the Goodness
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Devin Mays of Rebuild Foundation on the lasting legacy of black media giant Johnson Publishing
Reclaimed Soul host Ayana Contreras in conversation with Devin Mays of Rebuild Foundation about the legacy of Ebony Magazine, Jet Magazine, & Fashion Fair Cosmetics, as well as A Johnson Publishing Story (an exhibit at Stony Island Arts Bank). For more the legacy of Ebony Magazine (and its parent company, Johnson Publishing Company), click here.…
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Reclaimed Soul: Cuba / Chicago Connections
Okra made the Trans-Atlantic journey on slave ships alongside human cargo. The fact that the fuzzy green seed-laden vegetable is eaten by black folk in the United States is a miracle. A vegetable umbilical cord. But to see okra in Cuba was a metaphor for a very particular shared narrative. One of survival. One of…
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Maggie Brown on Oscar Brown, Jr. and The Opportunity Please Knock Chorus
Reclaimed Soul’s Ayana Contreras spoke with Jazz vocalist Maggie Brown, daughter of Oscar Brown, Jr. Maggie is passionate about preserving the legacy of her father’s community-engaged artistry. The Opportunity Please Knock Chorus (a creative collaboration between singer/writer/playwright Oscar Brown Jr. and the notorious Blackstone Rangers street gang) premiered 50 years ago. Mr. Brown stated in…
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Blind Man: Little Milton’s hooked and he can’t let her go.
This is Little Milton. He’s hooked and he can’t let her go. Of this, I am wholly convinced.
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Have you tuned into Reclaimed Soul lately? Newcity apparently has…..
“…Ayana Contreras’ “Reclaimed Soul”… better than anything else on radio in the city…” —Newcity “Aw, Shucks…” –Ayana Contreras Media activism is exactly the right phrase for what we aim to do. Jive on.
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Reggie Torian of The Impressions gives his impressions of Curtom, Curtis Mayfield, and more.
In this installment of Reclaimed Soul (sort of the radio version of this blog), check out host Ayana Contreras’ interview with Reggie Torian of The Impressions (that’s him sitting on the bumper of that antique Rolls Royce). He’s been a part of Chicago’s own Impressions (“Keep on Pushin”, “Gypsy Woman”, etc.) for 40 years. And…
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Ready. Set. Spin: DJ Ayana out and about.
Here in Chicago, summer is wrapping up. But, before it ends, come to one of the FREE-fifty events I’ll be spinning at (many of which are outside). Click here for more info….
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The Early Editions: Swinging Soul and Afro-Pop from the Windy City.
“People Try” b/w “What is Wrong With Grovin’” is a hip little record from about 1968 by the Early Editions. It’s a Chicago record, crafted by James Mack on the Aries label, but not much else is known about the group itself. My best educated guess is that the group consisted of a lounge act…
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Growing Home: reclaiming the earth beneath the concrete.
I’m itching for spring. Here in Chicago, the weather has been mercifully mild… Visions of a vegetable and herb garden in my backyard dance in my head. I am swooning over Kale and Basil! But dreams of building up my South Side neighborhood (through green jobs, better food, and economic empowerment) dance, too. I’m a…
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