GBH News Rooted

Nov. 3 Basic Black: Free Community College and Black Americans' Trust in the News This week, a recent survey conducted by the PEW Research Center, found that Black Americans said there are a range of issues on how the media reports stories about Black people, and more care is needed. We’ll have a panelist joining us remotely at the top of the episode to discuss some of the findings from the report. Then, a discussion about Free Community College. About 33 states offer free tuition. Now in Massachusetts, residents, 25 and older without a degree can apply to attend community college for free, through Mass Re-Connect, a program Gov. Healey launched. The panelists discuss how the program can help change the economic outlook for many students of color of the newly popular program. Panelists: Ronald Mitchell co-owner, editor and publisher, The Bay State Banner (remote) Jackie Jenkins Scott, Interim President, Roxbury Community College Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D., Massachusetts Secretary of Education Pam Eddinger, Ph.D., President, Bunker Hill Community College. She is also a member of the GBH board. Nehemie Desulme, Roxbury Community College student currently in the Mass Re-Connect program. Tanisha Sullivan hosts.

October 20 Memorable Moments This episode will bring together past guests to discuss memorable and pivotal episodes that had an impact on Black, Indigenous and people of color, here in Boston and around the world. It is also long-time moderator, Callie Crossley’s last show permanently hosting the program. People will still be able to see and hear Callie on her radio program, Under the Radar, GBH News and the new radio program, The Culture Show. Panelists: Renée Graham, Associate Editor and Opinion Columnist, The Boston Globe’s op-ed page. Kim McLarin, Professor and Interim Dean, Graduate and Professional Studies at Emerson College. Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter, GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting. Callie Crossley hosts.

Basic Black at the NAACP National Convention The discussion was about affirmative action and student loan debt. This discussion took place on July 28th, 2023 at the NAACP National Convention in Boston. Panelists: Renee Graham, Associate Editor and Columnist at The Boston Globe. Traci Griffith, Director of the Racial Justice Program for the A-C-L-U of Massachusetts. Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University. Dr. Wooten is also a member of the GBH board. Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter for GBH News. Tanisha Sullivan, Esq, President of NAACP Boston Branch hosts.

Across the country, communities of color continue to face the pressures of debt and deal with its impact on their mental health and livelihood. For many, debt can feel insurmountable as the costs of living, housing, and food continue to rise, sometimes it doesn't seem clear how to get out of debt. This week on Basic Black at the Boston Public Library, our discussion is about the significant impact of credit card and other types of debt, plus hear some methods to help reduce debt. Panelists: William Watkins, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Partnerships, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts Sabrina Antoine Correia, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan & Chase Paris Alston, co-host of Morning Edition GBH 89.7 hosts

Basic Black at the BPL: Skin Cancer Aug 9, 2023 As the summer heats up, it's important to remind everyone about skin safety, especially for people of color. According to research, there has been an increase in melanoma rates for Black and Brown skin complexions, and for those with higher melanin, they are also developing skin cancer at later stages, sometimes with a lower chance of survival rate. This week on Basic Black at the Boston Public Library, a discussion about skin cancer and melanoma awareness for communities of color. Panelists: Dr. Ali Al-Haseni, board-certified dermatologist, The Dermatology Institute of Boston Akou Diabakhate, licensed aesthetician, founder of Bold Skin Babe Paris Alston hosts

Basic Black: March on Washington and New Bay state Banner Owners Our show on Friday we will recognize the upcoming 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and the new owners of the Bay State Banner. In many ways the Bay State Banner may have not happened if it wasn’t for the March on Washington. The March for Freedom, Civil Rights and jobs along with the passage of 1964 Civil Right Act, inspired editor and publisher Melvin Miller to start the Banner, covering local and national stories affecting Boston’s African American community. Now the torch has been passed to two new Black owners of the Bay State Banner, and we’ll learn what they have in store for the 58-year-old newspaper. Panelists: Ronald Mitchell, Co-Owner, Editor and Publisher, Bay State Banner. Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director, Mill Cities Community Investments, lead investor for the Bay State Banner André Stark, Co-Owner and C-O-O, Bay State Banner. Callie Crossley hosts.

The Economic Growth of Seaport Boston. We are on location at Grace by Nia, a new Black-owned supper club in Boston’s Seaport District. From what was a thousand acres of scrubby vacant land and parking lots, the seaport district has developed into a sparkling prime location for retail, housing, and entertainment. But businesses of color have struggled to gain a foothold in the area the Boston Globe’s spotlight team once described as, a “brand new Boston, even whiter than the old.” that was six years ago—what’s changed? And will the future bring more diversity? Nia Grace Owner, Grace by Nia AND board member, Meet Boston. Corean Reynolds, Director of Nightlife Economy, City of Boston. and Richard Taylor, Managing Director, Nubian Square Development, LLC AND Chairman, Taylor Smith Group; part of the joint venture development of the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport. Welcome to you all.

Basic Black: Rachael Rollins and Haitian Heritage Month At the top of the show, we will discuss the resignation of Mass. US Attorney Rachael Rollins. Then, a conversation about Haitian Heritage month – the significance of the celebration, what it means for the third largest Haitian population in the U.S. living here in Massachusetts, as well as issues that plague the country---from weather disasters, the President Moïse’s assassination in his home to the number of Haitian immigrants finding their way to Boston. Rahsaan Hall, Principal, Rahsaan Hall Consulting AND former Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU of Massachusetts. Rev. Dieufort J. Fleurissaint, President & Executive Director, True Alliance Center, Inc.; AND Chair, Haitian Americans United, Inc. Marie St. Fleur, Principal, St. Fleur Communications AND former State Representative, 5th Suffolk District, she was the first Haitian immigrant to hold public office in Massachusetts. Alix Cantave, PhD., Senior Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He is a former Associate Director, William Trotter Institute at UMass Boston Callie Crossley Hosts.

5/12 BLACK THEATRE Black Theatre is having more than a “moment.” On the stage, more actors and artists of color are presenting outstanding work and stories about African American life. AND more plays. It’s a much different story from the early days of the pandemic when theatre shut down. The protest movement following the murder of George Floyd convinced theatre owners to adopt equity initiatives and opportunities for diverse artists of color. As we enjoy the range of our stories being told on the stages here in Boston, where is Black theatre headed, who is coming to watch and how will building community relationships help sustain the artform? Dawn Meredith Simmons, Co-Founder and Co-Producing Artistic Director, The Front Porch Arts Collective Kristen Greenidge, Playwright and Associate Professor, Boston University AND Artist-in-Residence, Company One Theater. Lyndsay Allyn Cox, Producing Director, The Huntington Theatre Company. Olawumi Akinwumi Deputy Director-Programs, ArtsBoston AND Founder, AfroDesiaCity. Philip Martin, Sr. Investigative Reporter, GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting hosts.

Finding an affordable home is a challenge in Greater Boston and in many parts of the country. Residents are feeling the pinch of the high cost of housing. In Greater Boston, there are affordable housing lotteries available for people looking to apply. While the number of apartments and homes are limited, what are the highs and lows of applying to a housing lottery? Linda Warren Cato, a financial analyst and the home buyer educator with Financial Education Associates. Tayla Andre, realtor, Thumbprint Realty. Renee Taylor, Economic Opportunity Director, Somerville Community Corporation. She oversees their First Time Homebuyers and Financial Literacy Programs. Sabrina Antoine Correia, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Chase Bank. Paris Alston hosts.