On this episode I had the privilege of sitting with Eric Knox and Tyler Monk as we discussed what it takes to effectively encourage and constructively help kids of color pursue higher education. We use high level achievement in sports as the foundation of the discussion and then shift the focus to how we can transfer the sports excellence to academic excellence for our black and brown high schoolers. Eric Knox is the Head Coach of the 2019 Oregon state champion girls basketball team at Benson hi...
Jun 18, 2019•1 hr 4 min
This is a snippet of a potential segment and/or spin off podcast I'm working on. The concept is a series of "conversations" with some of the greatest Black American voices of the 20th century. Let me know what you think!
Jun 18, 2019•2 min
On this episode Oba and I are just chillin and chopping it up about life. We hadn’t seen or talked to each other in a while. We ended up discussing. Oba’s first journey into having a salaried position and what that transition has been like for him. I talk about my mismanagement of money while I was in corporate sales, making good money but spending more than I was making and racking up credit card debt. Most importantly, Oba is at that point in his life where he wants settle down and I do my bes...
Jun 11, 2019•1 hr 36 min
Some folks said that they didn't see the original episode post in the SoundCloud timeline, so this is simply being reposted as Episode 115.1 . . . On this episode I sit with one of the country's premier cowboys. Ramontay McConnell is a former Arizona State Sun Devil football players turned professional cowboy. Ramontay grew up in the south riding horses and once he reached his 20’s he decided to follow his passion full-time. #ad | Shop with Mister Ok's Essentials for 100% all-natural candles, so...
Jun 04, 2019•1 hr 16 min
On this episode I sit with one of the countries premier cowboys. Ramontay McConnell is a former Arizona State Sun Devil football players turned professional cowboy. Ramontay grew up in the south riding horses and once he reached his 20’s he decided to follow his passion full-time. I can’t fully confirm this, but Ramontay quite possibly may have been the inspiration of Old Town Rd by Lil’ Nas X ! Listen and enjoy! #ad | Shop with Mister Ok's Essentials for 100% all-natural candles, soap, and body...
Jun 02, 2019•1 hr 16 min
On this episode I speak with my guy Sanabah Kuyateh. He is from The Gambia in West Africa and he is a descendant the griots of West Africa. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to history and particularly African history. We discuss how the trans-saharan slave trade influenced the transatlantic slave trade. A lot of modern day Africans don’t have extensive knowledge on what happened to their ancestors that were shipped away in the transatlantic slave trade. Very similar to how in America, ...
May 28, 2019•2 hr 1 min
On this episode I speak with my guy Mike Cage. He's a father, husband, barber, radio/tv personality, real estate agent, and overall boss! He has own beard oil, and is the creator of the NW HairGods Barber Battle based in Portland, OR. Mike tells his story of how he left corporate America and how he's never looking back! #ad | Shop with Mister Ok's Essentials for 100% all-natural candles, soap, and body butter. Receive 10% off your next order when you use the promo code: SOX www.misteroksessentia...
May 21, 2019•1 hr 36 min
On this episode I discuss religious conviction (or lack thereof) with my guy G. Wade. G is an up and coming comedian in Portland, OR and he is also a military veteran. He shares about how he had some life changing revelations while stationed in Iraq and reading various religious texts. We begin the episode discussing G's journey in comedy, our favorite comedians, the genius of Dave Chappelle and Katt Williams, game 1 of the Western Conference finals between the Blazers vs Golden State, and the w...
May 14, 2019•2 hr 23 min
On this episode I sit down with Shanice Clarke who is running for the Zone 2 seat on the Portland (OR) Public School Board. Shanice shares her story of getting into college after completing her GED, to then getting her Masters. We discuss issues of how the Portland Public School system is failing black and latino children at a disproportionate rate, police officers in schools, staying vigilant to affect change while in an appointed political seat, and more... @shanice4pps has been on the campaig...
May 07, 2019•1 hr 26 min
Black Voices United is a community organizing and advocacy structure striving to create new opportunities for black community members to engage in educational, informational and political spaces throughout Oregon, with a specific emphasis in the Portland Metropolitan Area. This movement is focused on centering Black voices and providing pathways for Black community members to safely engage in local politics that directly impact their day-to-day lives. This event took place at Maranatha Church in...
May 02, 2019•1 hr 56 min
This episode was a live recording that took place April 18, 2019 at Abundant Life Church in Portland, OR. This event was a fundraiser for Camp ELSO, which is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to empowering youth of color to explore the possibilities of careers in science fields by exposure to unique outdoor learning opportunities while nurturing a love for the outdoors. I had the opportunity to interview two amazing people that are doing incredible work in the realm of environmental jus...
Apr 27, 2019•1 hr 13 min
On this week's episode Maundo and I listen and react to a 1954 video entitled "The Secret of Selling the Negro." The Secret of Selling the Negro depicts the lives, activities, and consumer behavior of African American professionals, students, and housewives. A Business Screen reviewer noted that the film focused on the “bright positive” aspects of the “new Negro family.” The film was created in partnership with Ebony and Jet magazine, in cooperation with the United States Department of Commerce....
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 48 min
On this weeks episode Oba and I continue to listen and react to the classic conversation that took place in 1971 between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin. The selected audio clips took us on a journey of discussion that touched on the immaculate conception, the role religion plays in the lives of black americans, the ability of the black man to express himself, black male masculinity, breadwinner mentality, etc. Once again, the convo of these two literary giants lay the foundation for a rich dis...
Apr 16, 2019•1 hr 58 min
On this week’s episode I have ascending Bay Area artist 8bitJ on the show as we review his most recent project. Jesse (8bitJ) and I go track by track as we dig to his very dope, extremely introspective, and cohesive body of work. Follow Jesse on IG - @8bitj_ Follow and listen on Soundcloud - 8bitj
Apr 10, 2019•1 hr 41 min
Ermias Asghedom aka Nipsey Hussle was slain March 31, 2019. It was a Sunday at about 5:22 PM when I discovered that Nipsey had been pronounced dead after having been shot 6 times in front of his 'Marathon' clothing store. Nipsey was a true pillar of his community. He invested in real estate and helped to revitalize businesses, he donated money to help renovate elementary schools, he started a successful STEM program for kids in LA. Nipsey was hyperactive in the neighborhood that he grew up in an...
Apr 02, 2019•53 min
On this episode I recap episodes 104 and 105, the Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin conversation review. I give a clear view of how I process the idea of white supremacy, I rehash the reparations portion of the conversation, and give a story behind how slavery still affects me and my family today.
Mar 21, 2019•33 min
On this week's episode Oba and I continue to listen and react to clips of a conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin that took place in 1971. A brief synopsis of the clips are as follows... 1. Giving your kid the game 2. Taking care of my block first, before I try to save the rest of the African Diaspora 3. We’re not obliged to believe the definitions that others give themselves. We have to make our own definitions and rule the world that way. Out of our terrifying sense of sufferin...
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 18 min
On this week's episode I'm joined by the good brother @Obabalu as we break down this profound conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin that took place in 1971. We touch on the topics of external and internal oppression, Willie Lynch, gaining the world vs. losing your soul, and reparations for American Descendants of Slaves.
Mar 12, 2019•1 hr 40 min
On this episode I had the pleasure of gleaning knowledge from world renowned Egyptologist Kara Cooney. Kara has received a PhD in Egyptology from Johns Hopkins University. She has curated Egyptian art exhibits around the world, she spent many years in Egypt as an archeologist. working at various excavations. She is an Associate Professor of Ancient Egyptian Art & Architecture and Chair of the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Cultures @UCLA. Kara answered all of the questions that I...
Mar 05, 2019•1 hr 23 min
On this episode Chuk Barber educates with knowledge of the Black Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. Chuk is one of the original members of the Skull and Bone gang of New Orleans and is the founder of the Northside Skull and Bone gang here in Oregon. Chuk migration to Portland started with the tragedy of hurricane Katrina. He did not evacuate for the storm, so he gives us his firsthand account of living through the storm. ***Lyft Driver Promo Code: Emmanuel32636*** Give 135 rides in your first 30...
Feb 26, 2019•2 hr 4 min
On this episode I had the privilege of going to the lab and seeing how Precious whips up the product! Precious Hannah is the creator of Mister OK's Essentials. She makes all-natural candles, soaps, and body butter. Precious shares an amazing story of how her son Onyx, out of necessity, became her first customer. As a shoe designer for Nike, Precious shares her method of managing the challenges that come with navigating corporate America as an African American woman... Listen and enjoy!!! Shop no...
Feb 20, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Yo it’s my 100th episode!!! I remember thinking that it would be crazy to ever get to 100 episodes, but we made it! I have Maundo rocking with me as we reminisce on our favorite moments in SXSNDLS history. As we moved beyond the nostalgia, we touched on Angela Rye’s comments on immigration when she was a guest on the breakfast club in January. We dig into the recent movement of boycotting Gucci, Prada, and Moncler. These designer brands have put out clothing that involves blackface. Hip Hop arti...
Feb 13, 2019•1 hr 31 min
On this episode I am joined by 12-time Emmy award nominee, 2-time Emmy award winner, Film Director and natural born hustler, Jerod Couch. We discuss his journey into entrepreneurship and all the events that led to him creating the #WASHED series. Season 1 has been a huge success and season 2 is in the works. Jerod’s story is one that will inspire and inform you on the value of being resourceful in the pursuit of making your goals and dreams come to fruition.
Jan 29, 2019•1 hr 32 min
On this episode I am joined by @cheycamille and @obabalu as we discuss what it's like for THEM trying to date black while living in an extremely white city. Cheyenne hails from Southside Jamaica Queens, NY and Oba grew up in NJ. As a Portland native I always like to hear the perspective of Portland from brothas and sistas that aren't from Portland. The backstory of how this episode came about stems from a Tariq Nasheed @Tariqelite YouTube video I watched on December 24th that included his commen...
Jan 21, 2019•2 hr 23 min
I didn't plan on doing this, but I been really worked up about this R. Kelly docuseries on lifetime and I can't hold back. The influence of R. Kelly is a product of our culture. I have to do better. You have to do better. WE NEED TO DO BETTER. That's not just a general statement tho, we really need to make changes for the next generation. All predatory activity needs to checked and stopped in its tracks...
Jan 10, 2019•40 min
On this episode I am joined by one of the most genuine people I have come across in my lifetime. There is zero exaggeration or hyperbole in that statement either, I truly mean it. Torrey Dooley shares his incredible journey of becoming one of very few black male nurses in the United States. What's even more remarkable is that in his late 20's he made the decision to forsake the path of continuing in the only trade he's ever known, which was being a mechanic. As a husband and a father he made a v...
Jan 08, 2019•1 hr 36 min
My wife recored an episode with me! We recorded this in October 2018 while celebrating our 7th anniversary. The celebration consisted of attending the last stop of the OTRII tour (Beyonce and Jay-Z) in Seattle, WA. In this episode we briefly discuss the trials and tribulations of our 7 year marriage journey. It took a while to arrive at this point, but when we look back it seems like it just blew by... kinda. Guest: Renita Williams IG - Rudy_Williams85 Theme Song: Faux Pas Artist - @soulstreamz ...
Jan 02, 2019•28 min
This episode is the second half of the conversation you heard in episode 34 between @notnotshingi and @Emmanuelsince85. 4:30 - The unique family dynamic in African culture that we can incorporate as African Americans. 11:20 - Africa’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. 14.40 - The existence African civilization pre-slave trade. 21:05 - The generational osmosis of this diaspora disconnect in America 28:50 - All skinfolk aint kinfolk. 33 min - Repairing the African American (Black American)fam...
Dec 26, 2018•51 min
Diaspora disconnect is a term that refers to the cultural divide between Black Americans/Descendants of the transatlantic slave trade and African immigrants/first generation Africans living in America. This disconnect is often voiced and definitely understood by the groups, but not always discussed among the groups. This episode was recorded in the fall of 2017, a few months before Marvel's "Black Panther" came out in theaters. The relationship of Killmonger and T'Challa ignited even more conver...
Dec 19, 2018•54 min
This week @ayocovi sits down with me to share his journey of making his debut album entitled "Escalate with Me." Covi is a recent college grad and has hit the ground running as it pertains to following his dreams and not allowing anything to stop his grind. It's amazing how the smallest of details of people's lives can intertwine and help goals and dreams come to fruition. There's a lot of that going on in his story. There are also snippets of the album woven into the interview as well to give y...
Dec 09, 2018•1 hr 39 min
