Emma Jackson Ford

It’s Saturday morning. We hop in the car. Mom’s heading to work, and I’m geeked to go spend the day at the ’shop! The barbershop is a sound booth, an art gallery, a playground, a classroom, and so much more. It’s a place for artistry and comradery and, most importantly,... Read more

In Love, Rita Bridgett M. Davis tells the story of her beloved older sister Rita, a vivacious woman who attended Fisk University at age sixteen, and went on to become a car test driver, an amateur belly dancer, an MBA, and later a popular special ed teacher.  In doing so... Read more

But, we realized there was so much more to share, so we're returning with more poems, comments and hopefully insights from you, our listeners .  If you'd like to share a favorite Nikki Giovanni poem or memory, call in on 503-231-8187. By speaking her words, we lift and p... Read more

  Nikki Giovanni. a national treasure, was a frequent visitor to the Portland area.  Hosts Emma Ford, O B Hill and  Patricia Welch will be reading our favorite poems, sharing highlights of her life and welcoming listeners to call in and do the same.  Everyone has a favor... Read more

        In this metaphysical mystery, historian Brigham Elijah embarks on a mind-bending journey triggered by his uncle's mysterious murder. Delving into his own past, Brigham encounters cryptic clues, forbidden secrets, and a clandestine society guarding ancient knowle... Read more

  When President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed his vice president to succeed him, the country's attention focussed on Kamala Harris. The notion of this dynamic, Afro-Asian woman (mother emigrated from India,  father  from Jamaica)  ha... Read more

Newly-emancipated Halle decides to leave the plantation in search of her parents.  Aurelia, whose privileged life was ravaged by the Civil War, wants to find her brother, a soldier who fought with the Union army.   Both are plotting their trip North when their paths cros... Read more

We flipped the script for this program.  Black Book Talk co-host O B Hill is our guest, along with Gloria McMurtry.  They are the founders of Reflections Coffee and Books which, for 17 years, drew fans to the crossroads of MLK Blvd and Killingsworth St.   More than a cof... Read more

     Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland. These odes to Black women of all ages are brilliantly illustrated by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes .      Black Girl You Are Atlas is Watson's ... Read more