For over 20 years, Rita Madlock has been a fitness instructor, presenter, developer, and manager. She is a graduate of Bay View High School of the Performing Arts, and of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. In addition to founding Equinox Centre, Brookfield, WI and Santa Barbara’s Monkeytail Intelligent Exercise, Rita has taught her unique exercise program internationally. Learn more at monkeytailintelligentexercise.com.
Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara, fosters positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara Community and the surrounding areas; and sponsors programs and events which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe, and celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.” mlksb.org.
Read MoreTim Stone is a Vaquero football assistant coach that focuses on the secondary. When his not coaching, he is laying down tracks and jams for everyone to enjoy. Listen to DJ Tim Stone’s Juneteenth Mixes.
Read MoreComfort Food is a Santa Barbara local mixed media studio, focused on events, music, and fashion. Check out their live set from 4pm-6pm on our Instagram page!
Read MoreSimone Ruskamp is a Black woman who loves Black people. As the parent of a young child, she affirms the radical work of mothering and believes that all are needed to create the communities we deserve. She is an organizer with Healing Justice Santa Barbara and co-founder of Juneteenth Santa Barbara. Learn more at instagram.com/_simone_smiles/
Read MoreOn Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend in January of 2020, Diane Travis-Teague the Director of Alumni Relations at Pacifica Graduate Institute brought together alumni and community members for their Coming Home to Pacifica Event themed on “The Stories We Tell”. Lito Hernandez and Darius Simpsons were performers and delighted the crowd with their art. Learn more about Pacifica Graduate Institute, Lito Hernandez, and Darius Simpson.
Read MoreDominic King, is a family support specialist at Kids and Families Together and UCSB alumni. He is currently finishing his doctorate in Depth Psychology and in partnership with Healing Justice Santa Barbara has been leading healing circles for Black Santa Barbara residents. Here he shares about the healing roots of African dance and step culture. Dominic can be reached at dominicking.imf86864@yahoo.com.
Read MoreAkivah Northern, is a certified Family Wellness Trainer and holds a Master in Divinity from Yale. Here she shares about her late husband, Babatunde Folalyemi, a fierce advocate for Santa Barbara youth and Santa Barbara city council member. Listen as she describes the pride and resilience of her Santa Barbara roots.
Read MoreLuther Richmond III, is an EOP counselor and also coordinates the Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) and the American Indian Cultural Resource Center (AICRC) at UC Santa Barbara- class of 2007. He and his family have lived in Santa Barbara for three generations. Luther shares how his grandparents acquired land in Santa Barbara and built their family home.
Read MoreEllesce Logan, UCSB student and social entrepreneur, founded Black Citizens Coalition to support Black community and organizing in Santa Barbara through volunteer projects and capacity building. Learn more at instagram.com/blackcitizenscoalition.
Read MoreIt is so important that you exercise your right to vote! Make sure it counts and please register online to vote today (if you haven’t already)!
Read MoreThank you to Darrell and Sally McNeill, Santa Barbara locals who love music and helped plan the 2020 Black History Month Culture House with Black Rock Coalition. Darrell is the Director of Operations for the Black Rock Coalition.
Black Rock Coalition - The Black Rock Coalition, founded in 1985, is the nation’s only 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to championing the work by progressive/alternative artists of color whose work goes largely underrepresented by mainstream media outlets and the music industry. The BRC was co-founded by Vernon Reid, Greg Tate, and Konda Mason and is headquartered in New York City. Learn more at blackrockcoalition.org/.
Read MoreChiristin and Ashe Brown, are a dynamic wife duo and owners of Pura Luna Women's Apothecary and sister company LunaBella Makeup and Hair. Both have been in Santa Barbara for over 16 years and are committed to offering accessible and meaningful self care tools for community. Learn more about Pura Luna Apothecary and Luna Bella Makeup.
Read MoreTrinity Jones, is an extraordinary talented and gifted student that lives in mid Santa Barbara County. She recalls on the life and history of Ida B. Wells an American investigative journalist, educator, and an early leader in the civil rights movement. We hope you enjoy!
Read MoreWarren Ritter II, is the current president of Santa Barbra Black Professionals. In his current profession as a financial advisor, Warren helps individuals with overall problem solving, financial literacy, and estate planning. This Juneteenth he challenges his Black siblings to tell stories of Black history that include kingdoms and narratives of self awareness. Learn more at SBYBP.com.
Read MoreThe Santa Barbara Ring Shout Project (SBRSP) honors a tradition that our enslaved brothers did when they arrived in America. It consists of calling and responding to the acapella style of singing. SBRSP dances in a circle to the beat of a sticker, beating on a wood floor to make rhythm. Ring Shout uses the entire body, the main focus is rhythms. SBRSP greatest accomplishment was joining the Gullah/Geechee shouters for a closeout exhibit of Lorenzo Turner's work and performance at the Smithsonian Institution.
Read MoreChanté Glover (pronouns they/them) is a freelance multimedia artist, with a focus on painting, illustration, and tattoo, living in Santa Barbara California.
Read MoreThis clip is from the Amazing Grace Documentary about Grace Fisher. A remarkable young lady that works with Earl Stewart. Learn more about Grace Fisher at the Grace Fisher Foundation website.
Earl Stewart was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1950. His musical studies began with the piano when he was six. At twelve, he added trumpet and won numerous honors for his playing ability. His skill with the trumpet and his ear for music allowed him, in his teens and early 20s, to play with and do musical arrangements for pick-up bands with visiting entertainers to the area - such as Percy Sledge, Syl Johnson, King Floyd and Garland Green.
He received his BS in Secondary Education from Southern University, Baton Rouge, studying under Walter Craig and the late jazz great Alvin Batiste in its Jazz Institute. He then received his MM and DMA in Composition from The University of Texas at Austin, studying with such luminaries as ethnomusicologist Gerard Behague, composers Karl Korte and Joseph Schwantner, and world-renowned orchestrator and author of Counterpoint (the late) Kent Kennan. Learn more at earllouisstewart.com.
Read MoreJonathan Walker-VanKuren shares from his recital "Songs my mother taught me..." that celebrates African American history through song. This recording is of his most recent performance in Fort Worth for Black History Month. He has lived in Santa Barbara for a year while in residency at Opera Santa Barbara and has so many positive things to say about my experiences in such an inclusive city. Learn more at jonathanvankuren.com.
Read MoreLeticia Forney, is the owner and lead producer of Fresch events. She is an advocate for diversity within the local wedding industry and is proud to step into this moment. Here Leticia shares about her direct ancestor, the first Black resident of Sana Barbara, Jerry Forney. Learn more about her work at Freschevents.com.
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