The Richard Brown Show, a weekly TV and radio show where we discuss, explore and change issues that are affecting our African American community. The RB show is expanding if you want to hear the show in your local area please send me an email
Talking to Monica after the show last week, I realized that there are a handful of shows that give an hour to one topic. I commented that many shows don't think people will tune in for the whole hour if there is only one topic. I understand why from a business sense this is the case but I also know it takes time to develop an idea and just how difficult it is to do any anaylsis in a short time frame. The conversation sparked an idea about other forms of media and how they lend themselves to conveying, information, feelings and emotions. On this show I develop these ideas and what it may mean to use a particular formatt. I talk about this idea within the context of the Wake County School board fight and where concenerd parents can look for ideas and take action for themselves. Join this Richard Brown show and thanks for your support.
With Green labels being slapped on everything from bleach to cereal it is a safe bet that everything claiming green isn't. My guest, Monica Be has done her own research and found a process to give her a better sense about which products meet a greener standard. Monica is a LEED Accredited Professional in Innovation in Design Construction and she helps individuals, schools, and companies cut through the product marketing and help them decide which products are greener. This process can be healthier, can lower expenses, and it can reduce her clients carbon footprint. She gives us some beauty products for Africam American women that we should look for. Join this Richard Brown Show and go green.
Over the past four years of doing the show, I have had over 200 guests, We have covered so many topics and I feel I have gotten a good feel for what each guest has offered. Dr. Jackson, the Director of the Institute of African American research in Chapel Hill, has blown me away. I am deeply honored that she took the time to share her knowledge. It will without a doubt enrich my life and I am sure yours. She gives us a detailed look at her research into cultural, DNA, geography of America and how they have fused together. She also talks about an upcoming conference on Aug 6-7 about what Christianity and Islam have to say about Black American group suffering? These threads within Dr. Jackson's hand are woven into an intellectual tapestry that will strengthen and heal you. I beset you to join this show. It is an awesome gift.
My guests join me to discuss their search for their academic voice. Students from Yale and Cornell, Tia Hicks and Kayla Vinson discuss the research that they are conducting this summer. Many people struggle with graduate level academic writing and frankly give up. But there are some that continue to fight and come through with a powerful and authentic voice. Tia's research looks at the black women within the Black panther party and their relationship with feminism. Kayla's research examines why young black boys struggle within the school setting. Join me on this Richard Brown show see how these sisters are progressing. Thank you for your support and please share your experience with me in finding your academic voice.
There are times as a black person in America the odds look and feel - long. We have dreams, we have hopes but the lack of money, time, and support just to name three can be a huge barrier. I first talk about the show and how I am growing it to connect dreams to reality then Curtis Gatewood joins me and we discuss some of the barriers we face. It wouldn't be a RB show if we didn't cover steps to overcome these barriers. I hope this message in a bottle reaches you and propels you forward in your life quest. Thanks for your support.
I am going to ask you do to something next time you are in the kitchen. Look at the ingredient list of your breakfast cereal. How many words can you pronounce? What about the last time you ate at a fast food restaurant? Pull up the ingredient list off the web. Can you spell it? What is all that? In a word it is how our food is prepared/processed by large corporations. Chef Tim Cozart and I talk about how he prepares food. He is the executive chef of Earth Sage & Fire based in Durham, NC and has a passion for sharing healthy food with people. When he cooks he uses local and fresh produce whenever possible. By doing this, he gives the food the opportunity to speak. He also doesn't over cook his food. He gives tips to make veggies and meat retain flavor and change your mind about what food really tastes like. The goal is to have eating become an experience again not just a quick refill of carbs, proteins, and fats. Join this Richard Brown show to have a virtual feast.
June 7, 2010 –Building your small business for success
Katie Gailes joins me in the studio to talk business. She helps small businesses with their vision and marketing plans. She has done her time in corporate america and then she heard this calling and started helping small businesses create and execute a business plan. Her experience and technical know-how can help your business increase cash flow and acquire new customers. She gives us guidance on when we should bring in expert help and when is the right time to get the skill(s) yourself. We have a lively conversation that I know you will enjoy. Please join me for this Richard Brown show. And thanks for your support.
How many times have you told a funny joke and no one laughed? Corey Manning is a professional joke teller and every now and then this happens to him as well. He joins me in the studio and tells how he got in the business. Growing up in Durham within the shadow of Duke University, he didn't know he was poor until middle school kids started picking on him. In high school, he wanted to have fun and cut class; He ended up in the Principle's office on multiple occasions. Now he touring the country telling jokes about how he got in and out of trouble. Join this Richard Brown show and have a good laugh.
Over five years ago the southern part of Raleigh voiced a need for more financial education and assistance. The Raleigh Area Development Authority (RADA) was created. The non-profit serves the community with home ownership classes, credit repair, foreclosure assistance, and individual development accounts. The RADA has filled a very important function. They are now expanding their footprint and reaching people in other parts of wake county. Many have been hit hard by the economic changes over the last three years and the tools RADA provides gives us the breathing room to get on a solid financial path. Please join this conversation, we talk people, homes, and finance on this Richard Brown show.
May 24, 2010 – Black male identity 101
Growing up how often did someone make comments about your gender and race? More importantly, how did you take the comments? Did you become self conscience and do your best to avoid or did you go in another direction? I want to continue a conversation I started a few months about black male identity. How we create and grow it. When I talk to people, we talk about the funny things that happened to us during college and every once in a while we get serious and talk about those situations that wounded us. It is very interesting to talk to people and see how much of their identity is shaped by events that happen to them verses events we make happen. As I continue to develop the show, it is so important to know where you come from, where you are, and where you want to be. This conversation is front in center all three questions. Join me as we get knee deep in a special conversation on this Richard Brown show.
May 17, 2010 – Snarks is gaming to win
The owners of Snarks, a gaming arcade established this year, are first and foremost teachers. The husband and wife team have taught at-risk and elite children in public schools systems in North Carolina and California. Their love of honest conversation with young people still burns bright, just the venue has changed. They wanted to find another way to engage young people thus Snarks was born. When young people come to play games, they are always greeted and given an orientation on how to engage in respectable fun. Trash talking is encouraged but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed. Parents can come with their children of all ages and find a guidance not found at other game locations. Douglass Coleman tells us how the company got started and how they are playing an active role in the community. Join this Richard Brown show to get your game on, there are plenty of Wii, PlayStation, and Xbox 360 controllers to go around.
May 10, 2010 – The Fifth Born II a book with a message of hope
Being authentic is how this author carries herself. Zelda Lockhart shares how she as a writer, mother, friend, and spiritual being is living her life striving for truth. In June, she will release her newest novel The Fifth Born II: The Hundredth Turtle. This new tale follows two people from her first book as they search how to create new family bonds. Zelda tells us about the book and her love of being a writer. Her reading of the book is excellent. Don’t miss this Richard Brown show, it will give you sustenance.
May 3, 2010 – Spiting into the mic to go big in the game
D.T.S. Nation shows us how they are making moves. A hip hop group created in Durham, they are a group of young black men that have the desire, the flow, and soon the exposure to become a big name in the rap game. They share the struggles the group has gone through to get to this point in their career. We also talk about what current projects the group is working on. So often, we have dreams but lack critical pieces to make them reality. D.T.S. gives us a feel for what they are lacking, and how they are going to acquire these skills and personnel. Join this Richard Brown show and you might even hear me rap a little. One, Two One Two…Video part 2, Video part 3
April 26, 2010 – Who is the brother in the mirror
Some people believe that what defines us is what race we check on the census form. I ask you, what defines you? Is it what you look like, is it what you do? I pose these questions for my guests, Bill Thomas and Thomas Todd on the show. We talk about their life and how they strive to define themselves. I believe we all have an opportunity to define ourselves and so often we let that opportunity slip away. My guests share their wisdom on this Richard Brown show. Video part 2
April 19, 2010 – How one black man and one journalist together create a new story
How the media tells the story of black men has always been…interesting. On this show we get a change peek behind the curtain in one instance. Bruce Thomas and Lisa Sorg, talk about the recent Independent Weekly story about Bruce. Lisa has been a journalist for over 12 years and in that time she has covered a host of topics. This profile of Bruce was one that she took over 2 months to get the story right and from Bruce’s own words “she said what needed to be said.” Join me as we take a closer look at how the story gives us deeper context of the media’s coverage of black men on this Richard Brown show.
Brandon Trainer CEO of the Raleigh Black Chamber and Virgil Givens founder of a new non profit, Developing Swag, joins me to discuss their organization, their dreams. Brandon is continuing to develop the Chamber as a resource for its members and in the process has turned it into one of the fastest growing black chambers in the country. He has joined a couple of national boards and shares the knowledge he gains from this exposure with chamber membership. Virgil Givens is developing an inspirational young men’s training program. The program uses flag football, scholarship, and respect to give young men the tools they need to thrive in college and beyond. Join this show as we learn about the positive things happening in the community on this Richard Brown show. Video part 2, Video part 3, Video part 4
April 5, 2010 - Sweating and moving The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research suggests that in 1970, the average American consumed 2,169calories a day. In 2008, we were eating 2,674 calories daily. This 23% increase has more than likely lead to our expanding waistline and our deteriorating health. Kim Certain, a certified personal trainer, talks with me on this show and tells us how to reverse this trend. She starts with motivation, then moves to how you obtain a solid exercise knowledge base. Kim shares the mix of movements we all should be doing to increase our fitness level. It is time to get moving and this Richard Brown show can help you get it done.ut this weeks show. Video part 2, Video part 3
March 28, 2010 - Changing college student’s financial outlook
La-tasha Best-Gaddy, Director of Financial Education & Training for the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED), joins me and talks about her signature program - college student financial education. La-tasha has presented across North Carolina and has a wealth of experience sharing financial education. She shares her knowledge during our conversation. She explains that many African American students have obtained an almost crushing amount of debt to obtain a college degree. She tells us how to avoid the situation. We also touch on other NCIMED programs - home ownership training, executive education and a prostate screening initiative. I invite you to listen to this informative Richard Brown show today.
March 22, 2010 - A discussion about our black male identity
On this show, I develop my thoughts about black male identity (BMI). In particular, I look at our development in early and high school years. I highlight some of the negative factors that play a part in the development of BMI; not enough positive elder black male relationships, and the hyper aggression seen in music, TV, and movies by stereotypes of black males to name two. There are of course many black men that don’t allow negative messages to define them. Instead this group of black men focus on the positive influences that they do get and gravitate toward them. I discuss how these positive men are not talked about enough in order to strengthen the perceptions of black men in general. Join this Richard Brown show and share your thoughts about all the influences that create black male identity
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