RadioACTive: March 4, 2021

  • March 4, 2021
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Black Bold and Brilliant the Blerd Edition, with the Changing the Narrative Team and Utah Film Center

Blerds! presented by Black Bold and Brilliant 

Black, Bold, & Brilliant presents the next episode in our series of conversations about Black-centric films and media: Blerds. The term for Black nerds, “Blerds”, was first introduced into the mainstream in 2006 via a reference from the television show, “Scrubs”. Since then, cultural recognition for Blerds has grown exponentially. This cultural explosion has unleashed the power, imagination, and beauty of Blerds, which We're celebrating. Check out the  

BBB is a production of KRCL RadioACTive and Utah Film Center. this virtual event features reflections of a panel that reflects on clips of movie passages and shares their authentic opinions and experiences living within the vast diaspora of Black life. Tonight's Panel included: 

  • Moderators:
    • Aja Washington, Aja Washington is a black feminist, social worker, and activist who grew up in Southern California. She is a community co-host on KRCL’s Thursday night show, Changing the Narrative, is a founding member of Black Lives Matter Salt Lake City and works on various activism projects in Salt Lake City. 
    • Meligha Garfield,  is the inaugural director for the Black Cultural Center (BCC) at the University of Utah—a center that works to holistically enrich, educate, and advocate for students, faculty, staff and the broader community through Black centered programming, culturally affirming educational initiatives, and retention strategies. Hailing from Rochester, New York, Garfield holds a B.A. in Government, with a minor in colonial Latin American history and Africana studies and a Master of Public Administration from New Mexico State University (NMSU) where he was previously the Programs Coordinator for the Black Programs Department. He has implemented outreach and retention services, served as coordinator and advisor in Black programs, and managed numerous departmental programming and events while at NMSU – many of which he hopes to start at the U. He is also a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.
  • Panelists:
    • Emani Powell, "Imani Powell is the proud owner of Essence of Ebony, a company created to show love to the natural Brothas and Sistas. Her current role in her business is a Natural Hair Coach and Stylist. Imani was born and raised in (New) Jersey, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelors in Forensic Science (Biology) & minor in Chemistry and currently resides in Salt Lake City, UT. Imani spent most of her adolescence in a natural hair salon and has carried over her skills and teachings as a Natural Hair Stylist today. She is an artist, a creative, a scientist and an advocate for the Natural Essence of the Black Experience. "
    • Dirk Thomas, "Hi, I'm Dirk to some, Quique to others and Tofurkey to a few more! I was born in the Naval Medical Center in Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico and was later adopted by activists. I've always been the outcast being the black face in white spaces, I took to fantasy/sci-fi/superheroes like a security blanket because these were the only forms of media where I got to see women and people of color not portrayed as stereotypes and damsels in distress. Since I'm the child of activists, I've also been really involved in local grassroots community activism, starting out as the founder and president of our school's environmental club in middle school to creating underground newspapers denouncing white supremacy in high school and then there was that one time at Weber State University where I denounced the Signpost for advertising gay conversion therapy. Now at 34, I am one of the Co-Chairs for the LGBTQIA Committee for Black Lives Matter Utah."
    • Keith McDonald, I was born in a small suburb south of Chicago, Illinois, called Blue Island. he arrived in Utah after being stationed at Hill Air Force Base. Although he enjoyed his time in the military, it did not suit his peaceful sensibilities or inclination toward helping others. Keith enjoys working with kids, whether it be mentoring, coaching, or teaching, is Keith’s passion. His dream is to enact change in the urban areas of America by developing social and athletic programs, promoting education and creating community solidarity activities to counteract the influence of gangs, drugs and sedentary lifestyles.

      Keith has a BA (Journalism/Ethnic Studies) He’s Host of the Friday Night Fallout Show on KRCL, Organizes Park Jam, Works at SLCC ENGLISH Department, And Keith is a comic book nerd

Views, thoughts or opinions shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the board, staff or members of Listeners' Community Radio of Utah, 90.9fm KRCL. Tonight's RadioACTive team included:

  • Assoc. Producer/Host: Billy Palmer
  • Community Co-Host: Franque Bains
  • Executive Producer: Lara Jones

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