Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 126

Lynn Nottage: Unexpected Optimist Download

'Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage (Ruined, Sweat, Clyde’s) breaks down her remarkable career and shares how, as an optimist at heart, she finds the light and resilience in unexpected stories. Plus, she tells The United States of Anxiety host Kai Wright about her hopes for the future of theater and her interest in making the medium accessible and meeting people where they are.'

Goapele On Hieroglyphics And The Bay Area Hip-Hop Scene

'In this clip from People's Party with Talib Kweli, Kweli and co-host Jasmin Leigh talk with singer-songwriter Goapele about the hip-hop group Hieroglyphics, the Bay Area hip-hop scene, and getting arrested with Tajai.'

How Sephora Revolutionized Makeup Consumption

'The makeup giant Sephora played an outsized role in creating the modern cosmetics industry. WSJ reporter Khadeeja Safdar unpacks the unconventional business strategies that led to Sephora’s early success and the retailer’s more recent moves to adapt to the pandemic market.'

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò on Climate Colonialism and Reparations

'After the 15th century, only five countries in the world had not been colonized by European empires in some form or another. Today we see how the policies, strategies, and technologies intended to “address” climate change will ultimately echo colonial pursuits under the guise of sustainable development and carbon offsets. On this episode of For The Wild, we explore climate colonialism, reparations, carbon removal, and a real “just transition” with guest Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò. Our conversation doesn’t provide easy answers or solutions but rather reminds us that while climate colonialism is unfurling before us, there is a myriad of tangible ways countries and movements across the so-called global North could begin making reparations. Táíwò is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. He studies and teaches social and political philosophy, with an emphasis on the Black radical tradition and anti-colonial thought.'

Tobe Nwigwe | "Passing Through" (Visuals)

Directed by: Tobe Nwigwe & Nate Edwards; Shot/Edited by: Wiseboy Photography & Tobe Nwigwe; Produced by: Tobe Nwigwe & LaNell Grant.

Tracing Rev. James Cleveland's Historic Contributions to Gospel

'Reverend James Cleveland was and remains one of the most influential figures in gospel music, bar none. Robert Marovich, a gospel historian and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gospel Music joins World Cafe Words and Music from WXPN to discuss his book, The King of Gospel Music: The Life and Music of Reverend James Cleveland. There's also a new 54-song collection of Cleveland's music to accompany the work, also called The King of Gospel Music.'

'African Town' Traces the History of the Last Slave Ship Sent to the U.S.

'Eyder Peralta talks with Charles Waters and Irene Latham about their book, African Town, which examins the community established by the Africans on the last slave ship to the U.S.' -- Weekend Edition Sunday

'Black Girl Songbook' – Chapter 25: Jennifer Hudson: A Dreamgirl Gets Her ‘Respect’

'Black Girl Songbook host Danyel Smith welcomes the Emmy-, Grammy-, and Oscar-winning singer-actress Jennifer Hudson to discuss the process of grooming her acclaimed talent and the journey to playing the legendary Aretha Franklin in Respect. Plus, Jennifer dives into what it’s like to be the light for the culture when we mourn the “greats”.'

The Barriers to Reentering Society After Prison

'Every year about 600,000 people are released from state and federal prisons. As part of PBS NewsHour's "Searching for Justice" series, Amna Nawaz spoke with formerly incarcerated people about the difficulties older men and women face after decades behind bars, and Nicole Ellis sat down with a panel of experts to examine issues surrounding reentry into society after prison.'

First Sickle Cell Patient Treated with CRISPR Gene-editing Still Thriving

'A young Mississippi woman is thriving two years after getting treated for sickle cell disease with the revolutionary gene-editing technique known as CRISPR. "I'm doing great," Victoria  Gray, now 36, said during a recent interview from her home in Forest, Miss. with Morning Edition, which has had exclusive access to chronicle her experience for more than two years. "I haven't any problems with sickle cell at all. I did get a cold about a week ago," she says with a nervous chuckle.'