Bruce’s Beach, A California Dream

You wouldn’t know it today, but Manhattan Beach in California was once a destination, a playground for Black families in southern California – and there were others. Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson, researcher and native Californian tells the remarkable story of the legacy of these places in the book, Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era.

Archive Episode: The Changing of America

Much of America’s history has been dominated by one particular subculture – White, Christian, specifically Protestant Americans. Slowly over the generations and even in the past 10 years, that has begun to change. Dr. Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute and author of The End of White Christian America explains the history, and how the current political and cultural climate has brought it to an end.

Archive Episode: Kyra E. Hicks Has A Story To Tell

Warmth, and art. Quilting is a pastime that has been passed down from generations. It has grown across the country, including southern plantations of yesterday to urban cities of today. Certain names stand out from the Gee’s Bend quilters of Alabama to Harriet Powers. Kyra E. Hicks, author, researcher and quilter talks about the rich and cozy heritage of quilting.

Archive Episode: Jamie Kalven Wants Police Transparency

In 2014 and 2015, protests and unrest took place in several cities including Baltimore, Maryland and Ferguson, Missouri. In 2015 another officer involved shooting, resulting the death of Laquan McDonald was scrutinized. One person who helped bring the story to the forefront was Jamie Kalven. Kalven is the founder of The Invisible Institute, a media production company with the aim of creating better transparency in between the community and the police and criminal justice system.