Dr. Griffith talks with host, Aubrey Phillips about her roots as a Gotham Avenue Elementary School student and her journey through Elmont Memorial High School, The US Army and more.

Vanessa remembers her high school teacher Michelle Seeley as "the one [high school] interaction that sticks out". It was Mrs Seeley's recommendation for college, her Guyanese roots and an Elmont community that supports education that charted Vanessa's science / medical direction and her continued dedication to service to community and country.

When County Executive Laura Curran collaborated with Newsday's Randi Marshall to rebut the Elmont Community's well established objection to the central issue regarding the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project, they disclosed publicly what they had been planning privately, the gentrification of Elmont.

This podcast replays the comments of two developers as they discuss jobs, gentrification and other unmitigated problems with the development.

Curran's silence on the issue of gentrification is deafening.

The Closing of Nassau Coliseum complicates the jobs rhetoric or worse, lays bare the subtext of an ill conceived plan to "rebuild" and "arrest future blight".  Blight the community know will be the result of deliberate government inaction.   

To complete the online 2020 Census survey go to 2020Census.gov and click on the "Start Questionnaire" button.
This podcast features an in depth conversation with Mimi Pierre Johnson about the census.  She explains who must be counted and why.  She gives examples of real life consequences when the communities are under counted.

What does the Islander development at Belmont Park mean for local residents?  That’s anyone’s’ guess, but if past is prologue it’s safe to say that Elmont taxpayers are looking at another big promise, no return fools’ errand.

This week's podcast monologue asks the question, with liberty and justice for ...?  It sits against the backdrop of social protest.  Protests that draw worldwide attention to the well constructed, neatly organized systemic racial injustices endured by Africans and African Americans at the hands, knees and guns of law enforcement.

The Conversation is the third in a series of conversations with prominent Jazz musicians.  This conversation was recorded earlier and is part two of the a two-part conversation with trombonist,  Clifton Anderson.

Part two of our conversation explores Mr. Anderson's musical journey from Fiorello LaGuardia  High School of Music to present.  We are eagerly anticipation his next release "Been Down This Road Before"  which is part social commentary and undoubtedly his best work to date.

During the podcast you will here short selection from Sonny Rollins' "There'll Never Be Another You" featuring  Sonny Rollins · Henry Grimes · Pete LaRoca.  the podcast closes with a brief clip from Clifton Anderson's "Remember This".  "Remember This" is part of his 2012 release of "And So We Carry On".  

Our Podcast monologue highlights remarks by Alicia Munian.  Ms Munian is an alumna of Elmont Memorial High School.  Her remarks preceded the protest march from Elmont to Valley Stream.  The protest was organized in part by Goldie Harrison, Christine  Rivera and Erik Blamoville (all members of the Elmont Alumni).

The Conversation is the second in a series  of conversations with prominent Jazz musicians.  This conversation was recorded earlier and is part one of the a two-part conversation with trombonist,  Clifton Anderson.

Mr. Anderson explores the hybrid club possibility and expands the conversation by thinking about the experience from both fan and performer.   He also talks about his "first trombone".

Learn more about Clifton Anderson at his website.

This podcast pulls together three elegant Black voices to tell the story of how white supremacy and willful ignorance continue to feed racism in America.  The story begins with a question from American novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and activist James Baldwin.

Eleanora Fagan, more famously know as Billy Holiday was an American jazz singer.  Here her rendition of "Strange Fruit" serves as foundation for the recitation of the names of some of the recent victims of police murders of black men and women in America.

The podcast concludes with the words of Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. as he invites us to shed the tattered vale of inherent goodness and recognize "the ugliness that's in us".

We talk with Community Organizer, Tammie S. Williams.  Tammie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community & Human Services from SUNY Empire State College and a Master of Social Work degree from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.

It is Tammie’s personal mission to continue the work of social activists who came before her, in advocating for children, families and marginalized communities. As a Community Practitioner, she works to bring people together through awareness, education, understanding and acceptance, to further the well-being of individuals and communities. 

Tammie & Aubrey discuss the Belmont Park Redevelopment Project.