Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 304

This Afro-Dominican Pastry Chef is Fighting Racism – with PIE

'After the killing of George Floyd by police, celebrated Afro-Dominican pastry chef Paola Velez and her fellow culinary masterminds launched Bakers Against Racism, a campaign to fight systemic racism by baking. Yara catches up with Paola to make peach cobbler and learn the story of Georgia Gilmore, the O.G. Baker Against Racism who sold baked goods to fund the historic Montgomery Bus Boycotts during the civil rights movement.' -- AJ+
 

Black Voices Speak Their Truth

'Inspired by the storytellers, the conversations and the art that have arisen from the Black Lives Matter movement, we know that there are a lot more stories that need to be told, and a lot more listening that needs to be done. So we handed the mic over to Black people across the U.S. to ask them to share their thoughts, their feelings and their experiences with us. We worked with artists and animators to bring their words to life. Here is what they wish you knew.' -- Great Big Story
 

"They Call Me... Landry": A Cinematic Portrait of a Boxer's Journey from Africa to Europe

'Uprooted from the Ivory Coast and sent to live in Denmark as a child, professional boxing champion Landry “Hardkore” Kore tells the story of his eighteen-year journey from homelessness and family breakdown to international success in an elevated documentary. When Danish Director Meeto met the boxer a few years ago he knew that the conventional shaky cam athletic profile would do no justice to Kore’s philosophy, intelligence and—as the director describes—his “big heart”.' -- NOWNESS

Lincoln Center At Home: Vanessa Williams

'Singer and actress Vanessa Williams leads Lincoln Center at Home's tenth #MemorialForUsAll with renditions of "Colors of the Wind," "Save the Best For Last," and "Love Is" (with Darius De Haas). Memorial For Us All is a secular community remembrance, welcoming all to celebrate the lives of those who have left us too soon during this pandemic. ' -- cunytv75
 

On the Clock: Kenny Leon, Tony Award-Winning Director of Stage & Screen

On this episode on On the Clock with Caroline Clarke, Tony Award-Winning director of stage and screen Kenny Leon discusses the sources of his inspiration. -- Black Enterprise
 

Animating While Black

'In June, a number of white actors said they would step down from voicing Black characters on popular animated shows. The producers of “The Simpsons” also announced they would no longer have white actors voice nonwhite characters. But these stories represent just one aspect of animation's complicated relationship with race. Los Angeles Times digital editor Tracy Brown discusses racism and representation in the animation industry, along with Breana Williams , a production coordinator and co-founder of Black N’ Animated, which published an open letter with specific requests for animation companies to support the Black community.' -- All Of It
         
        

Wynton Marsalis on Arts in the After-Times

'In partnership with Gothamist and their Future NYC series, host John Schaefer consults with Wynton Marsalis as he considers arts possibilities in the after-times, touching on full participation and the ways to question institutional curation. Marsalis would like to see increased engagement with the arts - inviting folks to participate, creating the will to participate, and building community. Practically speaking, that might mean lowering ticket prices, offering classes and encouraging curiosity. Wynton Marsalis shares his ideas for this Soundcheck Podcast.'

How Can We Protect Essential Workers During the Pandemic?

'From hospitals to grocery stores, essential workers throughout the country have put their lives at risk serving the public since the pandemic began. While some employers have provided their essential workers with protective equipment like masks and hand sanitizer, as businesses around the country begin to reopen there’s one big question that looms large: who’s liable happens if someone gets sick?   Michael Sainato, a journalist with the Guardian, joined The Takeaway to discuss.'

Candid Conversation with a Black Businessman: 7 Myths of Racial Equity

'As we are deep into this moment of civil unrest over systemic racism, Dr. Randal Pinkett, co-founder, chairman and CEO of BCT Partners, and co-author of Black Faces in White Places, offers his advice as a Black businessperson to other business people and in particular, white professionals. This is his advice to individual contributors, managers, executives and leaders on how to answer the question, “Where do we go from here?” Now that you’ve released your “statement” (or are debating whether to release a statement), and held your Town Hall, and articulated your commitment to racial equity, Dr. Pinkett offers his insights, and recommendations of what to do next, not only based on BCT's 20+ years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also from what he's heard and learned from the thousands of people with whom he has facilitated dialogue since George Floyd’s tragic murder.'

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Is Not Understood For Who She Really Is

'In this premiere episode of The Tight Rope, Dr. Cornel West and Professor Tricia Rose ask their esteemed guest Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) the right questions for her to share powerfully about her journey, politics, and thoughts on social justice in an electoral framework, the discipline of non-attachment, and intentional vulnerability. Together they “pull the curtain” on power and explore what it will take to heal our nation. Find out how AOC walks the tight rope of being authentic and “acceptable” along with a special segment on defunding the police during Office Hours in this episode of The Tight Rope.' -- The Tight Rope