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, 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…
Thursday, March 17, 2022: From diapers to dollars: One Black entrepreneur’s journey.
Jasmin Smith’s new business began with what all new moms dread. She ran out of diapers while shopping at a mall with her baby twins and had to make do with a blanket and some baby clothes. Although her improvised solution was far from ideal, it did spark the idea for BabyVend – a…
Jasmin Smith says it’s never easy to start a new kind of business, but as a Black woman, there are simply more hurdles in winning the confidence of investors. On top of that, it was hard to convince them about the need for vending machines to dispense diapers and baby supplies. Also, starting a company…
BabyVend was only the beginning an for Anchorage mom
Guests: Jasmin Smith, owner and founder of BabyVendJasmin Smith says it’s never easy to start a new kind of business, but as a Black woman, there are simply more hurdles in winning the confidence of investors. On top of that, it was hard to convince them about the need for vending machines to dispense diapers and baby supplies. Also, starting a company…
Thursday, March 10, 2022: A crypto conversation: Why Black Americans find empowerment in the digital economy.
Studies show that LBGTQ and Black Americans are leading the cryptocurrency revolution. In a survey last year, the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, found that the majority of crypto investors are under forty, do not have college degrees, and two-fifths are people of color. On this Thursday’s Culture Rich Conversations, Christina…
Joseph Juana Robinson says the crypto world is full of scams and get-rich-schemes — but if you do your homework, keep humble, stay patient and don’t get greedy — there are opportunities to earn big returns. Robinson believes cryptocurrency is a form of investment that offers economic empowerment to Black Americans and other historically disadvantaged…
Cryptocurrency: A brave new world for Black investors.
Guests: Joseph Juana Robinson, a self-taught cryptocurrency investor.Joseph Juana Robinson says the crypto world is full of scams and get-rich-schemes — but if you do your homework, keep humble, stay patient and don’t get greedy — there are opportunities to earn big returns. Robinson believes cryptocurrency is a form of investment that offers economic empowerment to Black Americans and other historically disadvantaged…
Thursday, March 3, 2022: A conversation about friendship and race continues…
It was an intimate discussion between two friends that began on the radio, not long after George Floyd was murdered. Heather Pedersen, who is white, worried about how the social upheaval from this tragedy would affect her black friend, Kelli Patterson – who is also one of the hosts of Culture Rich Conversations, a weekly…
An intimate conversation with Kelli Patterson and Heather Pedersen about their cross-racial friendship
Conversation about friendship and race continues…
Guests: Kelli Patterson and Heather PedersenAn intimate conversation with Kelli Patterson and Heather Pedersen about their cross-racial friendship
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