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News for July 18, 2021

Gangstagrass Builds Bridges with Beats & Music

On June 28, 2021 Gangstagrass stunned the world when they appeared on America's Got Talent and got unanimous yeses from all of the judges including Simon Cowell. By chance, I saw the group perform in Stevens Point, Wisconsin during the town's Independence Day celebration. I watched and felt a kind of magic unravel as folks as different in appearance as the group themselves got up and danced while taking in songs addressing everything from mass incarceration to struggle to the ongoing quest for freedom to the backdrop of fiddles, beats and rapping. The band spent an hour with me describing their musical journeys and their aspirations for bringing about unity in the country and beyond. Listen and be inspired. 

June 20, 2021 Newscast

As Juneteenth is declared a national holiday just before Father's Day, what does it mean when many fathers are still not free? Listen in for this and other stories from this weekend's newscast. 

Juneteenth & Father's Day--Pastor Kenny Sharpton Glasgow & His Daughter Speak

President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday just hours before June 19th, the day it is commemorated. While this is a milestone of progress, there is an irony of this celebration of freedom happening on Father's Day weekend--as so many fathers are incarcerated and away from their children.

Pastor Kenny reflects on his own experience being away from his children for fourteen years while he was incarcerated and how his journey in founding TOPS (The Ordinary People Society) with his children at his side when he was released. His daughter also shares her experience of being away from her dad and then working with him to empower other disenfranchised people.

A Closer Look at Palestine & Israel Conflict--Sunday, May 30, 2021

Getting to the Heart of the Matter--A Palestinian & An Israeli Perspective

As we know, there are many sides to every story. I spoke with a 35 year old Israeli who spent 23 years in Israel before moving to the East Bay and with Palestinian American Dr. Haten Bazian, to gain perspective and analysis with what is at play in the region. 

What does the modern day wage gap look like?

Join Professor Loan Dao, Professor Robin Dunn, Calvin Monroe and Sharon Sobotta in a discussion about the complexities of the modern day age gap and the nuances that don't show up in basic data or report summaries. 

This program is brought to you in collaboration with Community Engagement Students working with the Center for Women & Gender Equity. 

Origami--Folding to cope with BFRBS Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors)

The children in this segment reside in California, Texas and Canada and they've never met in person? What brings them together and how have they become such good friends?

Each of them struggle with body focused repetitive behaviors. They come together virtually with Jen Patterson, the founder of the Origami Story club, with for the three-fold purpose (pun intended) *folding to cope *connecting *and honing their crafts. 

April 18, 2021

A mass shooting in Indianapolis leaving four Sikh dead.

The country is in a state of unrest on the heels of the killing of Daunte Wright as Derek Chavin awaits his fate.

The lifting of Wisconsin's mask mandate sends unmasked children to Wisconsin classrooms. 

and 

Every 73 seconds, another American is a victim of sexual assault. 

Generations of Women at Saint Mary's College of California

As SMC celebrates a half century of co-education, a group of women including NBC Bay Area New Anchor Laura Garcia, Berkeley City College President Angelica Garcia, Vice President of Mission at SMC Dr. Frances Sweeney, Residential Experience Coordinator Samantha Alberto and Vice President of Heffernan Insurance Jordan Coleman, spoke about their experience at SMC and that way it has impacted their personal and professional lives.