Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 43

Pianist Emmet Cohen Hosts a Harlem Rent Party for the Modern Day

'Pianist Emmet Cohen revives a Jazz Age tradition: the rent party, with "Emmet's Place." We bring you a swinging performance of the Emmet Cohen Trio with veteran saxophonist Houston Person.'

A New Documentary Shows How Hurricane Katrina Affected Young People

'New Orleans native Ed Buckles was 13 when Hurricane Katrina hit his city. Seventeen years later his new film, Katrina Babies, documents how the disaster changed the trajectory of the lives of kids who were also his age at the time. He joins All Of It to discuss the documentary.'

The Gullah-Geechee Community Is Fighting To Keep Its Culture and Heritage Alive

'Descendants of enslaved Africans who live on Sapelo Island, off the coast of Georgia, say their community is being driven off by state and county entities and increasing property taxes.  The Takeaway spoke with Reginald Hall, CEO of Raccoon Hog Community Development Corporation and a descendant living on the island. Hall was not born on the island, but grew up visiting his grandmother. He was living in the Midwest in 2007 when his family called him back to his ancestral home to help his community and take an assessment of their survival.'

Reflecting on 50 years of 'Super Fly,' the Most Influential Black Film of All Time

'Super Fly is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Here's a look at the pioneering elements and drawbacks of the most successful Blaxploitation movie of its time. NPR’s Eric Deggans talked to several people who made the movie to discover how a scrappy independent film about a cocaine dealer became one of the most influential Black-centered films in history.'

Babybangz: Black Power in Hair (dir. Juliana Kasumu)

'In this documentary by Juliana Kasumu, a group of Black women gathers at Babybangz salon to discuss natural hair, the impact of gentrification in New Orleans, and their personal journeys toward self-love.'

Charles Stepney: Out of the Shadows (Episode 1)

'Episode One of Charles Stepney: Out of the Shadows  follows Stepney into his basement studio on the South Side Chicago, where he workshopped, recorded, and created much of the music that would become gold & platinum selling hits, and even more music that would never see the light of day. It features interviews and testimonies from members of Earth, Wind & Fire, Terry Callier, the Dells, and Stepney’s daughters Eibur, Charlene, and Chanté (aka the Stepney Sisters).'

Boston Review: Summoning Freedom – The Vision(s) of Afrofuturism

'In a special podcast, former Boston Review Black Voices in the Public Sphere fellow Nate File talks with Tananarive Due, Rasheedah Phillips, and Celeste Winston about Afrofuturism. In a wide-ranging, cross-disciplinary conversation, File and his guests cover Afrofuturism’s history, aesthetic significance, and how it informs current efforts to further justice and equality.'

Boston Review · Summoning Freedom

For This 89-year-old Gullah Geechee Chef, Cooking is About Heart

'Lots of home cooks would be excited to get a book deal. In the case of one home chef, she got that opportunity at the age of 89 years old. Emily Meggett is from the low country of South Carolina, and NPR traveled to her home on Edisto Island to appreciate some of her cooking. Edisto Island is a beautiful, quiet community of about 2,000 people, nearly an hour's drive south of Charleston. The roads are framed by massive oak trees draped with Spanish moss; there's a tang of sea salt in the air. Ms. Emily Meggett is known far and wide as the matriarch of Edisto.'

P&G | Queen Collective | Black Birth (dir. Haimy Assefa)

'Black Birth, by Queen Collective director Haimy Assefa, produced by Dominique Turner. (United States), features three expectant mothers, including the director, as they navigate the joys, fears, and complexity of Black motherhood in America.'

Robin Thede On 'A Black Lady Sketch Show'

ISLAND BOI PHOTOGRAPHY

'Robin Thede's HBO series, A Black Lady Sketch Show, is the first sketch comedy show solely written, directed and starring Black women. "It is a nonstop job," she says of the various hats she wears. Thede spoke with Fresh Air guest interviewer Tonya Mosley.'