Eric's Perspective : A podcast series on African American art

In this episode, Eric speaks with Sandra Jackson-Dumont — director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. They discuss her experience of growing up in San Francisco, her initial exposure and relationship to art.. her academic journey and what eventually lead her into a career path in the art and museum world. Her distinctly creative approach to making art and museums more accessible to the...

In this episode, in this episode, Eric sits down with rapper, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, activist and founder of Think Watts... STIX aka "Watts Stix"! They discuss his family history and how they first settled in Watts, California and the impactful cultural figures that have emerged from the region throughout history. How he first began making music and how he eventually reevalu...

In this episode, Eric sits down with accomplished musician, composer, essayist and abstract artist Todd Cochran. They discuss how he was born in San Francisco and raised in a household of deep love for the arts; filled with music and conversations about art and culture. Growing up in the Lakeview district; a largely Black but racially mixed neighborhood and community.. and the influential role tha...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the legendary artist Artis Lane… where they discuss her life as a young girl having emigrated from Canada to Michigan and formative experiences she had that later informed her artwork. They discuss her travels as a young adult to South Africa and exposure to apartheid.. Her prolific and celebrated artistic career that includes her exceptional portrait work, her...

In this episode, Eric sits down with multidisciplinary artist and activist Yrneh Gabon who opens up about growing up in Jamaica, how his passion for art and expression grew, studying art, music and theatre as a young boy.. to eventually competing in national competitions, leaving school and entering the professional world of filmmaking, art and performance which lead him to an exciting and multifa...

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist, gallerist, teacher & advocate Alonzo Davis; where they discuss Davis’ childhood; growing up in a community of educators near Tuskeege University campus in Alabama, to moving to Los Angeles as a teen… his education in the arts and a life changing road trip that he took with is brother, Dale where they visited with various artists of color around the Uni...

In this episode Eric sits down with the wonderful author Lynne Thompson where they discuss her childhood, family roots and fascination with African American history. How she transitioned from being a lawyer, to eventually following her dream to write and become a poet. They discuss how Thompson was recently appointed Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles and the many activities she has done in...

In this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Richard Wyatt Jr. about how he first discovered art at a young age and becoming a prodigy. He describes his educational journey and experience whilst studying at the Watts Towers Art Center and being mentored by great artists... his connection with music and how it relates to art, his passion for exploring various mediums and collaboration, his w...

In this episode, Eric speaks with historian, scholar and advocate Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson who talks about her family tree, history and the journey of her ancestors who migrated to and settled in Los Angeles, the African American experience in Southern California during the twentieth century during the Jim Crow era and how this changed California. Eric and Dr. Jefferson discus her recent book ent...

In this episode, Eric speaks with the delightful scholar, writer and curator Dr. Bridget R. Cooks; who shares about how she became fascinated with art and exposed to museums at a young age and how it inspired her to become involved in the art world. They discuss how she explored many paths from becoming an artist.. to having found her direction; a dedication and passion for her mission of spotligh...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Robert C. Davidson, Jr; successful entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist. He and Eric discuss his experience as a young boy; growing up in the Jim Crow era of the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee and how his parents were both entrepreneurs and great inspirations to him: His mother opened a restaurant for black patrons in 1944 after seeing that African American...

In this episode, Eric speaks with Kristin Sakoda; director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, where they discuss her journey in the arts; beginning as a child performer in Chicago, to professional dancer in New York with the Urban Bush Women dance company to performing in musicals on Broadway including the famed show Rent.. to original cast member of Mamma Mia! and later com...

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist Mark Steven Greenfield; about his journey and education in the arts and the great artists who mentored him. They discuss his experience of growing up and living in the Philippines and Germany and how that shaped his outlook on life and ideas of racism and oppression. They discuss his body of work that deals with themes such as  African American stereotypes,...

In this episode, Eric speaks with art and culture nonprofit consultant Charmaine Jefferson who talks about how her passion for the arts came about; from training in ballet and tap dance as a child and always having been surrounded by art — her uncle renowned artist John Riddle, her brother who is an artist and her aunt who had an artistic inclination. She talks about her days as a professional dan...

In this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Gustave Blache III who talks about his journey as an artist; his education, working with gallerists and establishing his unique style of painting -- combining traditional painting methods of portraiture with journalism in a brand of art which he affectionately terms, Visual Journalism: series of paintings that documents the lives of  and  highlig...

In this episode, Eric speaks with renowned actress, collector, activist and art patron CCH Pounder; who talks about her passion of the arts and opens up about the dilemma she once faced about as a young girl -- on whether to pursue acting or become a visual artist. Although she decided to pursue acting, she speaks about her long time commitment to art and artists.. collecting artwork of artists fr...

In this episode, Eric speaks with esteemed scholar and writer Dr. Halima Taha. She shares her experience of how she first came into contact with the arts, her experience as co-owner of the Onyx Art Gallery, the first gallery in Gramercy Park to sell abstract art by African American artists New York City, combating the historic limitations and stereotypes that have been projected on artists of Afri...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated June Edmonds who describes her journey of becoming an artist... from deciding to pursue art, majoring in art at college,  to furthering her studies under the mentorship of esteemed artists, to eventually developing her own unique style and exhibiting her work at renowned galleries and art fairs around the world.  For more visit: www....

In this episode, Eric sits down with the lovely Evelia Jones, direct descendant of Sally Hemings; intimate companion of Thomas Jefferson for nearly four decades with whom he had six children. They discuss her experience as a child growing up in the South, her exposure to art and performance as a young girl, her Father -- the late, talented but somewhat unsung hero; artist Lawrence A. Jones, the ro...

In this episode, Eric sits down with his lovely wife Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks at their residence where they discuss her great love of African American art... how being of African descent lead her to study African American art to help her connect with her history and heritage and how art enriches her life and work environment. They discuss the power of art as a weapon to tell a story beyond the history...

In this episode, Berlinda Fontenont-Jamerson (now former) President of the Museum of African American Art describes how she transitioned from a successful career in corporate America, to becoming a leading figure in sharing African American stories and uplifting communities through the power of art and economic development . For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Born in raised in Los...

In this episode, LA native George Evans describes his lifelong relationship with art; having being raised in an artistic home, to receiving mentorship from renowned African American artists and how his art has continued to evolve throughout the years. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: George was born in Watts and grew up on 89th Street in an artistic family that nurtured a love o...

In this episode bestselling author Terry McMillan opens up about her early days as an up-and coming author to ultimately achieving great success.. what art means to her and how her relationship with art has evolved over the years.  For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Terry McMillan is an American novelist. Born and raised in Port Huron, Michigan., she discovered her love of literat...

Eric sits down with professor and longtime civil rights activist Paul Von Blum, who describes his experiences during the civil rights movement and his involvement in helping to pave the way for the recognition of African American art and the establishment of African American studies.  For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Paul Von Blum is Senior Lecturer in African American Studies a...

In this episode, Eric sits down with art collector and patron of African American art; Dr. Joy Simmons who describes her journey of discovering art at a young age while in Medical school. They explore her passion for collecting and supporting African-American artists. Guest Bio: A radiologist at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center for 37 years, Joy masterfully juggles her passion for pati...