Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 264

Breaking Into the Marijuana Business is An Uphill Battle for People of Color

'The legal cannabis industry is growing, well, like a weed. As more and more states have taken steps to legalize marijuana, the industry has shown no signs of slowing down. According to the Marijuana Business Factbook, the projected economic impact is expected to reach $77 billion by 2022. But, to be perfectly blunt, that doesn’t mean everyone is benefitting from the industry’s record highs. Black people and other people of color — who have long been targeted by law enforcement for cannabis use — are facing significant barriers breaking into the legal cannabis biz today. The Takeaway discussed that and more with Dasheeda Dawson, cannabis activist, author of "How to Succeed in the Cannabis Industry," and the Cannabis Program Supervisor for the City of Portland, Oregon.'

Director Kamilah Forbes Discusses the Making of 'Between the World and Me'

'Based on the 2018 adaptation and staging of the book at the Apollo Theater, the HBO Special of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me combines elements of the Apollo’s production, including powerful readings from Coates’ book, and incorporates documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage, and animation. Director Kamilah Forbes joins All Of It to walk us through the project.'

Producer and Jazz drummer Karriem Riggins Talks Jahari Massamba Unit

'Producer and jazz drummer Karriem Riggins joins All Of It to discuss working with longtime collaborator Madlib as Jahari Massamba Unit and their first full-length album together titled, Pardon My French. He also discusses producing Common’s album, Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1, and his future plan.'

Kiese Laymon: How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

'Eric, Kate, and Medaya talk with Kiese Laymon about the struggle to buy his work back from the original publisher in order to revise and republish them, an experience that highlights the imbalance of power in the industry and the commodification of a writer’s work.' -- LA Review of Books 

LA Review of Books · Kiese Laymon: How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

Diary of a Song: How Prince Wrote a Political Anthem That’s Still Relevant Today

'Breaking down the 1987 track, “Sign o’ the Times,” that’s still powerfully resonant today, Prince’s closest collaborators,  including the recording engineer Susan Rogers, his co-writer and romantic partner Susannah Melvoin and the bassist Levi Seacer Jr., offer an exclusive look into his songwriting.'

Zanele Muholi: In Conversation with Lady Phyll

Zanele Muholi, Ordeal 2003. Tate. © Zanele Muholi

'A conversation between Zanele Muholi and Lady Phyll of UK Black Pride. Together, they discuss what difficult love looks like for QTIPOC communities in South Africa and Britain and the importance of chosen families. This talk forms a part of From a Place of Love, a collaboration between Tate Exchange's Love programme and UK Black Pride, whose theme for 2020 is home.' -- Tate Talks

Understanding Bomba: Puerto Rican Music of Resistance

'Bomba is an ancient genre of resistance from Puerto Rico created by enslaved people on the island over 400 years ago. Recently, bomba music has been a staple of Black Lives Matter protests calling back to its roots as a music of resilience. Together, hosts Linda Diaz and LA Buckner break down the musical and cultural elements that make bomba, bomba. Ivelisse Diaz of Bomba con Buya teaches Linda about bomba singing, and LA learns bomba drum rhythms.'

Devon Gilfillian live at Paste Studio on the Road: Nashville

  

'Devon Gilfillian live at Paste Magazine Studio on the Road: Nashville presented by Paste and Instrumenthead Live'

Code Switch: Is It Time To Say R.I.P. to P.O.C.?

'Suffice it to say, we use the term "POC" a lot on Code Switch. But even terms created with the best of intentions can morph in meaning. We asked academics, writers and our listeners some big questions: What do we mean when we say "people of color"? Why do some of us identify with that term? Why does it annoy so many other people? Is it time to say R.I.P. to POC? And, if so, is BIPOC the new kid on the block?' -- NPR

Denzel Washington on Bringing 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' to the Screen

'The story of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, about a 1920s blues singer's difficult recording session, is one of talent marred by tragedy. But the film adaptation of August Wilson's play is also one of those occasions when the story behind the scenes is just as compelling – and equally tragic. CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Tracy Smith talked with Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington (the film's producer), and Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe about the project, and about working with the late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who gave a heartbreaking performance as a trumpet player while secretly battling colon cancer.'