The Healing Power of Black Theatre

Sarah Bellamy is the Artistic Director of the Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her father, Lou Bellamy, started the Company back in 1976, as a place to create drama by, for, and about Black people. That mission has continued under Sarah’s leadership, gaining a new sense of urgency in the Twin Cities since the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Sarah speaks about the history of Penumbra, its place in the community, and what she sees as the theatre of the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Glen Henry loves everything about being a Black dad – and he’s eager to show others why. On his YouTube channel, Beleaf in Fatherhood, he turns the stuff of everyday life in the Henry household – with his wife, Yvette, and their four kids – into artful, loving, and insightful videos about Black fatherhood and Black family life. He doesn’t shy away from the difficult stuff, either – like the recent talk he and his wife had with their two oldest kids about race. Here, Glen talks about why he does what he does, his own loss of innocence, and what he hopes for the future of America. Glen’s seven-year-old son, Theo, joins the conversation, too, and tells us what he loves about being Black. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As protests continue across the country, we hear from two leading activists about why they think this moment is different. Social justice leader Tamika D. Mallory calls it a collision of multiple pandemics. She has been traveling the country speaking with victims’ families and speaking at rallies, marches, and protests. She reflects on what it all means to her, especially as a mother to a 21-year-old son. For Trae tha Truth, a rapper and longtime community activist in Houston, this moment has hit too close to home because George Floyd was his friend. Trae opens up about how he wanted to honor George and his family in a march that drew tens of thousands of people. The Window production of Gimlet Projects. Our team includes: Catherine Anderson, Katelyn Bogucki, Rosie Guerin, Renita Jablonksi, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, Abbie Ruzicka, Andrea B. Scott, Jamescia Thomas, Kerrianne Thomas, and Mathilde Urfalino. Special thanks to Dan Behar, Director and Designer Jorge Casanova, and Andrew Helms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the pandemic continues, we’re now in the middle of another national crisis. The killing of George Floyd at the hands of police set off a new wave of protests against police violence and racism. In the midst of this moment, Black people are speaking up and out, and sharing their stories. In this episode, stories from host Xavier Jernigan along with two of his colleagues: Michael Polidore and Larissa Lamothe. The Window is a production of Gimlet Projects. Our team includes: Catherine Anderson, Katelyn Bogucki, Rosie Guerin, Renita Jablonksi, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger, Abbie Ruzicka, Andrea B. Scott, Jamescia Thomas, Kerrianne Thomas, and Mathilde Urfalino. Special thanks to Dan Behar.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christine Tran is a senior at UCLA and she’s on track to become the first person in her family to graduate from college. This year, she’ll have to do so virtually. It’s a disappointing change of plans – she’s the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, and was eager to share her big moment on stage with them. Now, there’s little time to celebrate. With both of her parents out of work due to the pandemic, Christine’s job search has cranked into overdrive. Christine shares her plans for the future and offers her take on the lessons she hopes we can learn from the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tiffany Pinckney was stunned when she tested positive for Covid-19. She was stunned again when she learned that her antibodies could help others recover from the disease. Tiffany’s name landed in news reports when she became one of the first survivors in the US to donate plasma in the effort to find treatments for Covid-19. She describes the progression of her illness, her fears as a mother of two, and how the experience has given her a new sense of purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. James Black runs emergency services for the local hospital system in Albany, GA. When the pandemic began, he didn't expect that his tight-knit hometown would become one of the American epicenters of the disease. But then it did. And Dr. Black found himself treating friends and neighbors in the ER. He talks about the challenges of that and how it propels him forward, the music getting him through, and the dream vacation that's now on the backburner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wilson Tang began to see a downturn in his business as the world was getting its first reports about the coronavirus in China. He runs Nom Wah Tea Parlor in New York City's Chinatown. The unassuming restaurant is an anchor of the neighborhood and will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year. Wilson opens up about how his staff, and the neighborhood, have been affected by the pandemic and what it will take to move forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christian Smalls is a former worker at JFK8, Amazon's Staten Island warehouse. Last month, he was fired hours after he staged a walkout over safer working conditions. Chris talks about what he saw inside the warehouse during the coronavirus outbreak, his moves to organize, and what now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atlanta hairstylist Shakiera Earvin describes what led to her decision to return work after Georgia's governor relaxed stay-at-home orders. She tells us what happened after she took clients for the first time in a month, why she may need to close again, and what continues to give her hope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices