GBH News Rooted

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.

More artists of color are showcasing their talents and inspiration from the African diaspora via concert music. Castle of Our Skins is a Boston-based collective of musicians of color, performing concert/chamber music. On Basic Black, the quartet played two pieces from their album, Homage. The pieces are written by the late Frederic C. Tillis, a composer, jazz saxophonist, poet, and Professor and UMass Amherst. The audience will witness a reimagined form of concert music that will broaden their perspective of the music category. Panelists: Ashleigh Gordon, Artistic and Executive Dir., Castle of Our Skins. She is also a member of the quartet. Members of the quartet Gabriela Díaz, Violinist, Castle of Our Skins Matthew Vera, Violinist, Castle of Our Skins Francesca McNeeley Cellist, Castle of Our Skins Paris Alston hosts.

CHILDREN OF COLOR AND AUTISM April is Autism Awareness Month. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saw an increase in the number of children of color diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or ASD. Experts suggest the rise of children of color with autism stem from increased awareness, more screenings, and less stigma around ASD. Historically children of color have been diagnosed in later years than white children which delays their development. Our panelist discusses the issues around ASD, the impact on children and the family. Panelists: Dr. Karen Spencer MD, MS, MPH, Assistant, Department of Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital**,** Instructor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School Cynthia Laine, Founder, Black Autism Coalition Jay Wilson, Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology, Boston University Joy James, Developmental Specialist, The Dimock Center Crystal Haines hosts.

Public Speaking, Discourse and Debate Public speaking is one the last things people want to do—mostly because of stage fright. However, we have seen in the last few weeks people, communities and politicians standing up and speaking out on issues and injustices. There’s power in expressing yourself. It offers opportunities and opens doors. It also invites change. Our panel weighs in on the merits of debate and the best ways to express yourself. Plus, students from the Boston Debate League show us how they debate arguments in a fast and timely manner. Have a pen, paper or your laptop available. You may want to take notes! Dr. Deion Hawkins, Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy AND Director of Debate, Emerson College Kim Willingham, Executive Director, Boston Debate League Lynn Yeboah, Student and Policy Debater, Harvard Debate Council Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston City Councilor At-Large Phillip Martin hosts.

4/7 Basic Black: D-E-I: This week we’ll discuss D-E-I, and how it has changed three years after George Floyd’s murder. Companies pledged their support to hire DEI officers—and they did, however, there has been a drop off in the positions. DEI specialists have either left or lost their jobs. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is doing away with diversity and equity advances in education. Here in Greater Boston, several towns have seen DEI officers come and go, due to lack of commitment and resources. So where does DEI stand and how can companies, and organizations implement it moving forward? Panelists: Dr. Anouska Bhattacharyya, Vice President of Programs, YW Boston Felicia Jadczak, Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Head of DEI Programming at SHE Geeks Out Kim Dukes, Managing Director, Koya Partners Diversified Search Group Dr. Nefertiti Walker, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, UMass Amherst Philip Martin hosts.

We reflect on the life and legacy of civil rights leader, state representative, and mayoral candidate who passed away at 94. Philip Martin hosts. Panelists: Marita Rivero, Principal, Rivero Partners. She is also the former president of the Museum of African American History AND the former VP and GM for Radio and Television at GBH. James Dilday, Principal Attorney, Dilday Law. Rahsaan Hall, Principal, Rahsaan Hall Consulting AND former Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU of Massachusetts. Darrin Howell, Political Director, 1199 S-E-I-U United Healthcare Workers East in Mass.

Black Women Business Owners This week, for Women’s History Month, a discussion with three Black women business owners on running a business before and during Covid – plus, launching a business during Covid. The entrepreneurs will discuss the importance of community and helping other entrepreneurs grow. Part of the discussion will address funding and financing of their businesses in light of Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse. SVB backed several startups by women and women of color. Panelists: Joëlle Fontaine CEO, Founder and Designer, Kréyol Maria Vasco, founder and CEO of Uvida, Boston’s first zero-waste store Shironda White, CEO and Co-Founder, Cupcake Therapy Callie Crossley hosts.

Boston’s new Reparations Task Force. The 10 members task force was announced in February to examine the history of slavery in Boston, its impact on descendants today, and provide suggestions to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on repairing the harm to Black residents of Boston. Other states around the country, including California, and Rhode Island are also exploring reparations and ways to address the the issue. Financial compensation is a top issue around reparations. Will local and state measures work or will the federal government step in with a national policy? Panelists: Carrie Mays youth activist, student at U-Mass Boston AND Member of Boston’s Task Force on Reparations Traci Griffith, Director, Racial Justice Program, ACLU Massachusetts George “Chip” Greenidge, Member, Task Force on Reparations AND Founder and Director, Greatest MINDS Callie Crossley hosts.

Basic Black: Food, Culture and Black History A conversation about celebrating food, culture and Black history with two local chef/restaurant owners – one who makes traditional African American soul food, and the other who brings elements from their African, Asian and immigrant heritage. We’ll also talk about how their establishments are surviving due to inflation and their work in the community. PANELISTS Kwasi Kwaa, Chef Partner, Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester Anthony “Tony” Brooks, Chef and Owner, Coast Café in Cambridge; a family-owned business that was started by his father Dr. Paula Austin, Assistant Professor, African American and Black Diaspora Studies, Boston University