to do that 898 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:32,480 too. 899 00:25:32,620 --> 00:25:33,719 Fantastic, we have been speaking 900 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:35,639 with Taleb Abdullahi, creator of 901 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:37,019 Black History Bike Ride. 902 00:25:37,020 --> 00:25:38,339 Again, we're gonna have information 903 00:25:38,340 --> 00:25:40,179 about that film preview tonight in 904 00:25:40,180 --> 00:25:41,039 our show notes. 905 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:42,139 Taleb, thank you for your time. 906 00:25:42,140 --> 00:25:43,579 Absolutely, thank so much. 907 00:25:43,580 --> 00:25:45,079 And thank you out there for spending 908 00:25:45,080 --> 00:25:46,259 the afternoon with us. 909 00:25:46,260 --> 00:25:49,579 There's more from us at kut.org 910 00:25:49,580 --> 00:25:50,719 slash signal. 911 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:51,819 We'll be back at the same time 912 00:25:51,820 --> 00:25:52,919 tomorrow. 913 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:53,920 We'll talk to you then.