Featuring in-depth conversations with local and national voices, Conversations With Enrique Cerna delivers insightful and timely perspectives on race, politics, public safety, education, local and global health challenges, important history and the arts. The conversations are lively, revealing, humorous and moving. Listen, learn and enjoy.

Conversations With Enrique Cerna

Seattle Children’s Theatre Artistic Director Linda Hartzell and Sheri Biller, co-founder of the Les and Sheri Biller Family Foundation talk with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about their efforts to bring the inspiring and emotional play 'Hana’s Suitcase' to Seattle.  It is the true story of Japanese educator Fumiko Ishioka and her determination to uncover the story behind a suitcase with the name of Hana Brady, a victim of the Holocaust. The play is a production of Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre and for the first time it is being performed in Seattle.

Hana's Suitcase

Veteran political analysts Joni Balter and Peter Jackson weigh in on Congressman Jim McDermott’s retirement announcement. Who wants to replace the long-time, liberal Seattle Democrat after his 14 terms representing the 7th Congressional District? Plus, we look at the major statewide races and initiatives as we head into the 2016 election year. 

A Congressman Retires and Election 2016

Fumiko Ishioka is the Executive Director of Tokyo’s Holocaust Education Resource Center. In a conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, she tells the incredible story of how a suitcase that belonged to a young Holocaust victim changed her life.  It would take her on a journey of discovery that would lead to the writing of a widely-read book and acclaimed play titled 'Hana’s Suitcase', performed at Seattle’s Children’s Theatre for the first time. 

Fumiko Ishioka

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray talks about the homelessness crisis with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna. He addresses his state of emergency declaration, the shooting in the Jungle, the citizen anger and frustration over the growing number of homeless in Seattle, and what some perceive as the city’s soft approach towards the homeless. The Mayor also talks about the Seattles Police Department’s progress in meeting reforms set out in the Department of Justice consent decree, race relations and what he thinks the presidential candidates should be talking about, but aren’t.

Mayor Ed Murray

The Black Panther Party was founded 50 years ago in Oakland, Calif.  In Seattle, two young brothers, Aaron and Elmer Dixon, with others, founded the Seattle chapter of the historic organization. In a two-part interview, Elmer Dixon explains what inspired him and his older brother to join the Black Panthers, its efforts to strengthen Seattle’s Black community, their confrontations with law enforcement, the party’s eventual demise and thoughts about today’s Black Lives Matters movement. 

Elmer Dixon

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