In this episode, Eric sits down with Dr. Makeda Best — deputy director of Curatorial Affairs at the Oakland Museum of California…! She shares how; at a young age became interested in photography… Early exposures and experiences that drew her to studying studio photography at CalArts, to eventually leading her to become a photography historian. How she began to trace the history of African Americans in California — where they settled after the Civil War…

She shares how African Americans first became interested in and exposed to photography… and the ways in which they participated in making photographs early on; as makers, sitters and consumers. From Frederick Douglass as one of the most imaged figures in the 19th Century, Sojourner Truth… to everyday people — and using the power of photography to combat stereotypes against black people. The role it played in the abolitionist movement; picturing community, preserving and sharing.

Notable African American photographers such as James Presley Ball and Augustus Washington… They discuss James van der Zee and how he photographed the Harlem Renaissance — using large group portraits; to document Families, weddings… capturing how vibrant the period was.

The art, skill and science behind photography and the technological developments through the years… From photography studios, to itinerant photographers with traveling dark rooms. The works of Ansel Adams. Daguerreotype - metal based images and how by the 1860s — the arrival of card-based format, cartes-de-visite processes and mass production portraiture that created an influx in making images and portraits — and how African Americans were involved in that.

The exhibition she curated for the Boston Athenaeum that centers around the photography albums gifted to Harriet Hayden from lawyer Robert Morris — that explores the world of the Boston-based abolitionist couple Lewis and Harriet Hayden. How photography and gifting culture played a role in the abolitionist movement, their home on Beacon Hill, housing African Americans and the extraordinary efforts of Harriet Hayden and the contributions she made to society. How the exhibition came about, the process of producing the show and what it aims to accomplish..!

Guest Bio: Makeda Best, Ph.D., is currently the Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Best comes to OMCA after serving at Harvard University Art Museums as Richard L. Menschel Curator of Photography since 2017, and previously as Assistant Professor of Visual Studies at California College of the Arts. Her exhibitions at the Harvard Art Museums include Devour the Land: War and American Landscape Photography Since 1970, Crossing Lines, Constricting Home: Displacement and Belonging in Contemporary Art; Winslow Homer: Eyewitness; Time is Now: Photography and Social Change in James Baldwin’s America, and Please Stay Home: Darrel Ellis in Conversation with Wardell Milan and Leslie Hewitt.

Beyond photography, Best conceived of the Museums’ curatorial ReFrame initiative, which aims to critically examine the museum and its collections. With Kevin Moore, she co-curated the 2022 FotoFocus Biennial exhibition, On the Line – Documents of Risk and Faith. Her current exhibition project with the Boston Athenaeum explores the world of the Boston-based abolitionist couple Lewis and Harriet Hayden. Best has contributed to multiple exhibition catalogues, journals, and scholarly publications. She co-edited Conflict, Identity, and Protest in American Art (2015). She is the author of Elevate the Masses: Alexander Gardner, Photography and Democracy in 19th Century America. Her exhibition catalogue, Devour the Land: War and American Landscape Photography since 1970 (2022), was awarded the Photography Catalogue of the Year Award at the 2022 Paris Photo-Aperture PhotoBook Awards.

In this episode, Eric sits down with scholar, author & curator Dr. Ethelene Whitmire. They discuss her educational journey, her passion for libraries and working in the library field as a professor of Library Science and getting the resources to the public. How she became attracted to the art field. Having the opportunity of going to England to study abroad… visiting museums that helped her develop an eye for art. Developing an interest in visiting museums and tracing black art and culture within the art world and art institutions.

How writing a biography about Regina Andrews; a Harlem Renaissance librarian opened her horizons to learning about theatre and the artwork of the time, that then led her to explore African Americans in Denmark — including African American jazz musicians who lived and are buried there. How her love of Danish films and her fascination of African Americans in Denmark led to her to research, publishing some of writing and lecturing on the subject… and how her research has come now to life in an exhibition that she co-curated entitled “Nordic Utopia? : African Americans in the 20th Century” which opened at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle, WA that explores the wave of artists who migrated to Denmark to escape segregation and feel freedom as artists… and the realities of their experience of living abroad. How this wonderful work came about, what it hopes to achieve and how it plans to travel across the nation..!

Guest Bio: Born and raised in Passaic, New Jersey and attended Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey for a bachelor’s degree in English and Communication and master’s degree in Library Service. She received a PhD from the University of Michigan – School of Education’s Center for the Study of Higher and Post-secondary Education.

Dr. Ethelene Whitmire is currently the Chair and a professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Author of the award-winning book “Regina Anderson Andrews, Harlem Renaissance Librarian” (University of Illinois Press, 2014) offers the first full-length study of Andrews' activism and pioneering work with the NYPL.

Dr. Whitmire received the 2004 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship and was a visiting scholar at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education & Information Studies during the 2004 – 2005 academic year. She also received the Anna Julia Cooper Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from the University of Wisconsin – Madison prior to my appointment as assistant professor in their School of Library & Information Studies.

Her doctoral studies were funded by the University of Michigan’s Rackham Merit Fellowship. Recipient of the 2002 American Library Association’s (ALA) Carroll Preston Baber Research Award. Her professional library experience includes an appointment as a Librarian-in-Residence at Yale University (1997 – 1999). Recently was awarded a Public Works grant from the from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for the Humanities funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Her current book projects are: The Remarkable Life of Reed Peggram (Viking) and Searching for Utopia: African Americans in 20th Century Denmark about African Americans who lived, worked, studied and performed in Denmark in the 20th Century.

Her writing has appeared in Smithsonian Magazine, Narratively, and Longreads.

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In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Sam Pace..! They discuss his early life; having been born in Texas but raised in California and his adventures as a young man. How he first discovered his artistic talent… his educational journey, cultivating his artistic abilities and the mentors he’s had along the way from William Pajaud, to Charles Dickson! His passion for and dedication to practicing and mastering Karate.. how he reconciled between his two passions and how the martial arts has shaped him as a visual artist by instilling the principles of discipline into his artistic practices. His exciting travels; from competing in a Karate tournament in Hawaii, to living in France and painting for a year… His process as an artist, the mediums he works in and other artists and musicians that have inspired and influenced him. His passion for music and how it translates into his work… and what it means as an artist to give your message to the world.

Guest Bio: Born to a mother and father from the Deep South, who followed the Great Black Migration west seeking better opportunities, Sam’s talents were given the chance to flourish. Encouraged by his parents to express his creative abilities, he continued developing his skills throughout high school where he earned a Fine Arts scholarship.

During high school and college, Sam expanded his energies to mastering the martial arts. He became a world ranked tournament champion who continues to share his talent through his leadership in the Black Karate Federation.
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In 1989 Sam moved to Europe where he began developing his current style, using Jazz and Blues as the subject matter. His unique interpretation co-mingles the moods and sounds of contemporary and 1920's Black Renaissance Jazz and Blues artists into a visual narrative. His works vary in several different mediums from acrylic on canvas, wood, and collage, to discarded recyclable objects.

Among his credits, Sam has produced works for such notables and organizations as the president of an investment company, vice president of Blue Note Records, Los Angeles Urban League, and entertainers Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, Cassandra Wilson, and Eddie Palmarie.
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Commissioned works include famed drummer Elvin Jones for the Playboy Jazz Festival, Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, and Watts Towers Jazz Festival.

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In this episode, Eric sits down with award winning actress, director and art patron Phylicia Rashad. They discuss her experience of growing up in Houston, Texas during legal segregation, travels with her Family as a young girl. Her early exposure to art through her mother’s many interests and love for art. Her experience of studying Theater at Howard University during a time of social upheaval. Moving to New York City, acting in plays and performing on Broadway, breaking into the entertainment industry... to eventually acting in Television shows including The Cosby Show, where she played the beloved role of Clair Huxtable and Films including CREED I, II, & III and The Beekeeper. They explore how she first discovered her love for acting and cultivated her craft, the support she had from her parents to pursue a career in the arts, evolving as a performer and working in different mediums... including her passion for directing plays!

...To now serving as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University — where she’s enjoying her role and commitment to 'presenting windows of access and opportunity'. They explore the role that James Porter played during his time at Howard. His devotion to the Art department and art history. Howard University’s extensive collection of African American art and how the students live amongst the art. They explore her own personal collection of visual art. Stifling of human creativity as being deliberate and the role of and necessity of creativity and freedom to explore creativity for human development. Publishing her Mother’s book of poetry and reviving her mother’s work at Brainerd Institute Heritage of educational and cultural practices; promoting literacy through the arts for pre-school children...!

Guest Bio: An accomplished actor and stage director, Phylicia Rashad became a household name when she portrayed Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, a character whose enduring appeal has earned her numerous honors and awards. She has appeared in NBC’s This Is Us, in the popular Fox TV series Empire, and in Tarrell Alvin McCraney's Peabody Award-winning series David Makes Man, on the OWN Network.

A force on the stage; appearing both on and Off Broadway, often in projects that showcase her musical talent such as Jelly's Last Jam, Into the Woods, Dreamgirls and The Wiz. In 2016, Rashad was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and received both the Drama Desk and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her riveting performance as Lena Younger in the 2004 Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in The Sun. Among Ms. Rashad’s film credits are Creed and Creed II, Just Wright, Tyler Perry's Good Deeds, A Fall From Grace.

Ms. Rashad made her critically acclaimed directorial debut at the Seattle Repertory Theater with August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. She has also directed Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Our Lady of 121st Street, The Roommate, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (2014 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Director).

Respected in the academic world as well, Ms. Rashad was appointed Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University in May of 2021. Ms. Rashad also holds the distinction of being the first recipient of the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre at Fordham University.

She has received countless esteemed awards including the BET Honors Theatrical Arts Award, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Spirit of Shakespeare Award. And serves on several important boards including Brainerd Institute Heritage and DADA, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.

Phylicia Rashad graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University and is the mother of two adult children.



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In this episode, Eric sits down with philanthropist, entrepreneur and patron of the arts… Bernard Kinsey. They discuss his early life; having been raised in a middle class family in West Palm Beach, Florida. The loving environment that fostered him and instilled in him strong values. His experience of growing-up in a segregated state, attending Florida A&M University and meeting his beloved wife Shirley. His illustrious career in the corporate world, followed by his entrepreneurial ventures… to eventually retiring and devoting his energies to his philanthropic efforts and the Kinsey Collection.

They explore how he developed an interest in uncovering the story of African Americans, his passion for spotlighting the African American culture and the role that they have played in making American what it is today. His dedication to honoring the African American heroes along with their stories and his mission to change the narrative, reshape how we think about and remove the “cataracts” that blind us from seeing and understanding American history in its entirety… in hopes that this will inspire a respectful, level-eyed conversation.

They delve into the many facets of his collection; that ranges from two and three dimensional art, to photography, rare books, records, artifacts and more that document the African American experience from the 16th century until the present. Sourcing the material that tells how this story came about. How his son Khalil has taken an active role in stewarding the collection and what’s in store for the Kinsey collection in the future..!

Guest Bio: Bernard Kinsey is a Los Angeles philanthropist and entrepreneur with a passion for African American history and art of the 19th and 20th centuries. He and his wife, Shirley, have been called "one of the most admired and respected couples in Los Angeles." They are known for espousing two life principles, “To whom much is given much is required" and live “A life of no regrets”. The couple have one son, Khalil, who is the general manager and curator of The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection and foundation.

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida and attended Florida A&M University. There, he met his wife Shirley. After graduating from Florida A&M University he was hired as the first African American sales representative for Humble Oil Company. Kinsey was immediately successful and quickly became Humble Oil's number one sales representative. In 1971, Kinsey joined Xerox Corporation. During that same year, Kinsey and a group of African American Xerox employees protested the promotion of a less qualified white employee over an African American with supervisory experience and a college degree. Xerox promoted the African American employee. This action resulted in the creation of the Xerox Black Employees Organization, which Kinsey co-founded. Kinsey became a vice president of Xerox within ten years.

Kinsey also worked to create a program for bringing African Americans and other minorities into the company and training them for jobs with opportunities for advancement. In 1992, he became the chief operating officer and co-chairman of Rebuild Los Angeles. RLA's mission was to bring jobs, economic opportunities and pride to the area that had been devastated by the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Kinsey succeeded in generating more than $380 million dollars in investments for inner city Los Angeles.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection travels the globe as an award-winning museum exhibition – lead by the stewardship of Bernard, Shirley, and Khalil Kinsey. The exhibition celebrates the achievements and contributions of black Americans from before the formation of the United States to present times.

In this episode, Eric sits down with actress, filmmaker & artist Angela Robinson Witherspoon. They discuss her early exposure to art and her experience of living in the Netherlands as young girl. How she followed her heart to live a life in the arts. Studying art, taking jobs where she used her artistic abilities, being a model in New York City, to studying acting. How she broke into the entertainment industry and has since cultivated such a long-lasting career as an actress in Hollywood! She reflects on her beautiful marriage to the late celebrated comedian John Witherspoon and the life they built together… including their two talented sons, their art collection, owning an art gallery and being patrons of the arts. How she continues to make art herself and has evolved into a filmmaker. They discuss her full-length documentary about artist Betye Saar and her passion to make more films that shed light on African American artists. Her exciting travels, philanthropic initiatives and mission of continuing to honor John Witherspoon’s legacy through their foundation..!

Guest Bio: Angela Robinson Witherspoon started her acting journey when she was cast in her first speaking role opposite Eddie Murphy in "48 Hours," by producer Joel Silver. Walter Hill was the director and he subsequently cast Angela in another movie, "Crossroads", opposite Ralph Macchio. In 1983, she traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico where she spent five weeks filming "Jungle Warriors" for German director, Ernst R. Von Theumer. She did all her own stunts and had the pleasure of working with Dennis Hopper and firing an AK-47.

In 1985, she traveled to the Cannes Film Festival and had dinner with director Howard Avedis, who later cast her in "Kidnapped," a Warner Bros. film starring David Naughton, where she would meet her future husband, John Witherspoon. Angela continued to work in film and television in "Ugly Betty", "Joan of Arcadia", "Soul Plane", "The Wayans Bros.", "L.A. Law", "Criminal Minds," "My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," "Black Jesus," and a starring role in "The Moment After."

She later married legendary comedic actor John Witherspoon on June 27, 1988 and they had two children together. Her husband passed away on October 29, 2019, aged 77.

In 2013, she directed her first short film, "Last Call". Soon after, she produced and directed a short documentary on artist Betye Saar. She then wrote and directed the short silent film "Sunset & Neverland." She also produced and directed "Wish Me Luck." Angela's first documentary was well received in 2017. In 2021, she looks forward to releasing a full-length documentary about artist Betye Saar, which she is producing and directing. She is currently working with young talent such as Juhahn Jones, Maia Modeste and director Abdul Malik Abbott.

Angela is a dynamic force and devoted patron of the arts and avid supporter of artists through The Angela and John Witherspoon Family Foundation; who’s mission is to help artists in their time of need.

About Eric's Perspective: A podcast series on African American art with Eric Hanks — African American art specialist, owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery and commissioner on the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts where they discuss the past, present & future of African American art.



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In this episode, Eric sits down with talented and celebrated artist, illustrator and author… Kadir Nelson! They discuss how he first discovered his artistic inclination and how it had been fostered from an early age; having been mentored by artist and art teacher Michael Morris; his uncle. His educational journey in art — having received a scholarship to study art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and upon graduating with highest honors, how he was summoned by DreamWorks Pictures to create conceptual artwork for Steven Spielberg’s Oscar® nominated feature, “Amistad” and the animated feature “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”. They explore his artistic style and how it evolved through the years. From creating paintings and portraits, to illustration and sculpture! His distinct style of urban realism and how it’s reminiscent of turn of the century American painters and historical subjects, often telling a story with his art and emphasizing the heroic. They discuss Nelson’s process — what moves him and where he draws inspiration from. How he’s displayed his works at notable exhibitions and in the permanent collections of several esteemed institutions… including the United States House of Representatives, The National Baseball Hall of Fame, the World Trade Center, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and most recently, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. They delve into exciting stories about how Nelson was commissioned by a host of distinguished clients including music legend John McClain; creating works in honor of Marvin Gaye... painting the cover artwork for Michael Jackson’s posthumously released album, “Michael” and recording artist Drake’s multi-platinum selling album, “Nothing Was the Same”. His experience of creating cover artwork for the New Yorker magazine; that pay tribute to historical and contemporary American figures in New York City and abroad. How Nelson has authored and illustrated several award-winning New York Times Best Selling picture books including, “WE ARE THE SHIP: The Story of Negro League Baseball” and the great honor he had of becoming the recipient of the prestigious Caldecott Medal for illustration..!

Guest Bio: Kadir Nelson (b. 1974) is an award-winning American author and artist based in Los Angeles, California. He is the recipient of multiple awards from the Society of Illustrators in New York, including the prestigious Hamilton King Award as well the 2020 recipient of the Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Award for illustration. He adds this to multiple Caldecott Honors, Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, New York Times Best Illustrated Book Awards, several NAACP Image Awards and an Olympic Art Bronze medal, among others. Mr. Nelson has also created artwork for a host of distinguished clients, including but not limited to National Geographic, HBO, Nike, Disney, Hennessy, and Sony Music, for whom he painted the cover artwork for Michael Jackson’s posthumously released album, “Michael,” which was listed in the Guinness Book of Records® for the largest poster in the world. Nelson’s artwork was also featured on the cover of recording artist Drake’s multi-platinum selling album, “Nothing Was the Same”; over a dozen commemorative US postage stamps honoring American legends, such as Major League All-Stars Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, NBA great Wilt Chamberlain, and most recently Motown’s Prince of Soul Marvin Gaye, which altogether have sold several million stamps. Nelson’s primarily figurative paintings and sculptures focus on historical narratives and heroic subjects in American culture and are often informed by the Old Masters like Ingres, Michelangelo, Hopper, and Tanner. His sumptuous settings and characters, rich palette, and realistic, yet painterly technique speaks to both modern urban realism and masterly works of turn-of-the century American painters.

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and accomplished singer, songwriter, filmmaker, author, lecturer and photographer... Byron Motley. They discuss his early years; being raised in Kansas Missouri, his early exposure to music and singing and the love that he developed for performance -- to eventually having a musical career, working on Broadway and performing and recording with such luminaries as Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, John Legend and Barry Manilow. They explore the fascinating and rich history of the Negro Baseball League… and how it’s draped in a fabric that mirrors America’s culture. The celebrated legacy of his late father; Negro League chief umpire Bob Motley. How Byron co-authored his father’s memoir — which he made into a documentary entitled THE LEAGUE, the fascinating interviews he conducted with prominent figures including Maya Angelou and how the film is a tribute that honors Byron's late father and is an effort to keep the memory and history of the Negro Baseball League alive — and share it with future generations..!

Guest Bio: Byron Motley is a modern day Renaissance Man with diverse interests and talent… An accomplished singer/songwriter/filmmaker/lecturer/author and photographer. As a performer Byron has worked on Broadway and performed and recorded with such luminaries as Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, and the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Byron’s most recent CD “Jazz & Cocktails” (Cocoa Blu Records) has garnered impressive reviews and received attention both stateside and internationally. His one-man musical show "Hitmakers, Heroes & Homeruns” has dazzled audiences nationwide honoring the Negro Baseball Leagues & Jazz.

An avid baseball fan, Byron co-authored his father’s memoir THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES: Tales of Umpiring Legendary Players, Breaking Barriers, and Making American History. (Simon & Schuster/Skyhorse/Sports Publishing, LLC).

Byron's documentary, "THE LEAGUE", about the history and legacy of the Negro Baseball League, was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 in NYC. The project is now streaming on various platforms including, Apple, Amazon, Vudu, Spectrum Dish and other outlets!

An award-winning photographer, Byron’s work has shown in galleries, boutiques and museums in the United States, Europe and Cuba. His exhibit “Viva Cuba Beisbol: A Photographic Journey into the heart and soul of Cuban Baseball” recently enjoyed a six-month gallery exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Byron’s award-winning photographic book, EMBRACING CUBA (University Press of Florida), contains nearly 200 color images (with essays) exploring the richness of the island. His photography has been featured in Vanity Fair, The Advocate, New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times, 3Sixty magazines and Bruno Gmünder books and have shown in galleries, boutiques and museums in the United States, Europe, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Some of his notable subjects include: Hank Aaron - Baseball Hall of Famer and Dr. Maya Angelou - The People's Poet.

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