Native Drums

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to rebuild the village around a family—practically, not just in words? We sat down with Representative Robert Williams to trace the journey from a fatherhood , to a comprehensive Families Engagement Program serving parents, youth, veterans, and seniors across the PEE DEE  area. The throughline is simple and powerful: exposure, consistency, and community support c...

Send us Fan Mail What if the single most powerful lever in education isn’t a new curriculum or app, but a teacher who truly knows the student? We sit down with Dr. Larry Jackson—former superintendent and now executive director of the PEE DEE Education Center—to explore how personal connection, consistent family “non-negotiables,” and community partnership lift kids higher than any quick fix. From...

Send us Fan Mail A church that raised leaders now fuels a mayor who leads with neighbors at the center. We sat down with Mayor Lithonia Barnes to unpack a people-first blueprint for Florence: from fireside chats that turn feedback into action, to a citywide march that pairs civic pride with hot grits and a clear call to show up. She shares how honoring Dr. Iola Jones’ legacy became the backbone of...

Send us Fan Mail What if the true measure of a church isn’t its size, but the lives it lifts? That question powers a candid, inspiring conversation with Reverend Dr. Charles B. Jackson, who began preaching at nine, became a pastor at eighteen, and has spent 54 years turning faith into tangible change. We go beyond biography to map a blueprint any community can adapt: scholarships for every college...

Send us Fan Mail Transforming education through excellence, discipline, and high expectations isn't just a lofty ideal—it's achievable reality, as demonstrated by Dr Brooks  remarkable 31-year journey as principal of Wilson High School. This powerful testimony reveals how a predominantly African-American school overcame negative perceptions to become recognized for academic excellence, a...

Send us Fan Mail Freedom delayed is still freedom worth celebrating. Jazzy Poetic: The Juneteenth Experience takes listeners on a soul-stirring journey through music, poetry, and storytelling to explore the profound significance of June 19, 1865—the day when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas, a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Bh...

Send us Fan Mail From the shadows of segregation to the frontlines of protest, Ralph Canty Sr. takes us on an extraordinary journey through the civil rights movement in Sumter, South Carolina. Born in 1945 just blocks from Lincoln High School, Canty emerged as a fearless young activist whose determination to dismantle racial barriers would forever change his community. With remarkable clarity, Can...

Send us Fan Mail The front porches of Augusta, Georgia shaped Dr. Bobby Donaldson long before formal education ever could. Through his grandmother's stories, the seeds of historical inquiry were planted, setting him on a path to become one of the nation's foremost chroniclers of South Carolina's civil rights movement. When Dr. Donaldson arrived at the University of South Carolina 25...

Send us Fan Mail "We be sisters. We be the same, coming from the same place, going through." The powerful poetry of Lucille Clifton opens this profound exploration of sisterhood, collective power, and remembrance during Women's History Month. What happens when women recognize their shared journey and lock arms together? The answer transforms families, communities, and nations. With...

Send us Fan Mail The journey from slavery to freedom marks the most transformative period in African American history. Dr. Harry Singleton masterfully guides us through this pivotal moment, revealing how the Emancipation Proclamation launched an unprecedented era of Black advancement during Reconstruction. Lincoln's path to signing the proclamation wasn't straightforward. Despite being r...

Send us Fan Mail The contradictions of American freedom stand starkly revealed in this fascinating exploration of how slavery's opponents fought relentlessly against the institution through rebellion, escape, and the written word. When the founding fathers chose to maintain Black enslavement after winning independence from Britain, they created a moral hypocrisy that would haunt the nation fo...

Send us Fan Mail A revolutionary theological upheaval took place in early 19th century America that fundamentally challenged how Christianity interpreted freedom. When Anglican Bishop George Berkeley crafted his 1727 letter to plantation owners, he created a theological framework that would dominate American Christianity for generations: the dangerous notion that "Christian freedom" was...

Send us Fan Mail This episode examines the complex relationship between Christianity and the institution of slavery, exploring how theological concepts shaped perceptions and experiences of Black individuals throughout history. We discuss the intersections of faith, identity, and the often-inverted narrative presented by pro-slavery ideologies.  - Historical context of African slavery impacting re...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the brutal truths of the transatlantic slave trade and the enduring scars it left on generations with our esteemed guest, Dr. Harry Singleton. Through gripping narratives, we examine how slaveholders strategically dismantled family bonds and social cohesion to suppress unity among enslaved people. From the bustling auction blocks of Charleston and New Orleans to the oppre...

Send us Fan Mail Could Africa's rich history have been overshadowed by misconceptions? Join us as Dr. Harry Singleton from the University of South Carolina challenges the outdated myth of Africa as a "Dark Continent" and sheds light on its remarkable civilizations in regions like Libya, Mali, and present-day Ghana. Discover the truth behind the transatlantic slave trade and learn wh...

Send us Fan Mail What if the stories you’ve been told have only scratched the surface of history? Join us on a journey with Dr. Henry H. Singleton III, a distinguished scholar in African-American history, as he uncovers the layers of struggle and triumph that have shaped the African American experience. Raised in a household that championed education and activism, Dr. Singleton brings unparalleled...