The Empowerment Zone

The Extraordinary Impact of Artists

Christian McBride: How artists influence people and society through their music and actions — 
From James Brown to Winton Marsalis, artists have an incredible amount of influence, impacting all aspects of society and people, including today’s guest Christian McBride. Listen to Ramona’s conversation as Christian talks about the music and the artists who have impacted his life and his development as a musician. According to Christian, example is of utmost importance, because it is your example that creates change; for people follow examples. Christian McBride is an eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In addition to artistic directing and consistent touring with his ensembles, he hosts NPR's “Jazz Night in America” and "The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian" on SiriusXM. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christian now lives in New Jersey.
For more information about Christian McBride, visit https://www.christianmcbride.com.

Trailer! Christian McBride: How artists influence people and society through their music and actions

Next episode available from Monday, December 12th with guest Christian McBride
The Extraordinary Impact of Artists
 

How do you grow a business?

Peter Martin: Get a few real customers and learn from them — 
Peter Martin is Ramona’s inspiration for starting her podcast (https://ramonahouston.com/podcast/how-do-you-start-a-podcast/), and today she talks to him about his entrepreneurial journey. Growing from the free “Two Minute Jazz” video podcast to “Open Studio,” an online jazz education platform that currently has over 3000 students from 120 countries in the world, Peter shares his advice on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. Peter Martin is an acclaimed jazz pianist, educator, and founder of Open Studio. He was recently featured in the New York Times for his groundbreaking work (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/15/opinion/sunday/learning-jazz-piano-online-internet.html).
Peter is also co-host of the acclaimed music podcast "You'll Hear It" with Adam Maness. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Peter now makes St. Louis, Missouri his home.
To learn more about Peter Martin, Open Studio and his podcast, visit https://www.openstudiojazz.com and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youll-hear-it/id1342674932.

Trailer! Peter Martin: Get a few real customers and learn from them

Next episode available from Monday, December 5th with guest Peter Martin
How do you grow a business?

Take the Leap!

Donna King: Do what makes you happy — 
In today’s episode, Ramona talks to entrepreneur Donna King, Chief Visionary Officer and Head Designer of P. Sherrod & Co., an Atlanta-based leather lifestyle brand founded in 2009. Donna shares her story of how she “took the leap” and persevered through the challenges of entrepreneurship to build her company. If you are temporarily paralyzed by fear, this episode will inspire you. For all others, you may also be inspired to support the brand. The holidays are here and it is time to purchase your gifts for the special ladies in your life, and the place to begin is P. Sherrod and Co. P. Sherrod and Co. offers an amazing collection of fine Colombian leather handbags, accessories and small leather goods. The brand has been featured in FORBES, UPSCALE and ATLANTA magazines. Beginning in the Spring of 2017, the collection became available in major department stores, BELK and Macy’s. Most recently the Fall collection was spotted by a CBS costume designer and has been a staple for some of the major characters on “The Young & the Restless” on CBS. A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, Donna now lives in Atlanta.
To learn more about Donna King and P. Sherrod and Co., visit https://www.psherrod.com.

Trailer! Donna King: Do what makes you happy

Next episode available from Monday, November 28th with guest Donna King
Take the Leap!

Masterclass: The Patrice Gaines Story

Chiquita Lockley and Patrice Gaines: Champions of Restorative Justice — 
It is a fact: the United States has the largest incarceration rate in the world. With a system that disproportionately criminalizes and incarcerates the poor and people of color, criminal justice reform has become one of the key social issues of the day. Listen in as Ramona talks to author and journalist, Patrice Gaines and filmmaker, Chiquita Lockley about their inspirational short film, “Masterclass: The Patrice Gaines Story.” The film peels back the layers of America’s (in)justice system while highlighting the need for a shift to restorative justice. The film is adapted from Ms. Gaines bestselling memoir Laughing in the Dark.
To learn more about Chiquita Lockley, visit http://www.eggsovereasyfilm.com. To learn more about Patrice Gaines, visit https://patricegaines.com/.

Trailer! Chiquita Lockley and Patrice Gaines: Champions of Restorative Justice

Next episode available from Monday, November 21st with guest Chiquita Lockley and Patrice Gaines
“Masterclass: The Patrice Gaines Story”

Christians Against Christianity

Obery Hendricks: Exposing the hypocrisy of right-wing evangelicals — 
The evangelical right has become a powerful force in US politics. Interestingly, many right-wing evangelicals have used the Bible to justify and promote white supremacy and power as well as marginalize and demonize various groups. In this episode Ramona talks to best selling author and Biblical scholar Dr. Obery Hendricks about his newest book Christians Agains Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith. In their discussion Dr. Hendricks uses biblical texts to deconstruct and challenge many beliefs of right-wing evangelicals on key issues of the day such as immigration, homosexuality and abortion, to name a few. Dr. Obery Hendricks is one of the most influential African American biblical scholars in America today. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University in Religion and African American and African Diasporic Studies and Emeritus Professor of Biblical Interpretation at New York Theological Seminary.
For more information about Dr. Obery Hendricks and to purchase his book, visit https://oberyhendricksphd.com/.

Trailer! Obery Hendricks: Exposing the hypocrisy of right-wing evangelicals

Next episode available from Monday, November 14th with guest Dr. Obery Hendricks
"Christians Against Christianity"