Practically Speaking
We want Practically Speaking to positively impact our community by highlighting voices and perspectives that are rarely heard in mainstream media.
In this installment of Practically Speaking, we talk to Cultural Anthropologist Clinton Nichols about the larger social implications of celebrities (like Frank Ocean) who have decided to come out. He also talks about what it means to be Black and Gay in America.
We also talk about the legacy of Bayard Rustin, an African-American Civil Rights-Era activist who organized the March on Washington. But, he was pushed out of the spotlight because he was also Gay.
Plus, we revisit an interview with Pastor Phil of the Lawndale Christian Church.
Practically Speaking airs fresh episodes Saturdays at 1pm CST on vocalo.org, and over the air at 89.5fm and 90.7fm in Chicago. You can also catch a re-broadcast Fridays at 11am. Visit vocalo.org and press play.
In this installment of Practically Speaking, we talk to Dr. Jifunza Wright Carter of the Black Oaks Center in Pembroke Township, IL. The Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living is a family affair. The Carter family made a commitment to bring information to black communities about ecologically sustainable living. Their goal is to begin to create a path to solutions to our energy dependency.
We also spoke to Mama Roberta, a Science Teacher at the Betty Shabazz Charter Schools whose mission is to reconnect her students with the land. Additionally, we hear from PhD candidate Kellen Marshall, whose work in Ecology is directly tied to her upbringing in urban Chicago.
Featuring Music by Donald Byrd and Herbie Hancock.
Practically Speaking airs fresh episodes Saturdays at 1pm CST on vocalo.org, and over the air at 89.5fm and 90.7fm in Chicago. Visit vocalo.org and press play.
On this installment of Practically Speaking, we hear from a young, female phD candidate of color. Kellen Marshall is also a mother of three small children. She talks about the balancing act of sustaining motherhood and career. She also talks about her work in the field of Ecology.
Speaking of Women in Science and Technology, we also get an update from Shaqueisha Davis, one of the Chi Tech Academy students we profiled a few weeks ago. Since then, she’s participated in the White House Science Fair. The teen was interviewed by LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation) and by Bill Nye The Science Guy. She didn’t know who either of them were. But, the experience, as a whole is one she’ll never forget.
Plus we hear from students and staff at Lorenzo Smith School in Pembroke Township, IL. Pembroke is a small, mostly black, rural community about 60 miles outside of Chicago. Their school, much like many schools in the Chicago Public School System, is under the threat of closure. We talk to them about how their school is a lifeline and a cultural institution in their community.
Featuring Music by Roy Ayers, Jamie Woon, and Janelle Monae.
Catch fresh installment of Practically Speaking Saturdays at 1pm on vocalo.org(89.5fm NWI/Chi, 90.7fm Chi), with a rebroadcasts Fridays at 11am.
In this installment, Host Audra Wilson gets an update from Granzlee Banks (the former Chicago Public Schools Principal we profiled on Episode 1 of Practically Speaking). We also talk to a parent impacted by looming CPS school closures.
Later, Audra catches up with Robin Kelly, the new Representative of the 2nd Congressional District. They talk about some of the highlights, and some of the possible pitfalls of political life.
Plus, we’re joined by a very special guest (Audra’s Mom!) to talk about Jamaican Patois’ evolution and it’s recent appearance in American popular culture.
This episode also features music by The Crusaders and Bob Marley.
Catch all new episodes of Practically Speaking Saturdays at 1pm on Vocalo.org, 89.5fm (NWI) and 90.7fm (CHI).
On this installment of Practically Speaking, we hear audio from host Audra Wilson’s trip to Israel. During the trip she talked with Michal, an Ethiopian Jew, about the struggles her people face as immigrants. Even though the Ethiopian immigrants are Jewish, they still often face hardship as ‘outsiders’.
Audra also talks to two local people standing squarely in two worlds: Rabbi Funnye, an African-American Jew with a Synagogue on the South Side of Chicago, and Gaylon Alcaraz, a woman who is half Mexican and half Black.
Featuring music from The Dahlak Band, Arthur Verocai, and Los Socios del Ritmos
Catch all new episodes of Practically Speaking Saturdays at 1pm on Vocalo.org, 89.5fm (NWI) and 90.7fm (CHI).
On this installment of Practically Speaking, host Audra Wilson talks to Dr. Pancho McFarland about Polyculturalism, the Black presence in Mexican Culture, and more. We also hear music from:
Jesus C. Acosta & the Professionals, Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Afro-Mexican vocalist Toña la Negra and others that reflect the give and take of Latin and African Cultures.
Later in the show, we’ll hear from Todd Belcore, a young attorney fighting to help people with convictions on their criminal record to truly start fresh.
Speaking of fresh, catch all new episodes of Practically Speaking Saturdays at 1pm on Vocalo.org, 89.5fm (NWI) and 90.7fm (CHI).
On Saturday’s installment of Practically Speaking, we hear audio from host Audra Wilson’s trip to Israel. During the trip she talked with Michal, an Ethiopian Jew, about the struggles her people face as immigrants. Even though they are Jewish, they still often face hardship as ‘outsiders’.
Audra also talks to two local people standing squarely in two worlds: Rabbi Funnye, an African-American Jew with a Synagogue on the South Side of Chicago, and Gaylon Alcaraz a woman who is half Mexican and half Black.
In case you missed Episode 6 of Practically Speaking (original airdate Saturday March 23rd, 2013), here it is…
On this installment of Practically Speaking, host Audra Wilson talks to Martin Woods, a young, black opera singer from the West Side of Chicago. He talks about the challenges and the rewards of taking “the road less traveled”.
She also uncovers two educational initiatives that are building inroads for young women to enter the world of Technology.
On Saturday’s installment of Practically Speaking, host Audra Wilson talks to Dr. Pancho McFarland about Polyculturalism, the Black presence in Mexican Culture, and more. We also hear music from Afro-Mexican vocalist Toña la Negra and others that reflect the give and take of Latin and African Cultures.
Later in the show, we’ll hear from Todd Belcore, a young attorney fighting to help people with convictions on their criminal record to truly start fresh.
Speaking of fresh, catch all new episodes of Practically Speaking Saturdays at 1pm on Vocalo.org, 89.5fm (NWI) and 90.7fm (CHI).
On this installment of Practically Speaking, host Audra Wilson talks to Pastor Phil Jackson of Lawndale Community Church. Everybody at the church is trying to practice being good neighbors by making their neighborhood (Chicago’s North Lawndale) a better place to live for everyone.
Plus, we hear from Lady Terror, a poet who practices therapeutic performances: like jumping on a soapbox in front of Harold’s Chicken and reciting poetry through a bullhorn. She’s trying to voice her concerns about the problems in her community.
