Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 62

Afro-Punk Creator James Spooner in Conversation with Live Musical Performances

'James Spooner is the filmmaker behind the seminal and award-winning documentary Afro-Punk (2003), which chronicles the experiences of being Black in the predominately white punk scene. Twenty years later, Spooner turns his attention to his own introduction to punk, art, and activism. Spooner chatx about his coming-of-age graphic memoir The High Desert with writer, producer, and host Jill Hopkins; followed by live musical performances curated by Spooner (who founded the Afro-punk Festival) and featuring Chicago bands; The Bollweevils, Buggin, Canal Irreal, and DJ Major Taylor.'

A Way Out of No Way: Senator and Reverend Raphael Warnock

'Raphael Warnock, the Georgia Democrat who is both pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and a U.S. Senator in Washington, talks with CBS News' John Dickerson about the lessons learned from his father; using politics as a tool for progressive change; and how – facing reelection this fall – he seeks to convince Georgians to continue to have faith.'

Eve’s Bayou's 25th Anniversary and the Future of Black Filmmaking

'As a producer, filmmaker and film programmer, Torell Shavone is uniquely positioned to provide insight on the challenges and opportunities for Black filmmakers since the end of economic shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the 25th anniversary of the release of Kasi Lemon’s groundbreaking film Eve’s Bayou is celebrated at the Tribeca Film Festival, Shavone weighs what it will take to bring more Black stories to wider, more diverse audiences.'

Black Art in America: Obiora Nwankwo | Words Are Spoken With The Eyes

'Obiora Vincent Nwankwo was born in Lagos state, DRC 12-1992, and hails from Anambra state. Holding a higher National degree in fine art, his practice borders around solving the problems the world of today gives, and also promotes the African culture with his stylized masking figurative work.'

Lady Wray - What's In My Bag?

'Lady Wray goes shopping at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Her album Piece Of Me is available from Big Crown Records.'

Does Race Matter in Adoptions?

'Minnesota has the largest number of Korean adoptees in the United States, and many of them grew up with white parents in white households. Imaeyen Ibanga travels to the Twin Cities to uncover what it’s like for this group during a nationwide uptick in anti-Asian hate and violence.'

Searching For The Source Of The Nile

'Writer Candice Millard chronicles the arduous journey of two 19th century explorers through East Africa, where they battled heat, insects, and diseases that at times rendered one or the other deaf, blind or paralyzed. After discovering the sprawling lake that feeds the world's longest river, the two fell into a bitter public dispute over their discoveries. Too little credit went to the formerly-enslaved African who guided them and other explorers of the age. Millard's new book is River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile.'

'Under the Skin': Linda Villarosa on The impact of COVID-19, A Million Deaths In

'Under the Skin, a new book by Linda Villarosa, looks at how racial bias in healthcare has costs for all Americans. Spoiler: Poverty counts — but not as much as you'd think. The book gets into how systemic racism and bias in the health care industry contributes to the gap in life expectancy for Black and Brown Americans, how that's played out during the coronavirus pandemic, and what lessons can be learned from other pandemics that have disproportionately affected people of color.'

The Biases Behind Predictive Algorithms for Child Welfare Tracking

'Eleven states in the country are currently using child welfare tracking algorithms to better identify children at risk. According to research conducted by Carnegie Mellon University, the algorithms target a disproportionate number of Black and low-income families. The Takeaway discusses the implementation of child welfare tracking algorithms with Anjana Samant, senior attorney at the ACLU and Nico’Lee Biddle, Senior Program Manager at the Center for the Study of Social Policy.'

Film: 'Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather'

'In the 1940s, the Nicholas Brothers performed a seminal dance routine that continues to inspire dancers decades later. A new film, "Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather," documents dancers Les Twins performing their homage to the original. All Of It speaks to the film's directors Paul Crowder and Michael Shevloff.'