A long way from the block

Marcus Strickland presents EXCHANGE VILLAGE: A holistic approach to Black Music with pure freedom and creativity in an ALL-Inclusive cross-media exchange of knowledge through workshops & performances. A solo and collaborative journey dissolving perceived genre and technology lines.   His band and concept project, Twi-Life deals with the connection and intersection between jazz and Soul & H...

Michael “Zaki” Smith was a policy entrepreneur at Next100. He is an entrepreneur and activist with more than fifteen years of experience in youth empowerment and social justice. Zaki has recently worked with the Clean Slate NY Coalition to advocate for automatic expungement of criminal records in New York State. Zaki launched the #EndPerpetualPunishment arts campaign , which uses murals and art in...

Alvin Irby is a former kindergarten teacher turned award-winning social entrepreneur, international speaker, comedian, and author. He is Founder and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books , a national literacy organization that inspires young children  to read for fun. His work connecting reading to male-centered spaces and involving men in boys’ early reading experiences earned him the Nation...

In this episode Rob Parker talks about how as a 2nd grader at PS 50 in New York City his teacher pulled him to the side and told him he should be a writer.  We also discuss how he's kept the same 11 close friends from his neighborhood in Queens, NY and how along with them and their families helped to shape him into the man he is today.  Parker – who graduated from Southern Connecticut State U...

A nacron is an award-winning and published recording artist, Senior level certified Experiential Educator, and 2018-appointed United States Cultural Ambassador from Los Angeles, California. As a pre-teen jazz prodigy, Anacron studied at Alexander Hamilton Music Academy and Interlochen Center For The Arts before receiving recognition from the Charles Dolo Coker Foundation. By high school, he became...

In my conversation with Zen Master Stan Koehler, Roshi he goes in depth about his Peace on the Street program in East Harlem. How building a container of meditation and martial arts helped and continues to help a community. How young men and women developed a new skillset  to address the challenges in their  neighborhood and how to deal with NYPD's Infamous Stop-and-Frisk Policy.  Hear how he...

Pastor Terri A. Jacobs was born in Detroit Michigan and is the youngest of 8 siblings.  In 1982, her mother the Late Mrs. Willie J. Mann moved the family to San Diego, CA.  At an early age, Pastor Jacobs displayed her God given gift and skills in the game of basketball.  In her four years at Point Loma High in San Diego, Pastor Jacobs led the Lady Pointers to a 122-1 record and four straight state...

Gregg Bishop is currently the Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund, an initiative funded by The Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation. The Social Justice Fund centers its work around racial justice and economic mobility. Bishop has over 13 years of government experience, serving under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. From 2015-2020, he served as the Commissioner of the NYC Department o...

Juan Carlos Blanco Riera was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he performed with several professional companies for over 15 years before coming to the U.S.  As a youth, he started his performance career with the folkloric arts group, Cumballe, and Oba Ilú, in his home town of Guanabacoa.  He later joined one of Cuba's most renowned folkloric companies, Raices Profundas (Deep Roots), dire...

In this episode we talk in-depth about his upbringing in Jersey City and some of the valuable life lessons he learned from his Father, Reason Smith.  We discuss his football career at Montclair State University. It was at College where he became more aware of African-American history, his Ancestors and those who paved the way for him. The Father of Hannibal Smith who I recently interviewed in epis...

Hard work and a drive to be one of the  best Jazz booking and management agents in the country are some of things discussed in this episode. We start from his humble beginnings in Cody, Wyoming to Playing Jazz bass in New York City, to becoming owner of B Natural, Inc.   After some trials and tribulations, and a spiritual quest he wound up at Oberlin College and Conservatory where he honed his ski...

In this episode Tom Goodwin documents his humble beginnings in Fresno, CA to a 14 year career as a Major League Baseball player.  Passion, perseverance and the joy of playing a childhood game are some of the reasons he credits for a successful career in baseball and in life.  The son of a Judge and an Educator, he talks about what is was like to have a strong and supportive family and how it helpe...

What is it like to experience a tragic loss, working to overcome it and spending every waking day of your life as if it was your last?  These are some of the things Hannibal addresses in this honest and passionate conversation. We also discuss his upbringing, the different parenting styles of his mother and father and the meaning of his name and what it means to him.  We talk about his current pos...

During this episode Frederick Marx talks extensively about rites of passage programs, the Mankind Project, mentorship, meditation and the value of creating positive containers for young people.  We discuss his inspiring documentary "Journey From Zanskar" featuring the Dali Lama with narration by Richard Gere. His five film mini-series "Veterans Journey Home". His recent book &q...

Javon Jackson talks in depth about his early influences and how having strong and supportive parents helped to shape his musical journey. He shares some of the knowledge, wisdom , and life lessons he learned as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and from playing with legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. We also discuss his time at Berklee College of Music, his current position at Hartf...

During this episode I talk with Alyce Smith-Cooper, the Golden Brown Fairy Godmother. We talk about her upbringing in Riverside, CA and how much her grandmother meant to her. We also discuss her work in the theatre, her journey as a storyteller and her recent Legacy Artist Fellow Award from the California Arts Council.

During this episode we dive deep into all things Jazz. We discuss  the early pioneers who helped shape this great music. We talk about his journey in becoming one of the most important voices in documenting Jazz music. We also talk about what went into writing his most critically acclaimed books, "A Love Supreme"  by John Coltrane and "Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis. 

The 4th installment  from City Heights/East Dago legends.  During this extensive and in depth conversation, Andre Hardy discusses his mother and the important life lessons she taught him.  We also talk about his athletic career at Hoover High School and some of the transgressions that followed soon after.  We talk about the legendary Turkey Bowl and what it meant to us. And finally we discuss his...

The 3rd installment from City Heights/East Dago legends.  During this episode I talk with Highland Park coach and Hoover High class of 1980 alum "Yogi" Najera.  We talk about his early influences and what is was like to be a part of an incredible community.  We also discuss the importance of family, playing in the famous "cage", and the ups and downs of a 30 year employee for t...

During this episode Joe Dyson talks in depth about playing in church as a very young boy, and growing up around many great leaders, and mentors. He talks about the influence of his father Rev. Dr. J.C. Dyson, Sr. who makes a guest appearance on his recent album "A Look Within".   We discuss his mentor Big Chief Donald Harrison and what he has meant to his music career and his life in gen...

Eso Won Books which means "Water Over Rocks" in the Ethiopian Amharic language was founded in 1989. During this episode we discuss James Fugate's upbringing in Detroit before eventually making his way to South Central Los Angeles. He talks about his passion for books and what it's meant to be apart of a bookstore that's been a beacon of light and culture in the Historic Le...

During this episode Kervin talks about life in Saint Lucia as a kid before moving to London at age 9.  After major culture shock he found the game of Cricket where he became an elite player.  We also discuss his time at art college and his passion for clothes which led him to become a world renowned fashion designer. 

During this episode Mark talks about what it was like growing up in City Heights with a father as a Police Officer, and how two supportive parents helped his dream come true. We also talk about his amazing journey from little league baseball to the major leagues.  From playing strike out in his driveway with Charles Steel to watching his older brothers play sports at a high level.  Currently a def...

During this episode we discuss his passion for Southern food, specifically BBQ.  We also talk about his writing for the HBO series Treme and what is what like to be in the writers room with David Simon and Eric Overmyer. We talk about Jazz, Mardi Gras Indians and how important it is to preserve the history and culture of New Orleans. 

During this episode Mr. McPherson talks about his upbringing in West Detroit. It was there where he would stand  outside the famous Detroit Jazz Club Blue Bird Inn  and listen to the house band which included Barry Harris on piano Paul Chambers on bass and Elvin Jones on drums.  We also discuss his playing with Charles Mingus from 1960-1972.  He also tells a story about meeting Charlie Parker as a...