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The Blue Record

The Blue Record

By The Blue Record

It's a different world than where you come from! The Blue Record is a podcast created by the students of Spelman College that aims to highlight and discuss issues that affect Black collegiate students and alumni. From gender politics to Black internet spaces, any topic is fair game for TBR to tackle. All are welcome to listen in as we discover how Spelman intersects with the world at large.

Engage with us on Twitter and Instagram @thebluerecord. And subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode!

This podcast is run by the Spelman Social Justice Fellowship Program.
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33 - How Spelman Alumnae Are Stopping Cop City

The Blue RecordApr 14, 2024

00:00
01:11:22
33 - How Spelman Alumnae Are Stopping Cop City

33 - How Spelman Alumnae Are Stopping Cop City

What do you know about Spelman's history of activism? Probably less than you should. Simple freedoms like being able to wear jeans on campus, pants on Founder's Day, have your natural hair out as a member of Glee Club, and even to have a Black woman president were earned because of the important and yet widely unknown work of student activists. To begin the much-needed process of archiving such stories, TBR's Director Love Lundy and Archive Team Member Jasmine are joined by Spelman Alumnae and radical organizers Ari Brazier, Eva Dickerson, and Jill Cartwright. They discuss the protests they were involved in during their time at Spelman, their current work in the Stop Cop City Movement, and give encouragement to current Spelman students looking to get involved in radical organizing.

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Audio Engineering by Darlene Nawuridam

Production by Zariah Taylor

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Apr 14, 202401:11:22
For The Record: Spelman Going Global
Mar 16, 202447:29
For The Record: The Spelman Prototype
Feb 24, 202444:37
32 - Defining Love (Is It Sapphic, Tho?)

32 - Defining Love (Is It Sapphic, Tho?)

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, so we gathered our expert panel of lover girls -- Fina, Love, Shiloh, and Del -- to discuss their own personal definitions of love. Why does our society seem to only focus on romantic love, and what does it mean to be a Black femme showing your girlfriends some affection? In addition to answering these questions, our hosts also dive into the discourse surrounding the recent The Color Purple movie musical, discussing whether the sapphic relationship between Celie (Fantasia) and Suge (Taraji P. Henson) was properly portrayed on screen.

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Audio Engineering by Darlene Nawuridam

Editing by Zariah Taylor

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Feb 10, 202448:20
31 - That Sacred Place, Which is Spelman

31 - That Sacred Place, Which is Spelman

For decades, Sister's Chapel has been a cornerstone of the Spelman community, its walls echoing with the laughter, tears, and whispered prayers of generations of Spelmanites. To shed some light on the Chapel's significance, as well as highlight the work of Sister's Chapel staff and student leaders, we are honored to be joined today by two incredibly special guests: Reverend Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry, Dean of Sisters Chapel, and Reverend Whitney R. E. Bazden Bond, the program coordinator for the Thriving in Ministry Initiative.

In their conversation with our host and Director of The Blue Record, Love Lundy, Reverends Guidry and Bond discuss their work in making Sister's Chapel a safe space for all students, how Spelman alum have supported and sometimes pushed back against the Chapel's evolution, and the resources the Chapel provides to students of all creeds and religious backgrounds.

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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Editing by Zariah Taylor

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Feb 05, 202456:05
30 - The Director's Table

30 - The Director's Table

Welcome to the Director's Table. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a leader at Spelman? Or felt like you were alone in questioning the social politics one must navigate to reach a leadership position? Well, in today's episode, we invite you to join the Director's Table, where our hosts -- Fina and Shiloh -- are joined by The Blue Record's executive director -- Love -- to talk all things leadership at Spelman. Some of the topics that are touched on in this discussion include delegation, vulnerability, rejection, and teamwork.

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Editing by Zariah Taylor

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Dec 18, 202340:43
For The Record: Homecoming Wouldn't be Homecoming Without...

For The Record: Homecoming Wouldn't be Homecoming Without...

In today's episode of For The Record -- a Blue Record miniseries -- Jasmine and Janae of the Archives team are joined by Director of Comms Shana to answer the age-old fill-in-the-blank: "Homecoming Wouldn't be Homecoming Without _____." Our fantastic trio of hosts discuss their homecoming essentials, including self-expression, safety, and gifts from alumna. They also reflect on this year's homecoming lineup and share their dreams for their own future alumnahood.


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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Editing by Zariah Taylor

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Nov 18, 202335:09
29 - The Oppurtunist

29 - The Oppurtunist

Have you ever wondered why it seems like some majors get more opportunities than others? Or considered changing your major because you felt there weren’t enough resources available to you? In this episode of the Blue Record, our hosts Fina, Shiloh, and Love reflect on opportunity distribution at Spelman and explore how mandatory courses like Braven can feel more suited to C-Suite career paths, leaving out students who want to pursue other things. Our hosts also share some of the career resources available at Spelman that you can utilize if you’re feeling unprepared for life after graduation.

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Editing by Zariah Taylor


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Oct 29, 202344:21
For The Record: What Makes a Good Student

For The Record: What Makes a Good Student

As college students, we’re always wondering what can do to succeed in our courses —- and wishing we could hop into our professor’s minds to know their idea of what a good student is, too. In this episode of For The Record, archive team members Chloe, Jasmine, and Alexandra explore the idea of a good Spelman student and how that idea has changed over the years. Additionally, our hosts are joined by Spelman College Faculty legends Dr. Cynthia Lee Spence and Dr. Andrea Lewis who share their perspectives as professors on what makes a good student.

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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Oct 15, 202338:56
28 - Room and Board: The Reality of Living at Spelman College

28 - Room and Board: The Reality of Living at Spelman College

The Blue Record: Season Four. We're addressing a long-time concern of the Spelman Community - housing. One of our hosts Del joined by Director & Director's Intern Love & Alexandra discuss the costs, safety concerns, and general difficulties that come with living in Atlanta to attend Spelman College.

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Sound Mixing by Kendi King

Oct 07, 202347:55
For the Record: Spelman & the West End in Community Partnership

For the Record: Spelman & the West End in Community Partnership

Tai (she/they), Macy (she/her), and Alyshea (she/her) come together to discuss their unique relationship to the West End community that Spelman resides in. They talk about the community's status as a food desert and how difficult it can be to access nutritious food for both commuter and on-campus students. The three share ways in which Spelman as an institution can be a better neighbor to the West End and how Spelman students can make an impact on those who reside here. 

Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com 

 

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thebluerecord 

 

Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu 

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Edited by Zariah Taylor

May 02, 202343:27
27 - The Reality of Being Queer/Trans at Spelman w/ LaKia of Black Feminist Rants

27 - The Reality of Being Queer/Trans at Spelman w/ LaKia of Black Feminist Rants

LaKia Williams (she/her) of Black Feminist Rants joins Alexandra (she/her) and Sydney (they/she) to interview them about what it's really like being queer/trans at Spelman. They discuss the insidious way that white supremacy creeps into HBCUs and the gendered relationship between Spelman and Morehouse. Alexandra and Sydney speak about how the Women's Research and Resource Center pushes Spelman to be more radical in its love for all students, including those who are queer and trans. LaKia speaks to her experience at a PWI and how HBCUs are important cultural and educational spaces. Thank you, LaKia, for being a guest interviewer!


Black Feminist Rants is an independent podcast that centers new voices in the Reproductive Justice and Black Feminist movements, especially those of Black women, femmes, and queer people. BFR believes that Reproductive Justice is the path towards liberation and it requires new, innovative, and creative organizing efforts. Black Feminist Rants is leading cultural and narrative shift around the way we discuss abortion access, reproductive autonomy, and racial justice. BFR understands that this movement requires the work of students, activists, abortion providers, sex workers, and thought leaders to fight back – and win.

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Read the article Sydney mentioned on the lock-up of the Board of Trustees here.

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Visit BFR's website at https://www.blackfeministrants.com/


Follow BFR @blackfeministrants on Instagram and @blackfemrants on Twitter

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Edited by Samantha Porter.

Mar 24, 202330:43
For the Record: Stop Cop City
Mar 03, 202333:07
26 - Self Love: Black Hair Being Resistance

26 - Self Love: Black Hair Being Resistance

Alexandra (she/her) and Sydney (they/she) discuss their personal journeys with their hair, texturism, and the Natural Hair YouTube industrial complex. They reflect on the Crown Act and the wild standards of new school hair stylists. Alexandra and Sydney talk about the rigidity of standards for Black men's hair and the role of the hair salon or barbershop in the Black community. 

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Edited by Zariah Taylor

Feb 24, 202301:00:18
For the Record: Georgia Midterm Elections, Spelman’s Voter Advocacy, and the Modern Spectacle of Politics

For the Record: Georgia Midterm Elections, Spelman’s Voter Advocacy, and the Modern Spectacle of Politics

Tai (she/they), Macy (she/her), and Alyshea (she/her) unite to discuss the Georgia midterm election results and voting suppression. They talk about living in a Black city within a white state, the bipartisan nature of US politics, and their personal experiences with exercising their right to vote. The For the Record team delineate the issues they watch out for and Spelman’s relationship with voting advocacy.

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Edited by Samantha Porter

Dec 02, 202222:02
25 - Rapper's Delight: A Look into Hip Hop Culture and Its History at Spelman

25 - Rapper's Delight: A Look into Hip Hop Culture and Its History at Spelman

Alexandra (she/her) and Sydney (they/she) talk about hip-hop culture, the devastating impacts of gun violence, and politicians’ relationship to rap. They also spotlight the Spelman College Women in Hip-Hop Collective and how capitalism insidiously affects how women can show up in hip-hop. Alexandra and Sydney consider what they see as the future of hip-hop.

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Edited by Zariah Taylor

Nov 18, 202255:06
For the Record: Gatekeeping, HBCU Culture, and the USC Majorette Team w/ Olivia Musoke

For the Record: Gatekeeping, HBCU Culture, and the USC Majorette Team w/ Olivia Musoke

For the Record returns for the new season! Tai (she/they) leads a new team: Kyarah (she/her), Macy (she/her), and Alyshea (she/her). They are in conversation with Olivia Musoke (she/her), the current captain of Mahogany N Motion, about the creation of the first majorette team at University of Southern California and what that means for the boundaries of Black culture. Olivia also gives an insight into how majorette culture has been a guiding light for her experience at Spelman.

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Edited by Samantha Porter

Oct 28, 202217:12
24 - Dr. Helene Gayle, an Affordable Spelman, and Pouring into Black Women

24 - Dr. Helene Gayle, an Affordable Spelman, and Pouring into Black Women

Join Elizabeth (she/her), the Director of TBR, and Tai (she/they), the Director of Archives, as they interview Dr. Helene Gayle, Spelman’s newest president. Learn why Dr. Gayle chose to come to Spelman, her goals for making Spelman more affordable, and her plans for the housing crisis. Dr. Gayle also talks about her dream for Spelman’s relationship with the West End and supporting fine arts majors at Spelman.

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Edited by Zariah Taylor

Oct 16, 202230:36
23 - So You Think Feminism Is Inclusive?

23 - So You Think Feminism Is Inclusive?

Welcome to Season 3 of The Blue Record! Join our new hosts, Alexandra (she/her) and Sydney (they/she), as they discuss how (white liberal) feminism fails the most marginalized. They touch on everything from Taylor Swift to Afrekete to the sociopolitical implications of buying from Shein. Alexandra and Sydney turn to Spelman's own relationship with feminism: its successes (the Women Center) and its failures (gender-exclusive language). 

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thebluerecord

Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

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Edited by Samantha Porter

Sep 30, 202243:44
22 - TBR After Dark

22 - TBR After Dark

Where do we go from here? Join our retiring director, Shaquavia Straughn, host Diop Russel, brand manager Njeri Waititu, and TBR Blog's editor-in-chief Jacobi Reddix in this energetic episode that celebrates the finale of Season Two. It gets really real this time around. We gave our 'Blue Record baddies' the opportunity to reflect in the raw - to express their gratitude and grievances with their alma mater Spelman College. As Spelman College enters a new era, we look into ideologies, new and old, that may not serve the community moving forward. Most importantly, the crew establishes those traits they want to carry into their post-graduate life.

Visit us at https:// www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

Jun 04, 202201:26:59
21 - Big Alumna Energy 2.0

21 - Big Alumna Energy 2.0

It's that time again—and it's so hard to say goodbye! Ananda is joined by Princess, Director of Tech Ops, for The Blue Record's first in-person recording and second annual alumnae reflection episode. They reflect on their time at Spelman (and Zoom University), TBR's second season, and their hopes for adulthood and the future of The Blue Record. Cheers to the dynamic and enduring class of 2022.

The Blue Record will return Fall 2022.

Visit us at https:// www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram and twitter @thebluerecord

Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

May 22, 202247:12
20 - Founders Day REALLY Live!

20 - Founders Day REALLY Live!

It's a very special Founders Dav here at the illustrious Spelman College. In this episode, some new and familiar voices discuss events affecting Spelman's livelihood from April 11th, 1881, beyond. We highlight some common reasons for approaching Spelman as an educational institution and the deep hopes spelmanites have for the institution to sustain itself and its students. Also. this was the first Founders Day celebrated live, in living color, in two years - an unprecedented cultural shift for Spelman College. Are you ready for the shift?


Visit us at https:// www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram and twitter @thebluerecord

Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

Apr 16, 202236:08
 For the Record: ShaQuanda Cotton, Activism, and the School to Prison Pipeline

For the Record: ShaQuanda Cotton, Activism, and the School to Prison Pipeline

The For the Record team explores and unpacks the history of the school-to-prison pipeline within the AUC and the punitive educational reality for Black students of all ages around the country. They bring in activist ShaQuanda Cotton (@iamshaquandacotton) to discuss her personal experience with the school-to-prison pipeline.

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Purchase "Memoir of a Teacher Slapping B#!@%: I Am ShaQuanda Cotton": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/memoir-of-a-teacher-slapping-b-tiffany-cherry/1139839848

Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

Apr 02, 202227:29
19 - The COVID Episode

19 - The COVID Episode

For the two year anniversary of COVID, Diop & Ananda are joined by special guest Tasha Walters (TBR's director of PR) to chronicle the pandemic-necessitated changes to Spelman's in-person academic experience. Candidly, they discuss institutional and interpersonal shifts, the stigma and ableism that impact students who test positive and go on to have long haul symptoms, and balancing safety with compassion and community care.

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Visit us at https://www.thebluerecordpodcast.com

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

Mar 26, 202257:53
For the Record: Black Feminist Love

For the Record: Black Feminist Love

Happy Women's History Month (and Black Women's History Month, part 2)! The For the Record team discusses how the Spelman experience redefines platonic and self love, music's role in Black communal joy, feminist musical activism's shaping of love in the AUC, and the celebration of Black Love Day.

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Mar 19, 202228:25
18 - The Siblinghood Episode

18 - The Siblinghood Episode

In this Valentine's (and Black History Month) episode, Ananda & Diop are joined by special guest Love Lundy (TBR audio engineer extraordinaire) to discuss siblinghood and sisterhood at Spelman and in the AUC. Together, they explore how Spelman's community can engage love radically and capaciously, especially regarding trans & non-binary students and non-heteronormative bonds.

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Feb 19, 202201:09:27
17 - The Black Excellence Episode

17 - The Black Excellence Episode

How do HBCUs as institutions foster neoliberalism? How do Black women in hostile academic and professional spaces curate community? Who are we when we do not attribute our worth to our labor? How do we give grace and trust in a burnout culture? The Blue Record's Director, Shaquavia, joins Diop & Ananda for a discussion unpacking the entwined forces of Black excellence and Black capitalism. 

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Email us at bluerecord@spelman.edu

Jan 29, 202247:12
For the Record: An Interview with Taylor Dews

For the Record: An Interview with Taylor Dews

Elizabeth, Isis, and Tai interview the imitable Taylor Dews, a senior at Spelman, a Social Justice Fellow, and First President of Spelman's NAN collegiate chapter (@spelman_nan_). The FTR team asks Taylor to discuss student activism, the original Atlanta Student Movement, the current crises facing Black students across the United States, and self-care for those in engaged in movement work.

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Dec 04, 202149:08
16 - The Respectability Politics Episode

16 - The Respectability Politics Episode

On this Very Special Episode, Ananda & Diop chronicle current HBCU student activism for the archive, discuss the complex history of Spelman's many traditions, and ponder the role of respectability in Black movement work.

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Nov 21, 202145:22
For the Record: Homecoming Fashion

For the Record: Homecoming Fashion

For the Record is back! Elizabeth returns with newcomers Lena, Tai, and Isis to explore the history of self-expression during the AUC's homecoming season.

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Oct 30, 202126:57
15 - The Homecoming

15 - The Homecoming

What's the move? Diop and Ananda break down the legendary past, evolving present, and forthcoming future of the ultimate HBCU experience: homecoming.

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Oct 16, 202145:38
14 - The Comeback
Sep 18, 202148:44
13 - Big Alumna Energy

13 - Big Alumna Energy

It's the end of the road for the Blue Record's founding team. Listen in as Kayla, Gabby, and Hollis reminisce about their time at Spelman and say their final goodbyes to the podcast. Tears may or may not have been shed in the making of this episode. 



May 23, 202101:07:24
For the Record: A Legacy of Grace and Compassion
Apr 24, 202139:51
12 - Founders Day LIVE!
Apr 17, 202158:26
For the Record: Interview with Kendra Johnson, the Founder of Afrekete
Mar 27, 202146:10
11 - The Blacker the Berry...

11 - The Blacker the Berry...

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Mar 13, 202145:13
For the Record: Queering Valentines

For the Record: Queering Valentines

Valentine's day may have passed, but love month is still going on! Diop, Osargue, and Elizabeth discuss communal love and non-traditional Valentine's day celebrations on a very festive episode of For the Record. Listen to the end to hear a special sneak peek of next month's interview. 


Special thanks to Osargue Otebele for drafting this episode outline! 

Feb 27, 202131:15
10 - Black Love Builds
Feb 14, 202142:01
09 - Year in Review

09 - Year in Review

Gabby, Hollis, and Kayla rehash all the moments that made this year, uh, special. 

Dec 19, 202001:01:22
08 - The Next Four Years

08 - The Next Four Years

Gabby and Osarugue are joined by special guests Alex and Taylor to talk about campus organizing and getting out the vote. Oh, and did you know there was just a presidential election?
Nov 14, 202001:14:25
For the Record: Finding Your Creative Self

For the Record: Finding Your Creative Self

The archives team discuss what kind of creatives they consider themselves and other current members of the AUC. This is the first of a two part episode.
Oct 24, 202031:02
BONUS: Interview with Dr. Brownlee

BONUS: Interview with Dr. Brownlee

Destinee interviews Dr. Brownlee about her experience with the art world in the AUC.
Oct 24, 202046:00
07 - Making, Studying, and Exhibiting Art at HBCUs

07 - Making, Studying, and Exhibiting Art at HBCUs

Hollis, Tasha, and Destinee delve deep into the history of art culture in and around the AUC, as well as other HBCUs across the country. 



Oct 10, 202050:26
06-Navigating Unfamiliar Terrain with The Wiz
Sep 19, 202059:10
For the Record: #SayHerName Continued
Aug 29, 202031:22
05-Back to School?
Aug 17, 202001:30:15
For the Record: Why's it so hard to #sayhername?
Jul 25, 202030:24
04-Black Girls in Digital Spaces
Jul 11, 202001:20:00
03-Black Girls IRL
Jun 19, 202055:45