Wanda's Picks

October is Maafa Awareness Month and today we'll be joined in the studio by David Roach, CEO of the Oakland International Film Festival, which opens with Baayan Bakari's latest film, "Equinox," Thursday, October 9, at the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland. We are joined by special guest this first hour by Mama Imahkas, who over 20 years ago repatriated to Ghana and has been creating ceremonies to welcome Africans on their return to the Motherland, the land of our origin. Visit oneafricaghana.com and livinginblack.com. For information about the Oakland Film Festival visit www.oiff.org for a listing of all the films and special workshops, lectures and parties. We'll also be joined by Keith Hopkins, one of the artists featured in the Maafa Commemoration Exhibit at Prescott Joseph Center, 920 Peralta Street in Oakland. The exhibit is up through the end of October. October 3, the exhibit opens and can be viewed before the play, Ebony and Johnny, which begins at 7 p.m., and during intermission. During the week, the organization is open 9-5 daily. Our featured vocalist this week is Ajuana Black from her CD: "Ajuana Black: A Soulful Journey." We'll play a couple of tunes. You can catch Ajuana and her band at Solf Notes Jazz Lounge and Restaurant tonight, 355 19th St., Oakland,(510) 444-7587, October 3, 9 p.m. in downtown Oakland. Visit http://wandaspicks.com for more information about what's going on in the San Francisco Bay. We'll close with an excerpt from Runoko Rashidi interview which we were unable to upload on the Wednesday segment of Wanda's Picks. Keep a listen out for the interview with Dr. Ysaye M Barnwell with Sweet Honey in Rock. They'll be at SFJAZZ Saturday, October 4, 8 p.m. at Davies Symphony Hall, Grove and Van Ness in San Francisco. You can check them out after the Rashidi lecture at 4 p.m. at the African Children's Advanced Learning Center, 959 33rd Street, Oakland.