Studio B:
Conversations, discussion, interviews and roundtables produced in the WGBH studios.
Basic Black
Basic Black ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: A Focus On Health Issues
In this episode of Basic Black the focus is on health. After the broadcast concluded our panelists continued to discuss the impact of pending health care legislation on communities of color.
Basic Black Live: Images of African American Women & The Economy
(Originally broadcast November 12, 2009) The first topic on the show is a discussion of the image of African American women using several recent examples from popular culture including the premiere of the movie Precious. Our second topic examines the staggering 15% unemployment rate in black communities.
moreBasic Black: 2009 Local Elections & Gay Rights vs. Civil Rights Movement
(Broadcast on November 5, 2009) Our first topic will be a discussion of the outcome of Massachusetts history making elections in the cities of Boston, Newton, and Lawrence.
moreBasic Black Online Exclusive: Gay Rights and the Civil Rights Movement (November 5, 2009)
After the television broadcast, our panelists continued to explore the intersection of the gay rights movement and the modern civil rights movement.
moreBasic Black: The Power of Boston's Black Vote
(Broadcast on October 29, 2009) Basic Black looks at the impact of the black vote on Boston’s upcoming elections for City Council At-Large, Mayor and U.S. Senate. Will black voters turn out to the polls? How are the candidates answering needs of communities of color? Which senate candidate is really carrying the torch of Ted Kennedy’s legacy in championing civil rights. And we look at the potential for history to be made in the City Council At-Large race as one of the candidates is poised to become the first African American woman to hold the seat.
moreBasic Black Live: Racist Dialogue or Reasoned Debate?
“There is an African American who is at the very apex of the government in the United States. And with such change, of course there’s going to be discontent… So frankly, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more pushback… more out and out racism in the streets of America!” declares Randall Kennedy. In its season premiere, Basic Black examines the issue of racist opposition to Barack Obama. (Originally broadcast October 22, 2009)
moreJon Jeter
"Globalization is an international shakedown, and its targets are ordinary people across the globe..." declares Jon Jeter in his new book, Flat Broke in the Free Market: How Globalization Fleeced Working People.
moreWalter Mosley: On Writing and Politics
In this interview author Walter Mosley talks about his latest mystery, The Long Fall; his decision to focus on black male heroes; and his hopes for the Obama presidency.
moreBasic Black LIVE
The July 16 episode explores the future of the Bay State Banner, the relevance of the NAACP, and media coverage of Michael Jackson's death and memorial. (Originally broadcast July 16, 2009)
moreBasic Black LIVE
Basic Black discusses the arrest of renowned Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home in Cambridge, Mass. (Originally broadcast July23, 2009)
moreBasic Black LIVE
Panelists discuss the state of diversity in Massachusetts and the week in news in a LIVE edition of Basic Black. (Originally broadcast on July 30, 2009)
moreTavis Smiley and Cornel West
Tavis Smiley and Cornel West join Kim McLarin for a provocative conversation on race, black leadership, and accountability.
moreCapturing Black Life: A Conversation with Photo Historian Deborah Willis
Photographer and photo historian Deborah Willis discusses her life and work.
moreSearching For Sally Hemings: A Conversation with Author Annette Gordon-Reed
Professor and author Annette Gordon-Reed discusses her new book, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family, with host Kim McLarin.
moreJazz and Rock Drummer Cindy Blackman
Basic Black host Kim McLarin speaks with jazz and rock drummer Cindy Blackman.
morePoetry & Conversation with Afaa Michael Weaver
Poet Afaa Michael Weaver talks about the life stories that inspire his work.
more2008 Postelection Roundtable
Joining guest host Callie Crossley to discuss Barack Obama's election to the presidency are Massachusetts State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry, former ABC News anchor and senior correspondent Carole Simpson, Peniel Joseph, associate professor of Africana studies at Brandeis University, and Howard Manly, executive editor of the Bay State Banner.
moreBasic Black: 2008: The New Black Politics
Basic Black premieres its 41st season with this live election special, featuring a roundtable discussion hosted by television and radio commentator Callie Crossley.
moreElection 2008: After the Last Primary
moreAuthor Randall Kennedy
Author Randall Kennedy ("Sellout") is the guest.
moreChoreographer Bill T. Jones
Choreographer Bill T. Jones is the guest.
morePoet Major Jackson
Major Jackson reads from his book of poetry Hoops and discusses the inspiration behind his work as well as his thoughts on how American history has influenced the work of generations of African American poets.
morePoet Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander reads from American Sublime, and her latest collection, Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color. Alexander was selected to compose and read a poem at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony; she is the fourth poet in history to have been chosen for the honor.
moreTracy Sharpley-Whiting
Author Tracy Sharpley-Whiting discusses her book, Pimps Up, Ho's Down which explores the intersection of feminism, race, and hip-hop and the ramifications of marketing images that denigrate women.pimps
moreAuthor Cora Daniels
Cora Daniels discusses how the concept of ghetto has permeated popular culture and how this mind-set affects communities of color.
moreAuthor John McWhorter
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First Person: Sarah-Ann Shaw
Boston’s first African American television reporter, Sarah-Ann Shaw, talks about her early political influences, her activism during the civil rights era in Boston, and how she became a broadcasting pioneer. Always outspoken, Shaw is also very candid about the changes she has seen in the commitment of present-day black activists, churches, and reporters.
(First Person is an oral history interview series with New England's iconic leaders of color.)
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