Episodes
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Survivor Stories: Breast Cancer Awareness
October 27 Basic Black: Black and Brown Women Surviving Breast Cancer October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this week on Basic Black, we bring together survivors and experts to discuss Included in this episode is a piece by host Crystal Haynes getting a follow up mammogram. According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are about 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. They are often diagnosed with a more aggressive form of the disease and sometimes at a younger age. Panelists: Dr. Naomi Ko, Associate Professor, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, AND Medical Oncologist at Boston Medical Center Nekia Clark, Director of Patient Services and Outreach at the Ellie Fund AND Co-Chair of the Boston Breast Equity Coalition...Nekia is also a breast cancer survivor. Jani Raynor, Patient living with breast cancer AND a former patient of the Ellie Fund. Karen Burns White, Deputy Associate Director, Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, Center for Cancer Equity and Engagement at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. Crystal Haynes hosts. -
A New Play about Writer, Poet and Author Phillis Wheatley
Nov. 17 Basic Black: Phillis in Boston There is a new play in Boston about poet, writer and author Phillis Wheatley. Phillis in Boston centers around Wheatley returning to Boston from London in 1773, after her getting her book published. However, copies of her book are stuck on the Dartmouth--the ship that also transported tea from Britain embroiled in the Boston Tea Party conflict. The play and our episode highlight other moments of Wheatley’s life including her relationship with her enslaver, Susanna Wheatley. Performances of Phillis in Boston are at the historic Old South Meeting House. It's the same gathering place where Wheatley was a congregant. Later in the program, we also feature a series of banners in Roxbury and Dorchester that honor other notable Black women including Marita Rivero, GBH’s former Vice President and General Manager. Panelists: Adeola ‘Ade’ Solanke, Playwright of, "Phillis in Boston" and founder and director of Spora Stories. Kyera Singleton, Executive Director of the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford. Joshua Olumide, Actor who plays Prince Hall. Adreyanua Jean-Louis, Actor, who plays Phillis Wheatley. Kristen Pope hosts. -
Honoring Hispanic and Latin Culture: Learning about their Heritage and Contributions in Massachusetts
Nov. 10 Basic Black: Hispanic and Latin Culture There are more than 800,000 Latinos who call Massachusetts their home. Some reports estimate the number is much higher. But, as we recognize the history and contributions in art, music, food, and entrepreneurship, we cannot overlook on going socioeconomic issues – from housing to putting food on the table for their families. Friday’s episode will discuss the issues, concerns, and opportunities in the Hispanic and Latino community. Panelists: Dr. Celina Miranda, Executive Director of the Hyde Square Task Force. Dr. Lorna Rivera, Director of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy at U-Mass Boston. Beyazmin Jimenez, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Culture at Northeastern University. Betty Francisco, C-E-O of Boston Impact Initiative AND Co-Founder of Amplify Latin X. Kristen Pope hosts. -
Attend Community College for Free - New Massachusetts program
Nov. 3 Basic Black: Free Community College and Black Americans' Trust in the News This week, a recent survey conducted by the PEW Research Center, found that Black Americans said there are a range of issues on how the media reports stories about Black people, and more care is needed. We’ll have a panelist joining us remotely at the top of the episode to discuss some of the findings from the report. Then, a discussion about Free Community College. About 33 states offer free tuition. Now in Massachusetts, residents, 25 and older without a degree can apply to attend community college for free, through Mass Re-Connect, a program Gov. Healey launched. The panelists discuss how the program can help change the economic outlook for many students of color of the newly popular program. Panelists: Ronald Mitchell co-owner, editor and publisher, The Bay State Banner (remote) Jackie Jenkins Scott, Interim President, Roxbury Community College Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D., Massachusetts Secretary of Education Pam Eddinger, Ph.D., President, Bunker Hill Community College. She is also a member of the GBH board. Nehemie Desulme, Roxbury Community College student currently in the Mass Re-Connect program. Tanisha Sullivan hosts. -
Basic Black Episodes that Impact the Community
October 20 Memorable Moments This episode will bring together past guests to discuss memorable and pivotal episodes that had an impact on Black, Indigenous and people of color, here in Boston and around the world. It is also long-time moderator, Callie Crossley’s last show permanently hosting the program. People will still be able to see and hear Callie on her radio program, Under the Radar, GBH News and the new radio program, The Culture Show. Panelists: Renée Graham, Associate Editor and Opinion Columnist, The Boston Globe’s op-ed page. Kim McLarin, Professor and Interim Dean, Graduate and Professional Studies at Emerson College. Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter, GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. Callie Crossley hosts. -
Do You Know Where all of Your Money is Going? Understanding Money and Debt
Across the country, communities of color continue to face the pressures of debt and deal with its impact on their mental health and livelihood. For many, debt can feel insurmountable as the costs of living, housing, and food continue to rise, sometimes it doesn't seem clear how to get out of debt. This week on Basic Black at the Boston Public Library, our discussion is about the significant impact of credit card and other types of debt, plus hear some methods to help reduce debt. Panelists: William Watkins, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Partnerships, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts Sabrina Antoine Correia, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan & Chase Paris Alston, co-host of Morning Edition GBH 89.7 hosts -
Bay State Banner - March on Washington
Basic Black: March on Washington and New Bay state Banner Owners Our show on Friday we will recognize the upcoming 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and the new owners of the Bay State Banner. In many ways the Bay State Banner may have not happened if it wasn’t for the March on Washington. The March for Freedom, Civil Rights and jobs along with the passage of 1964 Civil Right Act, inspired editor and publisher Melvin Miller to start the Banner, covering local and national stories affecting Boston’s African American community. Now the torch has been passed to two new Black owners of the Bay State Banner, and we’ll learn what they have in store for the 58-year-old newspaper. Panelists: Ronald Mitchell, Co-Owner, Editor and Publisher, Bay State Banner. Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director, Mill Cities Community Investments, lead investor for the Bay State Banner André Stark, Co-Owner and C-O-O, Bay State Banner. Callie Crossley hosts. -
Grace by Nia - One of Boston Seaport's Newest Venues Opens
The Economic Growth of Seaport Boston. We are on location at Grace by Nia, a new Black-owned supper club in Boston’s Seaport District. From what was a thousand acres of scrubby vacant land and parking lots, the seaport district has developed into a sparkling prime location for retail, housing, and entertainment. But businesses of color have struggled to gain a foothold in the area the Boston Globe’s spotlight team once described as, a “brand new Boston, even whiter than the old.” that was six years ago—what’s changed? And will the future bring more diversity? Nia Grace Owner, Grace by Nia AND board member, Meet Boston. Corean Reynolds, Director of Nightlife Economy, City of Boston. and Richard Taylor, Managing Director, Nubian Square Development, LLC AND Chairman, Taylor Smith Group; part of the joint venture development of the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. Welcome to you all. -
Haitian Heritage Month/Racheal Rollins resigns
Basic Black: Rachael Rollins and Haitian Heritage Month At the top of the show, we will discuss the resignation of Mass. US Attorney Rachael Rollins. Then, a conversation about Haitian Heritage month – the significance of the celebration, what it means for the third largest Haitian population in the U.S. living here in Massachusetts, as well as issues that plague the country---from weather disasters, the President Moïse’s assassination in his home to the number of Haitian immigrants finding their way to Boston. Rahsaan Hall, Principal, Rahsaan Hall Consulting AND former Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU of Massachusetts. Rev. Dieufort J. Fleurissaint, President & Executive Director, True Alliance Center, Inc.; AND Chair, Haitian Americans United, Inc. Marie St. Fleur, Principal, St. Fleur Communications AND former State Representative, 5th Suffolk District, she was the first Haitian immigrant to hold public office in Massachusetts. Alix Cantave, PhD., Senior Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He is a former Associate Director, William Trotter Institute at UMass Boston Callie Crossley Hosts. -
The Joy of Black Theatre
5/12 BLACK THEATRE Black Theatre is having more than a “moment.” On the stage, more actors and artists of color are presenting outstanding work and stories about African American life. AND more plays. It’s a much different story from the early days of the pandemic when theatre shut down. The protest movement following the murder of George Floyd convinced theatre owners to adopt equity initiatives and opportunities for diverse artists of color. As we enjoy the range of our stories being told on the stages here in Boston, where is Black theatre headed, who is coming to watch and how will building community relationships help sustain the artform? Dawn Meredith Simmons, Co-Founder and Co-Producing Artistic Director, The Front Porch Arts Collective Kristen Greenidge, Playwright and Associate Professor, Boston University AND Artist-in-Residence, Company One Theater. Lyndsay Allyn Cox, Producing Director, The Huntington Theatre Company. Olawumi Akinwumi Deputy Director-Programs, ArtsBoston AND Founder, AfroDesiaCity. Philip Martin, Sr. Investigative Reporter, GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting hosts.
