Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation

Josephine Bolling McCall reflects upon her father's lynching in Lowndes County, Alabama- The Lynching of Elmore McCall. For decades, Elmore Bolling's family believed myths perpetuated by white people, and even by Rosa Parks, about why he was killed: that he was involved in a love triangle or that he had insulted his assailant's wife. Though Josephine Bolling McCall's father was killed when she was...

Leon Von Brown is the uncle of the late and acclaimed jazz trumpeter, Clifford Brown. Leon shares memories of his uncle and efforts create a lasting legacy about him. Von Brown also talks about his amazing career. Brown has theater and dance credits to include singing, acting, dancing, and choreography. He has worked on set with Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne and Malcolm Jamaal-Warner and co-st...

KCSM radio's own Sonny Buxton has been selected by the Jazz Journalists Association to receive the 2013 Jazz Hero Award for his contributions and dedication to broadcasting. Buxton, along with 25 other musicians and educators from the United States and Canada will be honored May 5 at the Jazz Heritage Center in San Francisco. Initially, Buxton never considered a future in radio or television as a...

Sonny Buxton has met and worked with some of the greatest entertainers in history over the years, from Duke Ellington to Sarah Vaughn, Eartha Kitt, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge and Smokey Robinson. Buxton credits Leonard Russell in Seattle and Charles Sullivan for exposing him to the business side of radio and music by booking shows, clubs and concerts at the Fillmore and the Richmond Auditorium. Bux...

In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots." He highlights the cri...

In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots." He highlights the cri...

In this eye-opening episode, we explore the deep-seated and often unconscious biases that persist in the U.S. with Tim Wise, renowned author and anti-racism educator. Drawing from his book "White Like Me" and his recent speech, Wise sheds light on the pervasive racism that affects people of color and the collective denial that allows it to persist. Wise begins by addressing the crucial premise tha...

On this episode, we honor Ernest Green, a member of the historic Little Rock Nine, as he reflects on his experience as one of the first African-American students to attend Little Rock Central High School.  Green shares his profound insights on the importance of Black History Month and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Green delves into the critical moments of his journey, including the prejud...

Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world.  Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barba...

Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world.  Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barba...

Join us for an inspiring and powerful episode as we sit down with Spencer Haywood, an NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Born into the harsh realities of the segregated Mississippi Delta, Spencer was one of ten children growing up in a shantytown, picking cotton and facing the brutalities of racism and the KKK. Amidst the violence and oppression, Spencer's spiritual mother...

Join us for an inspiring and powerful episode as we sit down with Spencer Haywood, an NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Born into the harsh realities of the segregated Mississippi Delta, Spencer was one of ten children growing up in a shantytown, picking cotton and facing the brutalities of racism and the KKK. Amidst the violence and oppression, Spencer's spiritual mother...

Have you ever wished to sit down for an intimate conversation with Miles Davis? Dive deep into the life and legacy of jazz legend Miles Davis in this compelling two-part series featuring an exclusive interview with Quincy Troupe, the acclaimed author of "Miles: The Autobiography" and "Miles & Me." With 21 books to his name, including numerous award-winning volumes of poetry and memoirs, Troupe bri...

Have you ever wished to sit down for an intimate conversation with Miles Davis? Dive deep into the life and legacy of jazz legend Miles Davis in this compelling two-part series featuring an exclusive interview with Quincy Troupe, the acclaimed author of "Miles: The Autobiography" and "Miles & Me." With 21 books to his name, including numerous award-winning volumes of poetry and memoirs, Troupe bri...

Join us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush , the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk.  In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age...

Join us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush , the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk.  In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age...

Join us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush , the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk.  In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age...

Join us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush , the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk. In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age o...

Join us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush , the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk. In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age o...

Spotlighting the transformative work of the Plymouth United Church of Christ in Oakland, California. Led by the dynamic Rev.  Marjorie  Matthews, this vibrant community is a beacon of hope and healing for residents of Oakland. "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here," says Rev. Matthews, who shares her deep commitment to social justice and community healing,...

This week on "Like It Is," we chronicle the extraordinary efforts of environmentalist Julia Butterfly Hill, whose remarkable journey of activism captivated the nation. In an inspiring and unforgettable act of defiance, 23-year-old Julia lived in a 200-foot tall, 1000-year-old California Redwood tree named "Luna" for 738 days to prevent it from being cut down by a lumber company. Julia's fierce adv...

Delve into the complexities and challenges of public service with our special guest, Amourence Lee. As the former mayor of San Mateo, California, Lee offers an unfiltered look at the realities of being a public servant, as the first Asian woman elected to office in the largest City in her San Francisco, Bay Area County. In this compelling episode, Lee, a dedicated community builder, shares her per...

Join our conversation with renowned Lebanese-American media critic, scholar, and author Jack Shaheen to discuss his groundbreaking work on how Hollywood perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims in Western media. As the author of "Reel Bad Arabs," Jack Shaheen dedicated his career to exposing and challenging racial and ethnic stereotypes in popular culture. His insightful analysis sheds...

This memorable and award-winning episode sheds light on the transformative impact of one woman and was honored with a Silver CINDY Award from the International CINDY Competition. In this edition of Like It Is, we pay tribute to the late Dorothy Garner, an extraordinary woman who was the first female prison corrections officer in the State of Michigan. Affectionately known as "Mama G" by inmates, s...

In this edition of Like It Is, we focus on Barbara Hudson's story as a survivor of domestic violence. She bravely shares her story of abuse encompassing various forms such as physical aggression, threats, and control.  In the United States, approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence and other forms of abuse (CDC). Often hidden behind closed doors...