To celebrate the 100th episode of this podcast, a podcast inspired by the concept of roots, I offer you a tribute to Highland Park. In San Diego, when I was young, this park was Mecca—the place where kids met every day after school and for entire summers. The friendships I forged there lasted; most, I still call friends today. For this episode I called on peers and on the OG’s we looked up to, who showed us the way. Together we share stories about what we learned there. The late 80s brought drugs and gang culture, and with that, the whole neighborhood was changed. But I remember the paradise it was, and others do, too. Here, we offer that to you. Volume 2 is scheduled for summer 2025. Enjoy.

Azikiwee Anderson founded his San Francisco bakery, Rize Up, as a way to heal. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Anderson began channeling his feelings one loaf at a time in his home kitchen; from there he became a household name in the city’s sourdough movement. In this episode, we discuss his humble beginnings, his mother’s profound influence, his logo, and the power of imagery. “Z,” as his staff calls him, freely shares his determination to make a difference. If he can inspire black bakers to think outside the box, Rize Up and the wild yeasts populating his starter will have changed the world!

https://rizeupsourdough.com

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Corcoran Holt before his performance with the Kenny Garrett group, at the world-famous Blue Note. The jazz bassist, composer, and educator discussed the early influences of African drum and dance and learning about African culture from his parents. We also talked about djembe player Mamady Keïta’s influence on the drumming scene in DC; meeting and connecting with Kenny Garrett; and his musical relationship with jazz drummer Kweku Sumbry. Lastly, we considered the significance of his song "Raven's Wing," from his album THE MECCA.

https://www.corcoranholt.com

In 1984, Bishop Cornelius Bowser experienced a major transition: he decided to leave gang- and street-life behind and turn his life over to Christ. In this episode, we talk about the years that preceded and the years that followed that momentous decision. We cover his growing up in The Coast—a neighborhood in San Diego that was the home of the West Coast Crips, the gang he was heavily involved with in the 70s and early 80s—and the process of opening his own church. Drawing on his roots and his sense of mission, he worked with local gang members and became involved in several intervention programs, becoming a certified drug prevention specialist along the way. Finally, we discuss his current work, including No Shots Fired and Seasons of Peace, both focused on gun violence prevention.

https://www.corneliusbowser-gangs.com

In this episode, I talk with DJ Nu-Mark, world-renowned producer, turntablist, and member of the legendary hip-hop group Jurassic 5. He has a brand-new cookbook/memoir out, called Amu Nu. In describing the book, he offers some stories about his beloved mother and extended family, and we talk about how it all came together. He also touches on his time in Jurassic 5, and we bond over our love for comedy and our favorite comedians.

https://djnu-mark.com

Prior to her performance at Dizzy's Club, I had the pleasure of talking with Lebanese-Canadian drummer, composer, producer, and educator Sanah Kadoura. This week's episode encompasses that conversation. We discuss the Arabic and popular American music that was prevalent during her growing up in Calgary, Canada. Sanah talks about her role as an artist and musician, and how she came to understand that her work involves more than just playing music. Her jazz journey was informed by masters of the craft. She discusses her work as a contribution in the midst of current world events. Lastly, she describes her latest album, "Duality."

https://sanahmusic.com

In this episode, I sat down with Brooklyn’s own Tayo and Cynthia Giwa, the husband and wife filmmaking team and creators of Black-Owned Brooklyn. Their current documentary, “The Sun Rises in The East,” is streaming now on Amazon Prime. We talked in detail about the filmmaking process and the vital role that current elders play in preserving black history and culture. They discussed the standards in place during their upbringings, in their households, and why a film such as theirs is so necessary now: it shows what potential can look like when a group of like-minded people come together to display black excellence.

The subject of the film, The East, was cofounded by educator and activist Jitu Weusi. It embodied black self-determination, building dozens of institutions, including its own African-centered school, food co-op, newsmagazine, publishing company, record label, restaurant, clothing shop, and bookstore.

https://www.sunrisesintheeast.com

In this episode, we celebrate the legendary Los Angeles community leader, mentor, jazz pianist, and composer Horace Tapscott. Among my guests are former members of the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, founded by Tapscott in 1961, and others who appreciate his contributions to the culture. Tune in to hear poets Kamau Daáood and Anthony Joseph; saxophonists Abraham Burton, Michael Session, and Steve Lehman; former Eso Won Books co-owner James Fugate; pianist Eric Reed; bassist Roberto Miranda; and author Steven Isoardi. Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship delivers the intro.