The Mighty Clouds of Joy on WUNC's 'The State of Things'

The Mighty Clouds of Joy

The State of Things with Frank Stasio | WUNC-FM 91.5

They’ve played with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye, and their music has been a gospel mainstay for more than 50 years. The Mighty Clouds of Joy with lead singer Joe Ligon play live in the studio for host Frank Stasio.

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Black Feminism Today: Beverly Guy-Sheftall on WUNC's 'The State of Things'

The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio | WUNC 91.5

Black Feminism Today

In 1970, Beverly Guy-Sheftall helped create the first women’s studies department at Spelman College, and it became the first and only department of its kind at a historically Black college. Throughout her career, Guy-Sheftall shed light on and encouraged the work of Black feminism around the globe. Host Frank Stasiotalks about the importance of Black feminism with Beverly Guy-Sheftall, professor of women’s studies and founder and director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College.

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Who Stole the American Dream? Hendrick Smith on 'The State of Things'

The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio

 WUNC-FM 91.5

Who Stole the American Dream?

Is America still the land of opportunity? Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Hedrick Smith takes on that question in his new book, “Who Stole the American Dream?” (Random House/2012). His answer is a flat, “no,” but the reasons are not so simple. From the introduction of the 401k to the deregulation of banks, Hedrick Smith joins host Frank Stasio to explain the loss of America’s prosperity.

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What More Can I Say?...Remembering Nina Simone

The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio

WUNC

Nina Simone…What More Can I Say?

Nina Simone was born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, NC in 1933. She was musically gifted from a young age and her experience singing gospel in the church influenced her jazz performance style that would later make Simone an international superstar. Simone also lent her voice to the Civil Rights Movement with powerful, socially conscious songs like “Young, Gifted and Black” and “Mississippi Goddamn.” While she found success as a performer and activist, Simone also suffered from mental illness, which tore apart her personal relationships. 

The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is celebrating the life and legacy of Nina Simone this week. There is an exhibition of Simone’s letters and rare photographs and the debut of an original, one-woman play called “Nina Simone…What More Can I Say?” Host Frank Stasio discusses the power of Nina Simone’s voice and personality with Nadine Cohodas, author of “Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone” (UNC Press/2012); Sam Stephenson, Lehman-Brady Joint Visiting Professor of Documentary Studies and American Studies at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill; Joseph Jordan, Director of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center; Howard Craft and Yolanda Rabun, the playwright and star of “Nina Simone…What More Can I Say?” 

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WUNC: Meet Cathy Davidson

The State of Things with Frank Stasio

WUNC (90.7)

Meet Cathy Davidson

As a child, Cathy Davidson pulled on a nun's veil, blew up her friend's basement, and got herself kicked out of elementary school twice and high school four times.  This is an unusual start to a successful career as an academic, whose work has ranged from the closing of an American factory to cognitive neuroscience and technology.  Davidson is a professor of English at Duke University, and her latest book is called "Now You See It" (Viking Press/ 2011).  She joins host Frank Stasio to speak about her omnivorous intellectual appetite.

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Who Needs Feminism?

 

 

 

 

 

 

WUNC-91.5 | The State of Things with Frank Stasio

Who Needs Feminism?

A group of Duke University undergraduates decided to fulfill the requirements for a group project by asking their peers on campus, "Who needs feminism?" To their surprise, the world answered them. Their project’s Tumblr blog has received more than 80,000 visits from 144 countries and 11,000 people have "liked" their page on Facebook. The project would not have reached an international audience had it not been for social media. What are the possibilities and limitations that this new platform opens up for feminism? And now that they've gathered all of this momentum, what is next for them and the feminist movement? Host Frank Stasio is joined by Ashley Tsai and Catharine Kappauf, undergraduates at Duke; Rachel Seidman, adjunct lecturer at Duke and associate director of the Southern Oral History Program; Ranjana Khanna,  Duke professor and director of the Women’s Studies department; and Lisa Levenstein, associate professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

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The Beautiful Project: Self Esteem & Black Girls

The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio

WUNC-91.5

The Beautiful Project

After her mother’s death, photographer Jamaica Gilmer interviewed the women in her family about the times they struggled with identity and how they developed their notions of beauty. Their responses inspired her to create The Beautiful Project, a program that uses photography and workshops to build self-esteem in Black girls. Gilmer joins host Frank Stasio to talk about teaching young African-American women to recognize the beauty in their own images.

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The (Digital) State of Black Studies

The State of Things with Frank Stasio | WUNC

The State of Black Studies

Black studies has been an important academic field since its inception in the 1960s, but cases like the shooting of Trayvon Martin have thrown in our collective faces its continued relevance today. In a world with a black president, some people muse out loud that we are post-racial. That we don’t need to spend resources on something like black studies. Indeed, the programs are fighting for their lives at some public universities around the country. It’s in this climate, that Duke University is hosting a conference on black studies. It’s called "Black Thought 2.0: New Media and the Future of Black Studies.” Host Frank Stasio talks about the Black Thought conference and the state of black studies with Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of black popular culture in Duke University's African & African-American Studies program; and Kimberly Ellis, a writer, playwright, actress and particpant in the conference.

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William "Sandy" Darity on Affirmative Action and Academic Performance

Affirmative Action and Academic Performance

The State of Things | WUNC

w/ Frank Stasio

A new study about racial differences in academic performance at Duke University is creating controversy – and it isn’t even published yet. Duke economist Peter Arcidiacono and his colleagues reported that African-American students are more likely to change from being math and science majors to programs in the humanities or social sciences at a higher rate than their white counterparts. 

The study also suggests that the switch to less rigorous majors was largely responsible for why the grade point averages of black undergraduates ultimately became comparable to GPAs of white students as they progressed through school. Duke’s Black Student Alliance organized a protest in reaction to the research and the study has drawn heated reactions from others in the Duke community. 

Host Frank Stasio reviews the report and the response to it with Arcidiacono, a professor of economics at Duke; William “Sandy” Darity, chair of Duke’s African and African-American Studies Department and Arts and Sciences Professor of Public Policy, and Economics; and Nana Asante, a Duke senior and president of the university’s Black Student Alliance.

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Shana Tucker 'Shines' on WUNC's The State of Things

WUNC-91.5

The State of Things w/Frank Stasio

Shana Tucker

College exposed cellist Shana Tucker to a world of musical possibilities. Before enrolling at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Tucker had only been trained to play classical music. But during her time as an undergrad in the nation’s capital, she was introduced to jazz and the magic that can be created with improvisation. Tucker, a singer-songwriter, now lives in North Carolina where she is fast becoming a staple of the music scene in the Triangle. Her debut solo CD, “Shine” was released this year. Tucker joins host Frank Stasio to play live in the studio and talk about how she makes chamber music sound soulful.

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WUNC's The State of Things: Meet Mark Anthony Neal

WUNC-91.5
The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio

Meet Mark Anthony Neal

Mark Anthony Neal grew up in a home where the record player spun mostly gospel and soul. His father’s music selections created the soundtrack of his youth and eventually guided Neal to become a pioneer in the field of pop culture studies. Today he’s a professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies at Duke University and the author of five books, including his latest, New Black Man: Rethinking Black Masculinity (Routledge/2005). Neal is also the host of Left of Black, a Web series that examines social issues within the context of African-American culture. He joins host Frank Stasio to talk about pop culture’s place in academia and how black intellectualism is received once it steps outside the classroom.

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Meet Big Daddy Kane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The State of Things with Frank Stasio | WUNC
 

Meet Big Daddy Kane


Big Daddy Kane is one of the most influential voices from the golden era of hip-hop. In the 1980s, Kane entered the music scene with style, sex appeal and the skills to rhyme over rapid-fire beats – a combination that sealed his place in hip-hop history as one of the best emcees of all-time. The Brooklyn-born rapper now makes his home in North Carolina where he continues his creative work. He joins host Frank Stasio to talk about his influential career and his role as a rap music pioneer.
 
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Reading the Language of Rape Culture

WUNC 91.5
The State of Things | Frank Stasio

Reading the Language of Rape Culture
Wednesday, April 06 2011

Most cases of rape and sexual assault never make the news. But in recent weeks, horrific stories about victims of sexual violence have created national headlines. Some language used in the reporting of these cases and public reactions to them has caused controversy. How we articulate ideas about rape sheds light on American perceptions of violence, gender and race. Host Frank Stasio discusses the language and the law surrounding rape with a panel of guests including documentary filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons; Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of African and African-American Studies at Duke University; Melissa Harris-Perry, associate professor of politics and African-American Studies at Princeton University; and Mary R. Block, associate professor of history at Valdosta State University.

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MLK 'Day On' @ YWCA-Raleigh

2011 MLK Day On

Make it an inspiring “day on" this January 17. Hear untold stories about Dr. Martin Luther King and help us launch three YWCA Study Circles on race in our community.

Join the YWCA and partners Community United Church of Christ and the N.C. Social Justice Project for a special program commemorating Dr. King that will include:

• A community forum moderated by WUNC's Frank Stasio.
• Panelists including youth activist Sanyu Gichie; civil rights scholar Benita Jones; education activist Olga Matos; race/culture expert Mark Anthony Neal; and Muslim interfaith leader Jihad Shawwa.
• Refreshments provided and free childcare on a first-come, first-serve basis.

REGISTER NOW

The event marks the official kick-off of three YWCA Study Circles in our community. Study Circles are multi-racial groups of eight to 10 people who gather for six weeks to learn about present-day racial equity in our nation and the region. Participants share their experiences and learn steps to foster proactive resolutions.

If you're committed to racial equity, join us as we strive toward justice for all!

• Date: January 17, 2011
• Time: 3:00 p.m.
• Location: Community United Church of Christ, 814 Dixie Trail, Raleigh
• Contact: Julia Dawson (919) 828-3205

The Late, Great Dr. Billy Taylor

Pianist Billy Taylor, Jazz Ambassador And NPR Host, Dies
by NPR Staff and Patrick Jarenwattananon

Billy Taylor, a pianist who became one of the country's foremost ambassadors for jazz music — including many years as an NPR host — died Tuesday night. The cause was a heart attack, according to his daughter, Kim Taylor Thompson. He was 89.

Born in 1921, Taylor had been a professional musician for more than six decades. After graduating from Virginia State College, he moved to New York in 1944; there, his first big gig was in the band of saxophonist Ben Webster. He would end up playing with essentially all the greats of that era, and many of them since. As a recording artist, he's best known as the leader of a trio, a format he maintained since the 1950s, and also as the composer of the song "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free."

After he had established himself as a premier musician, Taylor began broadcasting jazz. In 1958, he was musical director for The Subject Is Jazz, a National Educational Television program that was the first about jazz. He would later profile many musicians and advocates for CBS' Sunday Morning program; he also directed the band on The David Frost Show and produced projects for PBS.

Additionally, Taylor was program director of the Harlem-based radio station WLIB, and was a host on the New York pop station WNEW. Those positions led to a long relationship with NPR, where he interviewed and featured top performers on numerous programs, including a 13-week series called Taylor Made Piano and the long-running series Jazz Alive! and Billy Taylor's Jazz at the Kennedy Center. NPR Music's JazzSet regularly features performances from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where Taylor was long the artistic director for jazz.

Dr. Billy Taylor — his common appellation, as he held a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and many honorary degrees — is also remembered as an educator who traveled widely for clinics and lectures. Since 1964, his JazzMobile organization has presented free concerts and workshops in New York City (and primarily its heavily African-American neighborhoods). Those who knew him universally speak of his personal warmth, and of his missionary-like zeal for introducing jazz music to people.

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also

Honoring Billy Taylor (2008)
WUNC-FM
The State of Things w/ Frank Stasio

When Tar Heel native Billy Taylor arrived in New York City, it took him just one week to land a gig playing piano alongside a jazz master, saxophonist Ben Webster. Taylor's auspicious beginnings in the early 1940s turned into a six-decade long career accompanying great musicians like Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. But beyond the masterful performances and hundreds of original jazz compositions, Taylor also made a name for himself by teaching jazz to the masses. Tonight, Billy Taylor will be honored at North Carolina Central University. Taylor and Dr. Larry Ridley, Executive Director of African American Jazz Caucus, join host Frank Stasio to talk about Taylor's life in music and North Carolina's place in jazz history.

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Like This! The Photography of Sedrick Miles

The State of Things
w/ Frank Stasio
WUNC-FM

Photographer Sed Miles has spent the last three years documenting people and events in North Carolina. Miles, who has been living in Durham, is preparing to travel the world armed with a camera and not much else. But before he leaves, he will pay homage to the faces and places of the Bull City with an exhibit called “Like This.” Many of the images on display have been viewed before on Facebook, but Miles’ goal is for the members of his adopted community to log off of the Internet and experience his work in the presence of friends and neighbors. Miles joins host Frank Stasio to talk about what happens when fine art meets Facebook.

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