AfricaNow! May 5, 2021 Pan-Africanism in Black Media  

Topic and Guests: As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day—which every year on May 3—the show focuses on Pan-Africanism in Black media—historically and present-day.  On the occasion of W. E. B. Du Bois’ 153rd birthday in February Pan African Heritage World USA, NAACP, Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), Cazman Global and Africa World Now Project presented the panel entitled The Role of Black Media in Shaping Pan-Africanism.  The show features a portion of that conversation.  The discussion features: Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer; Eric Easter, CEO, BlackBox Digital Studios; Lottie Joiner, Editor-in-Chief of The Crisis magazine; and Frederick Morton, Founder & CEO, TEMPO Networks LLC.   James Pope of the Africa World Now Project collective and AfricaNow!’s Executive Producer and Co-Host served as moderator of the panel.  Here is James Pope with the discussion.

Music On Show: at the beginning : “MOTHERLAND” BY JIMMY DLUDLU; at the break “DRUM SONG” BY EARTH, WIND & FIRE; & closing with “WORK” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS to commemorate International Workers' Day or May Day.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).

AfricaNow! May 5, 2021 Pan - Africanism In Black Media

AfricaNow! August 2, 2023 Hip-Hop @ 50 and Celebrating Cuba’s Doctors

Topics and Guests: This year on August 11 is widely considered as the 50th anniversary of hip-hop—reportedly emerging more publicly at a party that day in 1973 in the Bronx.  Hip-hop has not only been the soundtrack of youth movements here in the U.S. but also of similar struggles across the African World and the rest of the globe.  Movements such as Y’en a Marre (We Have Had Enough or Fed Up) in Senegal; Balai Citoyen (Citizen’s Broom) in Burkina Faso; and Rhodes Must Fall and Fees Must Fall in South Africa. This program has over the years covered these movements extensively and that material will be made available on our SoundCloud page.   Today Dr. Msia Kibona Clark explores the cultural dynamics, innovation, social commentary, and expansion of hip-hop, and space in academia for hip-hop.  The conversation with Professor Kibona Clark also highlights the upcoming conference at Howard University from August 10 to the 11th entitled “Hip-Hop 50:  Past Present & Future” (visit https://www.hiphopathoward.com/)

Dr. Msia Kibona Clark is an Associate Professor of African cultural & feminist studies in the Department of African Studies at Howard University. She has published numerous articles. Professor Kibona Clark is author of four books—Hip-Hop in Africa: Prophets of the City and Dustyfoot Philosophers, African Women in Digital Spaces: Redefining Social Movements on the Continent and in the Diaspora, Hip Hop and Social Change in Africa: Ni Wakati, and Pan African Spaces: Essays on Black Transnationalism.

AfriocaNow! also explores Cuba’s solidarity efforts with other countries in the field of medicine with Salifu Mack, Pan-Africanist and organizer with the All-African People's Revolutionary Party and the Lowcountry Action Committee in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, and Obi Egbuna, Jr., Founding Member and Executive Director of Mass Emphasis Children’s History and Theater Company (2012).  Obi Egbuna, Jr. is a journalist, African/a history teacher and playwright and is correspondent to The Herald, Zimbabwe’s national newspaper.  

Event on August 6, 2023, on Zoom “A Tribute to Cuba's Greatest Army: Youth Dedications to Cuban Doctors and the Henry Reeve Medical Brigade.”  To register visit www.tinyurl.com/CubanHeroes. 
 
MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“UMI SAYS” BY YASIIN BEY A.K.A. MOS DEF; break--“FEES WILL FALL” BY GIGI LAMAYNE FOLLOWED BY “LEKELA MUADI” BY TSHALA MUANA; sign-off--“LEKELA MUADI” BY TSHALA MUANA; closing--“AFRICA IS THE FUTURE” BY BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFW write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Aug. 2, 2023 Hip-Hop @ 50 and Celebrating Cuba’s Doctors

AfricaNow! November 8, 2023 Remembering Maurice Bishop and the U.S. Invasion of Grenada

Topics and Guests: As we reflect on the U.S. invasion of Grenada 40 years ago on October 25, 1983 and the assassination of Maurice Bishop then prime minister of Grenada on October 19, 1983 AfricaNow! goes into its archives with a discussion with Von Martin, President of Caribbeana, and Host and Producer of Caribbeana on WPFW and a recent conversation featured on Caribbeana between Von Martin and Ambassador Dessima Williams, President of the Senate in Grenada and former Grenada ambassador to the UN.  

After 400 years of colonial-rule, Grenada won its independence in 1974 with Eric Gairy being its first prime minister.  Under Gairy’s leadership there was substantial corruption, widespread poverty and social unrest which led to a revolution by the New Jewel Movement with a young lawyer Maurice Bishop on March 13, 1979.  In that year Maurice Bishop became the new prime minister with the People’s Revolutionary Government.  Under Bishop’s leadership the citizens joined the new participatory-styled democracy, and the island was transforming from poverty and dependency upon the U.S. and the British toward one of self-reliance.  Both the Carter and Reagan administrations viewed the independence and socialist-styled government of Bishop’s Grenada with suspicion and contempt and actively worked to undermine it.  While Bishop brought unemployment down from 49% in 1979 to 14.2% in 1982, internal conflicts still persisted exacerbated by powerful outside forces.  On October 19, 1983, Maurice Bishop was assassinated allegedly by members of his own party.  The assassination of Maurice Bishop provided the Reagan administration a pretext to invade the island country of then less than 100,000 people on October 25, 1983.  Over 7,000 U.S. troops invaded Grenada.

The show begins with Von Martin, President of Caribbeana, and Host and Producer of Caribbeana on WPFW.  The conversation dissects Maurice Bishop's and the New Jewel Movement's philosophy and work in Grenada, U.S. negative impact in the Caribbean and invasion of Grenada and more.  Also included is a recent conversation featured on Caribbeana on October 28, 2023 between Von Martin and Ambassador Dessima Williams, President of the Senate in Grenada and former Grenada ambassador to the UN.  The conversation focuses on the legacy of Maurice Bishop and the New Jewel Movement on the island of Grenada, in the Caribbean and beyond.  The show also features the voice and words of Maurice Bishop from the film GRENADA: NOBODY'S BACKYARD by John Douglas, Kavery Dutta, Ellen Ray.   Caribbeana airs Saturdays 6-9PM (U.S. Eastern) on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC or at www.wpfwfm.org.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“TRUTH DON DIE” BY FEMI KUTI; break--“GET UP STAND UP” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS commemorating 50th anniversary of its release on the BURNIN’ album October 19, 1973; sign-off--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; closing song--“FREEDOM SOUNDS” BY THE SKATALITES.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFW write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo: https://www.pathfinderpress.com/products/maurice-bishop-speaks-the-grenada-revolution-and-its-overthrow_1979-83#tab-2

AfricaNow! Nov. 8, 2023 Remembering Maurice Bishop and the U.S. Invasion of Grenada

AfricaNow! April 10, 2024 War in Sudan One Year On

Topic and Guests: April 15 marks one year since war broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo a.k.a. Hemedti.   Recent figures indicate over 9 million people have been displaced—internally and externally as refugees abroad; and the United Nations World Food Programme notes roughly 18 million face acute food insecurity (“What caused the civil war in Sudan and how has it become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises” The Guardian March 22, 2024 https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/mar/22/what-caused-the-civil-war-in-sudan-and-how-has-it-become-one-of-the-worlds-worst-humanitarian-crises). The war has impacted children heavily—it has been noted as many as 19 million children are out of school due to the war. 

Recently I had conversations unpacking the war situation in Sudan and solidarity efforts with Sudanese in deal with the war’s impact.  The conversations dissected internal and external players; the role multinational corporations; historic neoliberal policies which have undermined the country’s food production; the tremendous role of the Resistance Committees in addressing the needs of the people; the solidarity efforts with Sudanese from abroad and more.  The conversations featured Dr. Nisrin Elamin and Diana Konate.  Scholar/Activist Dr. Nisrin Elamin, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology and Department of African Studies, University of Toronto, and a member of the Sudan Solidarity Collective in Canada.  Diana Konate, Deputy Executive Director of Policy, and Advocacy, African Communities Together (ACT).

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“UHURU KWANZA” BY RANDY WESTON remembering his birthday April 6 (April 6, 1926 – September 1, 2018) and Jazz Appreciation Month; break--“AL AMAL” BY NOORI & HIS DORPA BAND; intro of Diana Konate--“JABANA” BY NOORI & HIS DORPA BAND; sign-off--“JARABI” SONA JOBARTEH; closing song--“GOD BLESS THE CHILD” BY BILLIE HOLIDAY commemorating her birthday April 7 (April 7, 1915—July 17, 1959) and Jazz Appreciation Month.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo: Sudanese Dr. Dimah Mahmoud with signs at Embassy of Sudan by and Drawing of Statement on Sidewalk in front of Embassy of Sudan by Dimah Mahmoud in front Sudan Embassy in Washington, DC in June 2023. Photos courtesy of Mwiza Munthali.

AfricaNow! Apr. 10, 2024 War in Sudan One Year On

AfricaNow! April 17, 2024 Black Working-Class Contributions to the Cuban Revolution with Pedro Sarduy

Topic and Guest: Black working-class contributions to the most recent iteration of the Cuban revolution are immense, yet somehow missing in discourse around revolutionary Cuba.  The long history of African resistance and cultural contributions to Cuban society, which has been intricately connected to global Black freedom movements has been in rhythmic continuity till present day. An illustration of this is Carlota Lucumi and Firmina are remembered for their parts planning and leading a 1843 revolt of enslaved Africans in colonial Cuba. Then there is Rosa Castellanos was a freed slave, medic and soldier in the Ten Years’ War. At the onset of the war in 1868, Castellanos used her knowledge of indigenous medicinal herbs to treat injured soldiers. ...we come to understand the role that Juan Almeida, born into a black working-class family in Havana who also worked as a bricklayer from age 11, played in the Cuban revolution. ....

In Cuba’s support of liberation struggles against colonial forces on the African continent—from Algeria to Angola to Cape Verde to Guinea Bissau to Mozambique—individuals such Victor Dreke who epitomized Cuba in Africa, Africa in Cuba.  He served as second in command under Ernesto Che Guevara in the Congo. 

The continuities are clear and important on many levels – that is on the level of internal, as confronting internal contradictions specifically the necessity to fight the colonially structured vestiges of racism in Cuban society is an added terrain of struggle. ... The struggle to heighten the internal contradictions, which is a struggle, in its totality, a struggle against the coloniality of being. Where the vestiges of old forms of oppression are presented in new ways. In the case of Cuba, where the colonial structures of race/racism are used to try to undo the revolutionary process of creating a liberated territory. 

Today, we present a conversation from a few weeks ago with Pedro Sarduy where we engage in a discussion that is in its essence, a mapping of the anticolonial process. Pedro Pérez-Sarduy is a poet, writer, journalist, and broadcaster living in Puerto Rico, London and Havana. He is the author of Surrealidad (Havana 1967), Cumbite and Other Poems (Havana 1987 and New York 1990).  He is also co-editor with Jean Stubbs of Afro-Cuba: An Anthology of Cuban Writing on Race, Politics and Culture (1993) and co-author for the anthology No Longer Invisible/Afro-Latin Americans Today (1995). His Journal in Babylon is a series of chronicles on Britain. His first novel, Las Criadas de la Habana (The Maids of Havana), is based on his mother's life stories about pre-and post-revolutionary Havana.  This is the first novel by a contemporary Afro Cuban writer on family life in Cuba. He has written numerous articles. Together with Jean Stubbs, he wrote Afro-Cuban Voices on Race and Identity in Contemporary Cuba (2000). Sarduy has read his work internationally and lectured regularly on race, politics, and culture at academic institutions, globally. 
Awards he has received a number of awards for his poetry.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW all songs for Jazz Appreciation Month: intro--“DARY” BY OMAR SOSA AND SECKOU KEITA commemorating Omar Sosa’s birthday April 10; break--“JAZZ BATÁ” BY CHUCHO VALDÉS; sign-off--“MAIDEN VOYAGE” BY HERBIE HANCOCK commemorating Herbie Hancock’s birthday April 12; closing song--“TANGA SUITE” BY MARIO BAUZA.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Apr. 17, 2024 Black Working-Class Contributions to the Cuban Revolution with Pedro Sarduy

AfricaNow! May 8, 2024 Media’s Challenges and Responsibilities

Topic and Guests: Since 1994 May 3 has been commemorated yearly as World Press Freedom Day, following the proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993 that every May 3 would be World Press Freedom Day.  May 3 is the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek of May 3, 1991, where (in Windhoek, Namibia) African journalists put together principles for an independent, pluralistic press reaffirming that freedom of information is a fundamental human right.  This year the theme is A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crisis.

Today the show features recent conversations with journalists about issues concerning the media: 1) the challenges such as financial constraints, attacks and killings of journalists, political interference and more; 2) the responsibilities such as disseminating accurate information, professionalism and more.  Joining the show from Lilongwe is Chisomo Ngulube, Vice Chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi.   Chisomo Ngulube has over 20 years’ experience in various media capacities and is a 2017 Harvard University Nieman Journalism Fellow. Currently she is head of broadcasting at the Malawi Parliament.  Also featured from Washington, DC is Abderrahim Foukara, Washington Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera who has over 30 years’ experience in journalism in various positions at the BBC and Al Jazeera.  During the conversation with Abderrahim Foukara, Washington Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera features comments from South African journalist Thembisa Fakude of the Mail & Guardian on SABC TV program Media & Society, “High journalist deaths in Gaza war” January 14, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlVyl4ZIxm8&t=569s. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“EYE OF THE HURRICANE” BY HERBIE HANCOCK TRIO FEAT. HERBIE HANCOCK, RON CARTER & BILLY COBHAM commemorating Ron Carter’s birthday (May 4, 1937—); break--“ALL THE WAY FROM AFRICA” BY KETURAH; sign-off--“BAOBAB SUNSET” BY MANU DIBANGO; closing song--“MY MOTHERLAND AFRICA” BY LAWI.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW. Donate online visit pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! May 8, 2024 Media’s Challenges and Responsibilities

AfricaNow! September 11, 2024 Nigeria—Economic Challenges, Protests and More

Topic and Guest: This August people in Nigeria went to the streets to protest President Bola Tinubu’s government economic policies which have raised the cost of living.  Many protesters have been killed and arrested by the police.   At the center of these demonstrations is the economic hardships people are facing but they go beyond that issue.  People are also demanding that the government serve the masses.  Hence the protests were dubbed #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.  Just as protest movements in Kenya, Tanzania and other places in June and July this year, Nigerian youth have played a prominent role.

The show highlights a recent conversation which contextualized the general economic problems in Nigeria; government policies such as the current petroleum price changes and negative role of multinational oil companies; the protests; youth unemployment and more.  The conversation featured Eustace Imoyera James, Assistant General Secretary (Research) Nigeria Labour Congress in Abuja.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“SHAKARA” BY SÉRGIO MENDES & BRASIL `77 remembering Sergio Mendes who joined the ancestors on September 5 (February 11, 1941—September 5, 2024); break--“SUFFRI” BY NNEKA; sign-off--“WOLF EATS WOLF” BY TONY ALLEN.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during.  Donate online visit pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo: #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protest photo by and courtesy of DJ Gabby of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa

AfricaNow! Sep. 11, 2024 Nigeria—Economic Challenges, Protests and More

AfricaNow! October 9, 2024 AFRICOM—Militarism, Imperialism & Neocolonialism

Topic and Guests: October 1, 2007, marks an important date in the increased U.S. militarization of Africa.  That is the day the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) began and was started fully operating the following year on October 1, 2008. Those featured on the show today unpack Western governments’ neocolonial policies throughout the continent; foreign intervention in Haiti under the guise of Pan-Africanism; and the continued U.S. militarization of Africa through AFRICOM (the U.S. Africa Command).

The show begins with a recent conversation with Kossi Paul of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (AAPRP) and active member of the Panafrican Brigade for Palestine and is on the Steering Committee of the U.S. Out of Africa Network of Black Alliance for Peace.  

The show then spotlights a portion of Black Alliance for Peace's (BAP) recent webinar launching of the 2024 International Month of Action Against AFRICOM, entitled Resisting Fascism and Neocolonialism: U.S. Out of Africa, #ShutDownAFRICOM.  The show features Booker Omole, National Vice Chairperson and National Organizing Secretary, Communist Party of Kenya; Inemesit Richardson, President, Thomas Sankara Center, Burkina Faso; and Leila A., Black Alliance for Peace from the launch. 
  
More information on Black Alliance for Peace’s campaign Resisting Fascism and Neocolonialism: U.S. Out of Africa, #ShutDownAFRICOM and it launch webinar available at  https://blackallianceforpeace.com/. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“ZOMBIE” BY FELA KUTI commemorating his birthday (October 15, 1938—August 2, 1997); break--“AFRIKA” BY JONATHAN BUTLER remembering his birthday (October 10, 1961—); intro to final speaker--“ON FIRE” BY TONY ALLEN commemorating his birthday (October 6, 1938—April 30, 2020); sign-off--“BLACK LIGHTNING” BY ABDULLAH IBRAHIM (DOLLAR BRAND) remembering his birthday (October 9, 1934—); closing song--“CHUCHO’S STEPS” BY CHUCHO VALDÉS & KENNY GARRETT remembering Chucho Valdés’ birthday (October 9, 1941—) and Kenny Garrett’s birthday (October 9, 1960—).

Next week we begin our Fall Pledge Drive.  Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online @ https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Oct. 9, 2024 AFRICOM—Militarism, Imperialism & Neocolonialism

AfricaNow! February 5, 2025 Current & Continuous Aggression against DRC Contextualized

Topic and Guests: The show continues to focus and contextualizes the constant aggression against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The conversations featured dissect the current situation Goma, DRC dealing with M23 takeover and Rwanda’s involvement; Uganda’s involvement; the continued external destabilization by the U.S. and other western countries; the continued neo-colonial role of multinational corporations and western nations who are exploiting the DRC’s vast resources; the massive loss of life and the plight of internally displaced people and more.  Guests include Akilimali Chomachoma, journalist in Goma, DRC, and Claude Gatebuke, Co-founder, Executive Director, African Great Lakes Action Network.  Also featured are diaspora Congolese voices amplifying demands from the people.  The diaspora Congolese voices were part of a recent demonstration at the Embassy of Rwanda presented by the Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan (CCWM), Friends of Congo and others.  You will now hear portions of speeches by  Nils Kinuani, Board Director, and Immigration Coordinator for the Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan (CCWM), and Elvi of the Future of Congo organization. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“WHO THE CAP FIT” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS remembering Bob Marley’s birthday on February 6 he would have turned 80 on that day this year (February 6, 1945–May 11, 1981); intro segment two--“TRÈS IMPOLI” BY FRANCO & T.P.O.K. JAZZ; break--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; background to segment three with diaspora Congolese voices--“GET UP STAND UP” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS remembering Bob Marley’s birthday on February 6 he would have turned 80 on that day this year (February 6, 1945–May 11, 1981); sign-off--“1865 (96 DEGREES IN THE SHADE)” BY THIRD WORLD remembering the lead singer of Third World Bunny Rugs’s birthday (February 6, 1948–February 2, 2014); closing--“UHAKI (JUSTICE)” BY ALL STARS OF GOMA NORTH KIVU DRC.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during our Winter Pledge Drive February 9-22, 2025.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo by AfricaNow! of protest at Rwanda Embassy in Washington, DC Feb. 1, 2025.


AfricaNow! Feb. 5, 2025 Current & Continuous Aggression against DRC Contextualized

AfricaNow! March 5, 2025 Gerald Horne on Armed Struggle, & Update on the DRC

Topics and Guests: Today the show features a portion of a recent discussion by Dr. Gerald Horne at Sankofa Video and Books.  The conversation centered around Dr. Gerald Horne’s new publication Armed Struggle? Panthers and Communists; Black Nationalists and Liberals in Southern California through the Sixties and Seventies.  In the book Gerald Horne sketches the apparent paradox of some African Americans turning to armed struggle at a time when it appeared that Jim Crow was retreating.  He draws critical distinctions between armed propaganda, armed self-defense—and armed struggle— all of which he places in a global context of anti-war activism, the Cold War, and African liberation.  Professor Gerald Horne is currently the John J. and Rebecca Moores Chair of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston.  Dr. Horne has written nearly 40 books dealing with the confluence of African American History, Communist History, the struggle for liberation, internationalism, imperialism, colonialism, racism, white supremacy, and fascism.  The conversation features an introduction by Dr. Gregg Carr of Howard University and interventions by filmmaker/educator Dr. Haile Gerima of Sankofa. (the full conversation is on Sankofa’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x59ltOV2ELE&t=2970s)

As we commemorate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8 and following up from our show last week, Maurice Carney, Executive Director and co-founder of Friends of the Congo provides an update on the DRC–focusing on violence against women during the M23 takeover of Bukavu and Goma in DRC.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“AFRICA” BY ALICE COLTRANE; break--“JARABI” BY SONA JOBARTEH; intro to update on DRC--“NOT YET UHURU” BY LETTA MBULU; sign-off--“SUFFRI” BY NNEKA; closing--“ALUTA CONTINUA” BY MIRIAM MAKEBA remembering her birthday (March 4, 1932–November 9, 2008).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo by AfricaNow! of protest at Rwanda Embassy in Washington, DC Feb. 1, 2025. Book cover of Armed Struggle? Panthers and Communists; Black Nationalists and Liberals in Southern California through the Sixties and Seventies by Gerald Horne.

AfricaNow! Mar. 5, 2025 Gerald Horne on Armed Struggle, & Update on the DRC

AfricaNow! March 12, 2025 Voices in Solidarity with Congolese Women

Topic and Guests: As we commemorate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8 today the show focuses on violence against women during the M23 takeover of Bukavu and Goma in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).   The show features voices of Congolese diaspora women and others we recorded from the recent March in Solidarity with Congolese Women on International Women’s Day.  The march began at the Rwanda Embassy to the White House.  The event was organized by various organizations from the Congolese diaspora and beyond: such as African Diaspora Connection, Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan,the Future of Congo organization, Genocongo, Friends of the Congo and others.   The speakers highlighted the disproportional high rate of violence against women during the continuous aggression against DRC; M23 takeover of Bukavu and Goma; Rwanda’s involvement; the continued external destabilization by western countries; the continued neo-colonial role of multinational corporations and western nations who are exploiting the DRC’s vast resources; the massive loss of life and the plight of internally displaced people and more.

In the first segment you hear Sylvia Rubuye a Panzi Youth Ambassador, Jessica Ngambi founder of African Diaspora Connection, Amina Bukasa, Paul Pamphrey of Friends of the Congo, and Sylvia Rubuye a Panzi Foundation Youth Ambassador and a tech worker representing No Tech for Apartheid.  

Then in the second segment you will hear Camille Mbayo, Sarafina Nuritibu, Jessica Ngambi founder of African Diaspora Connection, Yejide Orunmila President of the African National Women’s Organization, and D. Bahati.  AfricaNow! also features Elvie Banda of the Future of Congo from the February 1, 2025 demonstration at the Rwanda Embassy.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“LEKELA MUADI” BY TSHALA MUANA; break--“MAI” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE remembering her birthday (March 5, 1976–July 24, 2013) also commemorating Women’s History Month; sign-off--“AFRICA AT THE CENTER OF THE WORLD” BY FELA KUTI & ROY AYERS remembering Roy Ayers who joined the ancestors on March 4, 2025 (September 10, 1940–March 4, 2025); closing--“MY PEOPLE” BY ANGIE STONE remembering Angie Stone who joined the ancestors on March 1, 2025 (December 18, 1961–March 1, 2025).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos by AfricaNow! of protest at Rwanda Embassy in Washington, DC Mar. 8, 2025.

AfricaNow! Mar. 12, 2025 Voices in Solidarity with Congolese Women

AfricaNow! March 19, 2025 Freedom Summer, Fascist Winter

Topic and Guests: Today we feature a conversation with Dr. Felicia Denaud and Dr. Joshua Myers.  The discussion focuses on their project–Freedom Summer, Fascist Winter: Black Power 1960-1970.  The project focuses on Black Power politics across the revolutionary 1960s.  As the project description states: Black Power remains a vital context of 20th century struggle and argument, summarizing a range of global activity and thinking linked by a fundamental critique of the West, racial/ colonial rule, and capitalism.  Black Power networks prioritized self-determination and militant struggle though differed widely in the forms of political community toward which they advanced.  Highlighted in this work are key organizations including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPP), and the Black Liberation Army (BLA).    

Dr. Felicia Denaud, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Cincinnati teaching a range of courses that center Black social and political thought.  Dr. Joshua M. Myers, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Howard University and is a member of AfricaNow!’s and Africa World Now Project’s collective and has published extensively on Black Studies.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“BABA AFRIKA!” BY CHRISTINE KAMAU; break--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; sign-off--“FORTIFY” BY NUBYA GARCIA; closing--“WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED” BY SNCC FREEDOM SINGERS at the March on Washington, August 28, 1963.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos from: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seminar-freedom-summer-fascist-winter-black-power-19601970-tickets-1220860640039, https://www.freedomforum.org/content/uploads/2024/05/1200x785_column_052124_G21798P-1024x670.jpg, https://mcrm.mdah.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/ETKS0812209.jpg, https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/api/singleitem/image/p15932coll2/13320/default.jpg, https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/api/singleitem/image/p15932coll2/50224/default.jpg?highlightTerms=Student%20Nonviolent%20Coordinating%20Committee%20(U.S.), https://www.crmvet.org/images/imgfs.htm

AfricaNow! Mar. 19, 2025 Freedom Summer, Fascist Winter

AfricaNow! March 26, 2025 Voices of Conscience, Courage & Resistance

Topic and Guests: As we come near the end of Women’s History Month, AfricaNow! goes into its archive and highlights the voices of conscience, courage and resistance of Dr. Wangari Maathai, Gloria Rolando and Professor Sonia Sanchez.  We begin with an interview of Dr. Wangari Maathai,  the founder of the Green Belt Movement of Kenya, the first environmentalist and first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This coming April 1 Wangari Maathai—who joined the ancestors on September 25, 2011—would have been 85 years old (April 1, 1940–September 25, 2011).  The show presents a conversation between WPFW’s former Public Affairs Director Gloria Minott and Dr. Maathai on October 7, 2008.  The show also features filmmaker Gloria Rolando as AfricaNow! continues to commemorate Women’s History Month with voices of conscience, courage and resistance from our archive (AfricaNow! June 3, 2015). As an independent filmmaker Gloria Rolando's career spans over 40 years at ICAIC, Cuba's film center. 
 
AfricaNow! also features a brief discussion by Professor Sonia Sanchez–poet, playwright, activist; seminal figure in the 1960s Black Arts Movement; mentor to generations of poets and hip-hop artists. This talk took place on Friday, August 19, 2016 soon after the screening of BADDDDDD SONIA SANCHEZ on the opening night of the 10th Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival DC. Also in the brief conversation is the director of film BADDDDDD SONIA SANCHEZ Sabrina Schmidt Gordon, and the moderator is Diarah N’Daw-Spech Co-Founder and Co-Director of the African Diaspora International Film Festival.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“CONUNDRUM” BY KASIVA MUTUA; intro to Gloria Rolando segment--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; intro to Sonia Sanchez segment--“LEKELA MUADI” BY TSHALA MUANA; sign-off--“NUMBER ONE” BY PATRICE RUSHEN; closing--“THINK” BY ARETHA FRANKLIN (March 25, 1942–August 16, 2018) remembering her birthday and commemorating Women’s History Month.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos from: https://x.com/NobelPrize/status/1774678351166222621?lang=en  https://i.thriftbooks.com/api/imagehandler/m/2F88D54188DD8F1D27ED649AE52CBA3B69E747D5.jpeg https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=841590537638817&set=a.306780931119783 https://images.app.goo.gl/tkhkxbZgrGfYZwew7 https://soniasanchez.net/bio/ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492824745i/727394.jpg

AfricaNow! Mar. 26, 2025 Voices of Conscience, Courage & Resistance

AfricaNow! April 2, 2025 The Rhythms of Black Freedom: Africa and Black Internationalism

Topic and Guest: As we begin Jazz Appreciation Month, the show goes into its archives and features a conversation from 2022 (AfricaNow! March 2, 2022 The Rhythms of Black Freedom: Africa and Black Internationalism) with Professor Tom Porter former member of CORE (the Congress of Racial Equality), SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), former head of the King Center in Atlanta, former Director of Black Studies at Ohio University, former WPFW Program Director and more. The discussion between Professor Tom Porter and AfricaNow!’s Co-Host and Executive Producer James Pope explores the rhythms of movement, the manifestations of the global Black Freedom Struggle, the impact of Black classical music in the struggle, programs of freedom, conceptualization of human rights which were/is directly related to the temporal conditions produced from various forms of colonialism, slavery, Apartheid, Jim Crow, etc., institution building, Black radical thought and Black internationalism.

Professor Porter is the embodiment of the concept organizer-intellectual; a former member of CORE (the Congress of Racial Equality) ... SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) … head of the King Center in Atlanta … former strategist and adviser to Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign … former Director of Black Studies [Ohio University] … Dean at Antioch Graduate Center in Washington DC ... program director and longtime radio host, jazz critic, sociopolitical theorist [specifically Black radical thought] ... author and organizer. Professor Porter can be firmly placed in the tradition of Black organic intellectuals and political philosophers.

This conversation was a collaboration between Africa World Now Project and WSSU's Office of International Programs, a contribution of People of African Descent to global society, justice, freedom.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“AFRICA” BY THE JOHN COLTRANE QUARTET commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; break--“THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED” BY GIL SCOTT-HERON (April 1, 1949–May 27, 2011) remembering his birthday; sign-off--“PATIENCE” BY HUGH MASEKELA (April 4, 1939–January 23, 2018) remembering his birthday and commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; closing--“GOD BLESS THE CHILD” BY BILLIE HOLIDAY (April 7, 1915–July 17, 1959) remembering her birthday and commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Apr. 2, 2025 The Rhythms of Black Freedom--Africa and Black Internationalism

AfricaNow! April 9, 2025 Poetry’s Tradition in Action in Challenging Times

Topic and Guests: April is National Poetry Month.  Thus today the show features a conversation with Zein El-Amine who as you might know is the Host and Producer of Shay wa Nana–which airs here on WPFW after AfricaNow! on Wednesdays at 2PM.  Zeine El-Amine is a poet, spoken word artist, writer and Adjunct Professor at American University.  The conversation reflects on the role and tradition of a poet or spoken word artist in speaking truth to power, Zein El-Amine’s influences and more.  

We continue commemorating National Poetry Month with poetry from our archives.  The show features literary activist, short story writer and poet Kadija Sesay a.k.a Kadija George with the poem "THE REALITY OF THE ATLAS."  (The Reality of The Atlas by Kadija Sesay on AfricaNow! Apr. 10, 2013)  Also on today's AfricaNow! is the poetry from poet, writer, songwriter, educator and actress Anna Mwalagho. The poem is “DON’T GIVE UP.”

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“MARRAKECH BLUES” BY RANDY WESTON (April 6, 1926–September 1, 2018) remembering his birthday April 6 and commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; break--“MAIDEN VOYAGE” BY HERBIE HANCOCK (April 12, 1940–) remembering his birthday April 12 and commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month Herbie Hancock; intro Kadija Sesay poem--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; background to Kadija Sesay poem & intro Anna Mwalagho poem--“AFRICANO” BY EARTH, WIND & FIRE the song appeared on the album “THAT’S THE WAY OF WORLD” by Earth, Wind & Fire released on March 3, 1975,  50 years ago; sign-off--“AFRICAN PEOPLE” BY CHRISTINE KAMAU commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; closing--“KANA SON” BY AMADOU & MIRIAM–remembering Amadou Bagayoko (October 24, 1954–April 4, 2025) who joined the ancestors on April 4, 2025.  He was part of the musical duo Amadou & Mariam. Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia were also a married couple.  May Amadou Bagayoko rest in peace and power.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Apr. 9, 2025 Poetry’s Tradition in Action in Challenging Times

AfricaNow! April 16, 2025 War in Sudan Two Years On

Topic and Guest: April 15 marks two years since war broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo a.k.a. Hemedti. Recent figures indicate over 12 million people have been displaced—internally and externally as refugees abroad; over 20 million people (about half of the population) face acute food insecurity.  The show feature yesterday's (April 15, 2025) conversation on the situation in Sudan with Sarah Seddon in Cairo.   Sarah Seddon is a member of the Sudan Solidarity Collective.  The conversation dissects internal and external players; the role of multinational corporations; the role of the Resistance Committees;the humanitarian crisis; the role of the Emergency Response Rooms in addressing the needs of the people; the solidarity efforts with Sudanese from abroad and more. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“JABANA” BY NOORI & HIS DORPA BAND; break--“BLUE NILE” BY ALICE COLTRANE commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; sign-off--“AL AMAL” BY NOORI & HIS DORPA BAND; closing--“FURAHA” BY NAIROBI HORNS PROJECT commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW at WPFW 48th Anniversary Celebration on April 25, 2025 6:30PM, at Martin's Crosswinds which is located at 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, MD featuring a performance by Navasha Daya and more!  More information at www.wpfwfm.org.  Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: Sudanese Dr. Dimah Mahmoud with signs at Embassy of Sudan by and Drawing of Statement on Sidewalk in front of Embassy of Sudan by Dimah Mahmoud in front Sudan Embassy in Washington, DC in June 2023 photo by AfricaNow!'s Mwiza Munthali.
#KeepEyesOnSudan photos on the U.S. National Mall April 15, 2025 by Kate Hixon.
Speak Up Silence Kills, Save Sudan Banner April 15, 2024 photo by Advocacy Network for Africa (AdNA).

AfricaNow! Apr. 16, 2025 War in Sudan Two Years On

AfricaNow! April 23, 2025 Plight of Chagossians--Update of the Mauritius-UK Agreement

Topic and Guests: David Vine contextualizes and provides updates of the Mauritius-UK agreement made in October 2024 and what it means for Chagossians who were forcibly removed from their Indian Ocean homeland of Chagos Islands by the U.K. to clear the area for a U.S. military base on Diego Garcia Island.  In early October 2024, the UK announced that it had come to an agreement with Mauritius and that the UK would hand back Chagos Islands to Mauritius.  But under the agreement the UK maintains control of Diego Garcia.  Also, the agreement is subject to a treaty by the parties involved.  David Vine is a writer, and political anthropologist and former professor of anthropology at American University.  David Vine is the author of the book Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia.

We commemorate Earth Day (April 22) and continue to commemorate National Poetry Month with a poem from our archives entitled “PRIVITIZING LIFE” by Omékongo Dibinga.  Dr. Omékongo Dibinga--motivational speaker, trilingual poet, TV talk show host, rapper, and professor of cross-cultural communication at American University.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“NABU CORFA” BY DOROTHY ASHBY commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; break & intro to poem--“YOU DON’T SAY” BY MELBA LISTON commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; background of poem “PRIVITIZING LIFE” by Omékongo Dibinga--“WATER NO GET ENEMY” BY FELA KUTI; sign-off--“AFRICAN MOON” BY JONATHAN BUTLER commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; closing--“GALOUPE BOSAN” BY CHAGOS TAMBOUR GROUP.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW at WPFW 48th Anniversary Celebration on April 25, 2025 6:30PM, at Martin's Crosswinds which is located at 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, MD featuring a performance by Navasha Daya and more!  More information at www.wpfwfm.org.  Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: courtesy of Chagos Refugees Group; book cover of Island of Shame by David Vine--The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia; and book cover of The Last Colony by Philippe Sands.

AfricaNow! Apr. 23, 2025 Plight of Chagossians--Update of the Mauritius-UK Agreement

AfricaNow! April 30, 2025 On Fanon with Lou Turner

Topic and Guest: This year on July 20 Frantz Fanon would have turned 100 years old.  As we commemorate 100 years of Frantz Fanon (July 20, 1925-December 6, 1961) the discussion with Professor Lou Turner dissects the revolutionary, anti-colonial theorist's ideas in the context of this present socio-political climate.  The conversation with AfricaNow!’s Executive Producer and Co-Host James Pope and Lou Turner touches on the possibilities of activists at this particular moment putting into practise Fanon’s revolutionary ideas.  The discussion also explores continuities in Fanon’s ideas in movements such as the Black Power Movement in the U.S., the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa and more.

Lou Turner who has written extensively on Frantz Fanon is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois (UIUC), and former Academic Advisor and Curriculum Coordinator, Department of African American Studies at the University of Illinois (2008-2017). Professor Lou Turner is co-author with John Allan of Frantz Fanon, Soweto and American Black Thought (1978; 1986).  Lou Turner is co-author and contributor with Professor and Counseling Psychologist Helen Neville to a collection of writings for Routledge Press on Fanonian psychotherapeutic practices entitled, Frantz Fanon’s Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Clinical Work: Practicing Internationally with Marginalized Communities (2020).  Lou Turner is also co-author of an Introduction to Critical Black Studies textbook with Professor Sundiata Cha-Jua. 

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“ALL AFRICA” BY MAX ROACH commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month & International Jazz Day April 30.; break--“FLEURETTE AFRICAINE (AFRICAN FLOWER)” BY DUKE ELLINGTON (April 29, 1899–May 24, 1974) remembering Duke Ellington’s birthday and commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month; sign-off--“CHUCHO STEPS” BY CHUCHO VALDÉS & KENNY GARRETT commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month & International Jazz Day April 30; closing--“ABYSSINIA” BY THANDI NTULI commemorating Jazz Appreciation Month & International Jazz Day April 30.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive May 3-19, 2025.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Apr. 30, 2025 On Fanon with Lou Turner

AfricaNow! May 7, 2025 Mineworkers in South Africa--Update of The Stilfontein Story

Topic and Guest: In the spirit of WPFW's mission of being a site of resistance in defense of Truth, Justice and Culture, and as we commemorate International Workers' Day (May 1--May Day or Labor Day) AfricaNow! features Mineworkers in South Africa--Update of The Stilfontein Story with Christopher Rutledge of the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) and he is also a member of the Stilfontein Solidarity Committee.  Christopher Rutledge provides an update on the situation of the mineworkers who were in a standoff with the police for months while they were underground operating in an abandoned/closed mine Stilfontein (in North West Province in South Africa).  Earlier this year most of the miners were rescued but unfortunately there were also a number of the miners found dead in the mine.  The discussion also highlights South Africa’s mining history and its adverse effect on communities from colonial rule to apartheid to the current period; the role of corporations; trade unions in the mining industry and more.  Here is my conversation yesterday with activist Christopher Rutledge.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“CONTUSION” BY STEVIE WONDER commemorating his birthday May 13 (May 13, 1950–); closing--“STIMELA (THE COAL TRAIN) (LIVE)” BY HUGH MASEKELA.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive on May 7 & 14, 2025.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: Courtesy of the Stilfontein Solidarity Committee.

AfricaNow! May 7, 2025 Mineworkers in South Africa--Update of The Stilfontein Story

AfricaNow! May 14, 2025 Media’s New and Old Challenges Dissected

Topic and Guest: In the spirit of WPFW's mission of being a site of resistance in defense of Truth, Justice and Culture, and as we commemorate World Press Freedom Day (May 3) AfricaNow! dissects the media's  new and old challenges.  Since 1994 May 3 has been commemorated yearly as World Press Freedom Day, following the proclamation by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 that every May 3 would be World Press Freedom Day. May 3 is the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek of May 3, 1991, where (in Windhoek, Namibia) African journalist put together principles for an independent, pluralistic press reaffirming that freedom of information is a fundamental human right. This year the theme is Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media. The show features recent conversations with Estacio Valoi, an investigative journalist based in Mozambique and is with the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ), and Abderrahim Foukara, Washington Bureau Chief of Al Jazeera.  The conversations with the journalists focus on issues concerning the media: the challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI), attacks and killings of journalists, political interference,  disseminating accurate information, professionalism and more.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“WINDS OF CHANGE” BY JIMMY DLUDLU; closing--“MALCOLM’S THEME” BY KAMASI WASHINGTON as we commemorate Malcolm X’s 100th birthday on May 19 (May 19, 1925–February 21, 1965).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive on May 7 & 14, 2025.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! May 14, 2025 Media’s New and Old Challenges Dissected

AfricaNow! May 21, 2025 Dismantling The Master’s Clock

Topic and Guest: Today AfricaNow! features a discussion on race, colonial time with artist, community activist and lawyer Rasheedah Phillips of Black Quantum Futurism. Among many things, conversation between AfricaNow!’s Executive Producer and Co-Host James Pope and Rasheedah Phillips explores how space and time are intertwined in African peoples worldwide; what tools to use to actualize theories and more.  Rasheedah Phillips is the founder of The AfroFuturist Affair, founding member of Metropolarity Queer Speculative Fiction Collective, co-founder of Black Quantum Futurism, co-creator of the  Community Futures Lab, and creator of the Black Women Temporal Portal, Time Zone Protocols, and Black Time Belt projects.  Rasheedah Phillips’ books include: Dismantling the Master's Clock: On Race, Space, and Time  (2025, AK Press); The Telescoping Effect  (2017, self-published); and Recurrence Plot and Other Time Travel Tales (2014, self-Published).  Rasheedah Phillips currently serves as Director of Housing Futures and Land Justice at PolicyLink.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“BLUES FOR MALCOLM” BY TERENCE BLANCHARD as we commemorate Malcolm X’s 100th birthday on May 19 (May 19, 1925–February 21, 1965); break--“BRIDGE THROUGH TIME” BY LONNIE LISTON SMITH; sign-off--“THE MESSAGE CONTINUES” BY NUBYA GARCIA; closing--“MALCOLM X” BY MIRIAM MAKEBA as we commemorate Malcolm X’s 100th birthday on May 19 (May 19, 1925–February 21, 1965).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: book cover of Dismantling the Master's Clock: On Race, Space, and Time (2025, AK Press)


AfricaNow! May 21, 2025 Dismantling The Master’s Clock

AfricaNow! Special May 19, 2025 Malcolm's Influence in Africa, Africa's Influence on Malcolm

Topic and Guests: In the spirit of WPFW's mission of being a site of resistance in defense of Truth, Justice and Culture, and of WPFW’s  day-long event Black Shining Prince: Malcolm X at 100 celebrating Malcolm X’s centennial birthday today, AfricaNow!’s special edition we focus on “Malcolm’s Influence in Africa, Africa’s Influence on Malcolm” with a discussion with the Kenya Organic Intellectuals.  AfricaNow!’s Executive Producer and Co-Host James Pope recently talked to members of the Kenya Organic Intellectuals–Gacheke Gachihi,  Mzalendo Wanjira Wanjiru, Maureen (Mo) Kasuku.

Gacheke Gachihi is the Coordinator of Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) and a member of the Social Justice Centres Working Group Steering Committee in Nairobi, Kenya. Coordinator of Kenya Organic Intellectuals Network. He is also involved in regional social movements and politics. He researches and writes about police violence, criminalization of the poor, social justice and social struggles, amongst others. His articles and video interviews are published for example by Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE), roape.net, Africa Is a Country (AIAC), Daraja Press, Verso Books, and others.  Mzalendo Wanjira Wanjiru is co-founder of Mathare Social Justice Center and a member of the social justice movement.  Maureen (Mo) Kasuku is a feminist organiser and digital rights advocate based in Kenya. Her work is a dynamic exploration of the crossroads between feminism and technology. With a keen eye on the intricate interplay of gender equality, social justice, and technological advancement in grassroots communities. She is member of Ukombozi Library, Nairobi, Kenya. And Cadre with Revolutionary Socialist League

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: closing--“MALCOLM X” BY INNA DE YARD as we commemorate Malcolm X’s 100th birthday on May 19 (May 19, 1925–February 21, 1965).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

AfricaNow! Special May 19, 2025 Malcolm's Influence in Africa, Africa's Influence on Malcolm

AfricaNow! May 28, 2025 African Liberation Day Commemorated

Topic and Guests: Today AfricaNow! goes into its archive to commemorate African Liberation Day which was two days ago on Sunday May 25.  At this critical time for the African World and also this year being the year in which commemorate the centenarian birthdays of  freedom fighters Malcolm X, Patrice Lumumba, and Frantz Fanon AfricaNow! will continue to reflect on Pan-Africanism and liberation with a series of programs.  Thus the past few weeks there has been a reflection on Fanon and as part of WPFW’s special Malcolm X’s 100 birthday commemoration last week we featured a show with the Kenya Organic Intellectuals Network focusing on Malcolm X’s impact on their work and Africa’s impact on Malcolm X.   The series with the Kenya Organic Intellectuals Network will also feature discussions on Frantz Fanon and Patrice Lumumba.

As mentioned before May 25, is marked yearly as African Liberation Day.  AfricaNow! goes into its archive to commemorate this special occasion with speeches by activists of the Pan-African and African liberation movements. The speeches occurred during two days of various activities in May 1974—May 24 and May 25—in Washington, DC to commemorate African Liberation Day. The program of the two-day session included: panel discussions at Howard University; marches and demonstrations including one to the White House; and a festival at Malcolm X Park.  The organizer of the event was the African Liberation Support Committee (ALSC), and the aim of the program was to express solidarity of the liberation struggle of the African people on the continent and globally. Today we feature portions of speeches during the activities. First, we begin with Poet and Activist and an At-Large member of the African Liberation Day Support Committee Imamu Amiri Baraka; he is followed by Saladin Muhammad, of the African Peoples Party.  That speech will be followed by a portion of a speech by Kwame Ture of the All-African People's Revolutionary Party during a panel discussion. 

The full two-day session to commemorate African Liberation Day in May 1974 organized by the African Liberation Support Committee (ALSC) is available in Howard University’s Digital Howard website at www.dh.howard.edu/iah_alc74/.  The material was made possible through a generous donation and support of long-time activist Dr. Abdul Alkalimat of the African Liberation Support Committee whom we have featured on our show. This footage was filmed for the Howard University Institute for the Arts and Humanities by Mr. Harold Burke who joined the ancestors on October 26, 2021.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“AFRICA UNITE” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS; break--“THE KINGDOM OF DISCIPLINE” BY SUN RA (May 22, 1914–May 30, 1993) remembering Sun Ra’s birthday May 22; sign-off--“BRAZILICA” BY RAMSEY LEWIS (May 27, 1935–September 12, 2022) remembering Ramsey Lewis’ birthday May 27; closing--“NOT YET UHURU” BY LETTA MBULU.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: African Liberation Day (ALD) Celeb. in WDC May 27, 1972; flyer Victory for the People of Southern Africa ALD March to White House May 28, 1977; book cover Dialectics of Liberation--The African Liberation Support Movement by Abdul Alkalimat

AfricaNow! May 28, 2025 African Liberation Day Commemorated

AfricaNow! June 4, 2025 Worker Power, and The Legacy & Impact of Ngugi wa Thiong’o

Topics and Guests: AfricaNow! features a discussion on workers' power, worker solidarity, organizing workers and more in the southern U.S. with Ben Carroll, Organizing Coordinator of the Southern Workers Assembly (SWA).  The Southern Workers Assembly is a network of local unions, worker organizations, and organizing committees, committed to building rank-and-file democratic social movement unionism as a foundation for organizing, uniting and transforming labor power throughout the South.
 
Now Africa Now! remembers renowned novelist, essayist, playwright, journalist, editor, academic and social activist Dr. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o who joined the ancestors last week on May 28, 2025.  He was 87 years old.  Longtime human rights activist and lawyer Maina Kiai reflects on the legacy and impact of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.  From AfricaNow!'s archives  (AfricaNow! December 28, 2016 Self-Naming As Resistance) the show features a recording we produced of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o at the December 2016 African Studies Association Conference  discussing the politics of memory and the effects of name imposition on the psyche of colonized people.  Maina Kiai, is the former Director, Alliances and Partnership Program at Human Rights Watch, former UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur. He is also founder of the Kenya Human Rights Commission NGO and founding Chair of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“WORK SONG” BY CANNONBALL ADDERLEY; break--“THINK” BY CURTIS MAYFIELD (June 3, 1942–December 26, 1999) remembering Curtis Mayfield’s birthday June 3; sign-off--“TEACHER DON’T TEACH ME NONSENSE” BY FELA KUTI; closing--“HARAMBE” BY RITA MARLEY commemorating Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photos: Flyer of Southern Workers Assembly Action Summit June 13-15, 2025; book covers of Ngugi wa Thiong'o books A GRAIN OF WHEAT, THE TRAIL DEDAN KIMATHI and DECOLONISING THE MIND; photo of Ngugi wa Thiong'o.

AfricaNow! Jun. 4, 2025 Worker Power, and The Legacy & Impact of Ngugi wa Thiong'o

AfricaNow! June 11, 2025 Black Washington, Jazz & Resistance

Topic and Guest: June is Black Music Month or African American Music Month.  Thus today AfricaNow! presents a conversation with Dr. Maurice Jackson about the history and power of music in Washington, DC and its utility in resistance.  The conversation between historian Dr. Jackson and Dr. Josh Myers of AfricaNow! and Africa World Now Project collective centers on the book Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight For Equality by Dr. Maurice Jackson.  This discussion was also featured in CapitolBop.  The discussion interweaves the musical and socio-political history of Washington with names such as Marian Anderson, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and the Turkish Ertegun brothers, as well as the role that teachers such as John Malachi and Calvin Jones played in training the talent that continues to shape D.C.’s music.

Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience publisher’s description notes that “In the Nation's Capital, music and sports have played a central role in the lives of African Americans, often serving as a barometer of social conflict and social progress—for sports clubs and ball games, jam sessions and concerts, offered entertainment, enlightenment, and encouragement. At times, they have also offered a means of escape from the harsh realities of everyday life. (https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Rhythms-of-Resistance-and-Resilience)  

Dr. Maurice Jackson teaches Atlantic World and African American History at Georgetown University. Professor Jackson is author of Let This Voice Be Heard, and coeditor of African Americans and the Haitian Revolution and DC Jazz (Georgetown University Press, 2018). He was the inaugural chair of the Washington, DC, Commission on African American Affairs, appointed by the mayor.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“FREEDOM SOUNDS” BY THE SKATALITES; music during first half of interview--"SUMMERTIME" BY SHIRLEY HORN, "GOD BLESS THE CHILD" BY BILLIE HOLIDAY, "WEST END BLUES" BY LOUIS ARMSTRONG, "FLUERETTE AFRICAINE (AFRICAN FLOWER)" BY DUKE ELLINGTON and "MERCY MERCY ME (THE ECOLOGY SONG)" BY MARVIN GAYE; break--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE; sign-off--“JARABI” BY SONA JOBARTEH; closing--“STAND!” BY SLY & THE FAMILY STONE remembering Sly Stone (March 15, 1943–June 9, 2025) who joined the ancestors a couple of days ago on June 9.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo: Book cover of Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight For Equality from https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Rhythms-of-Resistance-and-Resilience

AfricaNow! Jun. 11, 2025 Black Washington, Jazz & Resistance

AfricaNow! June 18, 2025 African Liberation Music

Topic and Guest: Forty-nine years ago on June 16, 1976 in Soweto in Johannesburg South Africa youth rose up against the apartheid education system.  Many students were injured and killed by apartheid South Africa police force.  The Soweto Uprising was an important catalyst in galvanizing the world against the brutal apartheid government.  In that context today AfricaNow! goes into its archives with a show that looked at the role of music in African liberation.  The show originally aired on June 16, 2010.  The guest on the show was Kofi Kissi Dompere.  Dr. Kofi Kissi Dompere is a professor emeritus of economics at Howard University and is no stranger to WPFW listeners as he is the longtime Host and Producer of African Rhythms and Extensions from Midnight on Saturday to 2AM Sunday.  He has authored several scientific and scholarly works in economics, philosophy, decision theory, and fuzzy mathematics.  He is the winner of 2006 Cheikh Anta Diop Award for excellence in scholarship.  He has a number of published monographs and has written extensively.  Dr. Kofi Kissi Dompere is a resource person for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and an economic consultant in the areas of cost-benefit analysis, national income accounts, development, and macroeconomics. Professor Dompere is the founder of The Research Institute of Information Decision and Economic Sciences (RIIDES) in which he serves as a distinguished research professor.  

The show includes the first president of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah in January 1961 talking about the killing/assassination of Patrice Lumumba.

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“OVERTURE TO SARAFINA!” ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING commemorating Soweto Day–June 16; break--“FIRE IN SOWETO” BY SONY OKOSUN; sign-off--“COLONIAL MENTALITY” BY FELA KUTI; closing--“A LUTA CONTINUA” BY MIRIAM MAKEBA.

OTHER MUSIC DURING THE DISCUSSION: “BIRTH OF GHANA” BY LORD KITCHENER; “INDEPENDANCE CHA CHA” BY AFRICAN JAZZ; two versions “NKOSI SIKELEL’ IAFRIKA” BY SOWETO COMMUNITY HALL and FROM CONGO; “REDEMPTION SONG” BY BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS; “WIND OF CHANGE (REDEMPTION SONG PART 2)” BY SONY OKOSUN.

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).

Photo: "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" ('Lord Bless Africa')--https://aaregistry.org/story/nkosi-sikelel-iafrika-lord-bless-africa-is-composed/

AfricaNow! Jun. 18, 2025 African Liberation Music

AfricaNow! January 10, 2018 Black Critique

Summary—Topic and Guest: An exploration of the current state and future of Black Critique with Dean Corey Walker.  Dr. Corey Walker is currently Vice President and Dean of the Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology as well as Professor of Religion and Society at Virginia Union University.

This program is intent to push the boundaries of Black thought as Black Critique. What does that mean? Contextualization is an art, an art that I find an affinity with and seek to perfect. Not for a personal gratification, but to discover and map a “rhythm” ---much like John Coltrane or an African shaman---that can serve as a spark of our critical consciousness.

Black critique is a process of organic and evolutionary resistance to complicity, racial capitalism, colonialism/neocolonialism, imperialism, neo imperialism sexism, racism, as well as any and all forms of discrimination/marginalization against people historically and contemporarily marginalized, centering the African world experience, and mapping outward.



Today, we intend to start a critical conversation that moves beyond the aesthetic of critique...

What follows is an exploration of the current state and future of Black Critique with Dean Corey Walker.

Dr. Corey Walker is currently Vice President and Dean of the Samuel Dewitt Procter School of Theology as well as Professor of Religion and Society at Virginia Union University.

Dean Walker is the author of A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America (University of Illinois Press) and has completed the manuscript for his next book entitled Between Transcendence and History: An Essay on Religion and the Future of Democracy in America. He is editor of the special issue of the journal Political Theology on “Theology and Democratic Futures” and Associate Editor of the award-winning SAGE Encyclopedia of Identity. He has published over fifty articles, reviews, book chapters, and essays appearing in wide range journals such as the C.L.R. James Review, Journal of American History, Journal of the American Academy of Religion, and South Atlantic Quarterly.

Recently, Dean Walker was named to the Task Force for the Identification of the History of Formerly Enslaved African Americans in Virginia

Our show was produced today in solidarity with the native, indigenous, and Afro-descended communities at Standing Rock; Venezuela; Cooperation Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi; Brazil; the Avalon Village in Detroit; Colombia; Kenya; Palestine; South Africa; and Ghana; and other places who are fighting for the protection of our land for the benefit of all people.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC.  Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).

AfricaNow! Jan. 10, 2018 Black Critique

AfricaNow! August 22, 2018 Gerald Horne on Slavery, White Supremacy, Capitalism, Afro-Asian Solidarity, Pan African News and More

Summary—Topics and Guest: Gerald Horne on Slavery, White Supremacy, Capitalism, Afro-Asian Solidarity, Pan African News and More--Today on AfricaNow! Dr. Gerald Horne discussing slavery, white supremacy, capitalism, Afro-Asian solidarity, Pan African news and more.   

Topics and Guest: Today on AfricaNow! Dr. Gerald Horne discussing slavery, white supremacy, capitalism, Afro-Asian solidarity, Pan African news and more.  In the program features a discussion at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe in April by Dr. Horne presenting his latest books: Facing the Rising Sun: African Americans, Japan and the Rise of Afro-Asian Solidarity; The Rise and Fall of the Associated Negro Press: Claude Barnett's Pan African News and the Jim Crow Paradox; Storming the Heavens: African Americans and the Early Fight for the Right to Fly; and The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism: The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy and Capitalism in North America and the Caribbean in the 17th Century.  Renowned historian and author Gerald Horne is the Moores Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston.    

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC.  Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).

AFRICANOW! AUG. 22, 2018 G. HORNE SLAVERY, WHITE SUPREMACY, AFRO-ASIAN SOLIDARITY, PAN AFRICAN NEWS

AfricaNow! February 13, 2019 Theorizing Fanon: Latin America and the Pitfalls of National Consciousness  

Summary—Topic and Guest: Theorizing Fanon: Latin America and the Pitfalls of National Consciousness--The pitfalls of national consciousness is one of the many important theoretical contributions from Frantz Fanon.  With the current discourse around limited notions of nationalism and the so-called rise of an global ultra-nationalist right, the show is designed to offer streams of thought that invoke critique and inform paths of study toward solutions.  The conversation with James Early attempts to offer perspective by focusing specifically on the sociopolitical and cultural conditions in Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba.  Mr. Early is former Director of Cultural Studies and Communication at the Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies at the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC; and he currently serves on the Board of the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and is a consultant on various issues related to human rights, labor, land, state craft.

Topic and Guest: “History teaches us clearly that the battle against colonialism does not run straight away along the lines of nationalism. For a very long time the native devotes his energies to ending certain definite abuses: forced labour, corporal punishment, inequality of salaries, limitation of political rights, etc. This fight for democracy against the oppression of mankind will slowly leave the confusion of neo-liberal universalism to emerge, sometimes laboriously, as a claim to nationhood. It so happens that the unpreparedness of the educated classes, the lack of practical links between them and the mass of the people, their laziness, and, let it be said, their cowardice at the decisive moment of the struggle will give rise to tragic mishaps.

“National consciousness, instead of being the all-embracing crystallization of the innermost hopes of the whole people, instead of being the immediate and most obvious result of the mobilization of the people, will be in any case only an empty shell, a crude and fragile travesty of what it might have been.”) Frantz Fanon’s, The Pitfalls of National Consciousness in The Wretched of Earth.)

The pitfalls of national consciousness is one of the many important theoretical contributions from Frantz Fanon. 

With the current discourse around limited notions of nationalism and the so-called rise of an global ultra-nationalist right…Today’s program is an intentional disruption in this milieu.  Today’s conversation attempts to offer perspective by focusing specifically on the sociopolitical and cultural conditions in Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba.

James Early is former Director of Cultural Studies and Communication at the Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies at the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, DC.  Mr. Early has served in various positions at the Smithsonian Institution, including Assistant Provost for Educational and Cultural Programs, Assistant Secretary for Education and Public Service, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Service, and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public Service.

Prior to his work with the Smithsonian, Mr. Early was a humanist administrator at the National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, D.C., a producer, writer, and host of "Ten Minutes Left," a weekly radio segment of cultural, educational and political interviews and commentary at WHUR-FM radio at Howard University, and a research associate for programs and documentation.  He currently serves on the Board of the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and is a consultant on various issues related to human rights, labor, land, state craft.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC.  Tune into Africa Now! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).

AfricaNow! Feb. 13, 2019 Theorizing Fanon Latin America And The Pitfalls Of National Consciousness

JOIN US — AUGUST 9TH TO 11TH — AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S MARVIN CENTER AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK LIFE ON THE BIG SCREEN WITH THE AFRICAN DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. 

DISCOVER 16 AWARD WINNING FILMS — INCLUDING FICTION AND DOCUMENTARIES – WITH THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL INCLUDING 12 US AND DC PREMIERES.

ENJOY REVIVAL SCREENINGS OF QUILOMBO and FALLEN ANGELS PARADISE…DISCOVER HISTORICAL DOCS ABOUT MOHAMMED ALI, DANNY GLOVER and THE BLACK MOZART IN CUBA! –

WITH TALK BACKS AND VIP RECEPTIONS…THE AFRICAN DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL  AUGUST 9 TO 11 AT THE GWU MARVIN CENTER, - 800 21ST STREET NW.

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE AVAILABLE @  NYADIFF.ORG OR CALL (212) 864-1760.

AFRICAN DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL…WHERE BLACK LIFE MATTERS!

For tickets, schedule and more information visit: https://nyadiff.org/dc-2019/

DC African Diaspora International Film Festival Aug 9-11 2019

AfricaNow! July 22, 2020 Contextualizing the Crisis in Ethiopia

Summary--Topic and Guest: Contextualizing the Crisis in Ethiopia following the killing of popular Oromo musician and activist Hachalu Hundessa on June 29.  Ms. Ayantu Ayana, doctoral student and a member of the Oromo Advocacy Alliance contextualizes the current crisis in Ethiopia—addressing the underlying historical issues that manifest themselves today in the country.

Topic and Guest: The killing of popular Oromo musician and activist Hachalu Hundessa on June 29 has led to protests in Ethiopia.  According to some reports ensuing clashes which followed the protests led to over 170 deaths.  Hachalu Hundessa was seen by many as articulating in song the aspirations, the marginalization circumstance of the Oromo people of Ethiopia—particularly the youth.  Observers have noted that the government has compounded the crisis with the arrests of over 2,000 people including journalists and key political figures, and the clampdown of the internet.   Recently UN experts of the Special Rapporteurs of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council called “on Ethiopian authorities to respect the right to peaceful assembly, and to refrain from using force during future protests.”  They also welcomed the partial restoration of the internet.  (UN experts call on Ethiopia to allow peaceful protests, welcome partial restoration of Internet, United Nations Human Rights Office of the Commissioner News, July 21, 2020 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26115&LangID=E#:~:text=UN%20experts%20call%20on%20Ethiopia,welcome%20partial%20restoration%20of%20Internet&text=GENEVA%20(21%20July%202020)%20%E2%80%93,of%20people%20to%20demonstrate%20peacefully.)

A July 18 Amnesty International Statement says that “The killing of Hachalu Hundessa, a popular outspoken Oromo singer, sparked protests, some of which degenerated into inter-communal violence, which together with a police crackdown left at least 177 dead and hundreds wounded.  In Addis Ababa and Oromia region, the police arrested at least 5,000 people, many of whom are in incommunicado detention with their whereabouts unknown. …” (Ethiopia: Account for all people arrested after Hachalu Hundessa’s killing, Amnesty International, July 18, 2020   https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/07/ethiopia-account-for-all-people-arrested-after-hachalu-hundesa-killing/)

Ms. Ayantu Ayana, doctoral student and a member of the Oromo Advocacy Alliance contextualizes the current crisis in Ethiopia—addressing historical issues that manifest themselves today in the country.  

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC.  Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).

(Photo by Tiksa Negeri)

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