Culture Rich Conversations with the
Black Awareness Association, Juneau
They say the shortest distance between two people is a story – and every Thursday afternoon, the Black Awareness Association of Juneau bridges the gaps in our understanding about the biggest race and social justice issues of our times with thoughtful conversations from the Black community in this special series.
Led by Sherry Patterson, the Black Awareness Association of Juneau launched the series in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, which triggered the need for deeper discussions about racism and Black culture. KTOO is thrilled to partner with the Black Awareness Association of Juneau to bring you perspectives that were birthed from life experiences.
Thursday, October 13, 2022: Living Black in a White Community
Systemic racism, prejudice and misconceptions are an everyday occurrence for Blacks and other people of color in America. This week on Culture Rich Conversations, Christina Michelle asks this question: Could understanding the truth of living Black in a white community provide enough insight to create a spark that leads to racial equity? Her panelists this…
Part 1: Listen to the Show
Guests: Dr. Rose Moten, Tahkaja McRay, Ahmir Parker and Alicia Stettler.
Christina Michelle hosts and moderates a discussion of today’s hot topics in Black culture
Representing perspectives of Black Alaskans, this week’s guests share their takes on gospel music, Ketanji Brown Jackson, John Boyega’s dating preferences, police body cams and more.
Thursday, June 16, 2022: Juneteenth: A work in progress.
Black soul food and barbecue. Live music. Prayers and speeches. These are some of the common threads in Juneteenth celebrations across the country, to be held this year on Sunday, June 19. The federal holiday is on Monday. In this week’s Culture Rich Conversations, Kelli and Sherry Patterson explore the history of Juneteenth, originally a…
Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until two years later on June 19, 1865, that the news reached slaves in Texas. They were the last to be freed and celebrated with songs and prayer — a day that later became known as Juneteenth. While the holiday is celebrated…
Part 1: The story of Juneteenth, one that is still being written.
Guests: Janelle Everett, Director of College Recruitment, Iḷisaġvik CollegeAlthough President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until two years later on June 19, 1865, that the news reached slaves in Texas. They were the last to be freed and celebrated with songs and prayer — a day that later became known as Juneteenth. While the holiday is celebrated…
Thursday, June 2, 2022: Black Music Appreciation Month: Kenneth Monts looks back on a lifetime of music.
President Joe Biden has declared the month of June 2022 as Black Music Appreciation month. In a proclammation he wrote: “During Black Music Appreciation Month, we honor Black musicians, singers, and contributors to the music industry — past and present — whose innovative talents unite us in joy as much as in sorrow and healing. We…
When James Brown sang, “Say it loud. I’m Black and I’m proud,” those were radical words in the turbulent 1960’s. But to Kenneth Monts, they were words he needed to hear and stayed with him for a lifetime. In this interview with his niece, Kelli Patterson, Monts talks about how Brown and other Black…
Part 1: Kenneth Monts reflects: Growing up with Stevie, Aretha and James.
Guests: Kenneth Months, Black history buff.When James Brown sang, “Say it loud. I’m Black and I’m proud,” those were radical words in the turbulent 1960’s. But to Kenneth Monts, they were words he needed to hear and stayed with him for a lifetime. In this interview with his niece, Kelli Patterson, Monts talks about how Brown and other Black…
Thursday, May 26, 2022: The legacy of Charles Buggs, a Juneau artist, teacher and mentor.
It’s been ten years since a Juneau art teacher died, but every summer his niece still comes to the Capitol City to pay her respects. In this week’s program from the Black Awareness Association, Christina Michelle talks with Trina Lynch Jackson about her remarkable relationship with her uncle, Charles Buggs, who fashioned elaborate masks out…
Thursday, May 12, 2022: Black in Alaska: An ambitious multi-media project, telling the stories of Blacks living in the 49th state.
Black in Alaska’s mission is simple but daunting – to profile 50 people whose stories will help explain what it’s like to be Black in Alaska. The goal: to dismantle stereotypes and connect the Black community to fellow Alaskans. On this week’s Culture Rich Conversations, Christina Michelle talks with her mother Sherry Patterson, about her…
Jovelle Rennie realized there was a need for a story telling project about what it means to be Black in Alaska, when he asked people to name fifty Blacks who live in Alaska. Most couldn’t do it. Yet when Rennie began to make up his own list of Black Alaskans with interesting stories, that list…
Listen to the program: The story behind the Black in Alaska Project
Guests: Jovelle Rennie and Mayowa Aina, team members of the Black in Alaska project. Sherry Patterson, profiled in the Black in Alaska Project.Jovelle Rennie realized there was a need for a story telling project about what it means to be Black in Alaska, when he asked people to name fifty Blacks who live in Alaska. Most couldn’t do it. Yet when Rennie began to make up his own list of Black Alaskans with interesting stories, that list…
Thursday, May 5, 2022: Interracial friendships: A tale of two Michaels and two moms
There were two Michaels growing up in Juneau. One was black, the other was white. And although interracial friendships were unusual for the times, the two were best friends and their families, the Pattersons and the Barnes, became close because of the two boys. On this week’s Culture Rich Conversations, Michael and his mother, Sherry…
Listen to the show:
Color-blind friendships: How mothers can help to heal racism.
Guests: Michael Barnes and his mother, Lynn, longtime friends of the Patterson family.Listen to the show:
Thursday, April 28, 2022: Sharing Stories: First encounters with racism
They say racism may be hard to describe, but you know it when you see it. Often that’s not the case. For many their first encounters with racist behavior may not only be hurtful, but also confusing. On today’s Culture Rich Conversations, Michael Patterson talks with KTOO’s Rhonda McBride about growing up in the…
Reflections on early experiences with racism.
Michael Patterson talks with KTOO’s Rhonda McBride about her perspectives on racism, as an Asian American and a journalist.
Thursday, April 14, 2022: Series on Black hair continues: More than just curls, but also culture.
For more than twenty years Kiala Wesley was one of the few professionals in the Black hair industry in Alaska. She not only ran a salon in Anchorage that catered to Blacks, but also manufactured wigs and installed them. It wasn’t easy to retire. In a state with a small Black population, Wesley’s skills were…
Reflections from a former Anchorage salon owner, who discovered that Black identity and Black hair are often one in the same.
Listen to the program: Black hair, a symbol of identity.
Guests: Kiala Wesley, retired Black hair industry professional.Reflections from a former Anchorage salon owner, who discovered that Black identity and Black hair are often one in the same.
Thursday, March 24, 2022: The basics of Black hair: What you didn’t know…
This week’s “Culture Rich Conversations” from the Black Awareness Association of Juneau will probably make you feel perplexed and amazed at the same time. Sherry, Christina Michelle and Kelli Patterson openly share their “hair journeys” and dish on why Black hair is one of the most challenging and expensive types of hair to style. The…
This week’s Culture Rich Conversation: The trials and tribulations of Black hair
From the impact of Juneau’s damp climate on their hair — to having to schedule a flight out of Juneau to see a stylist who knows how to work with Black hair — Christina Michelle, Sherry and Kelli Patterson explain the challenges they face on a regular basis dealing with their hair and why it’s…Juneau Afternoon thanks its sponsors
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