Wanda's Picks

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to Wanda’s Picks, the bi-weekly black arts and culture program, where art meets politics. We’re a proud member of the African Sisters Media network. Today I have a great show planned for you. Wednesday, December 31, I arrived in New Orleans just in time to attend Kuumba at Ashe Community Center in New Orleans’ 2nd or 3rd Ward depending on one’s politics. Saddi Khali was emcee and featured were poets and singers and other artists in honor of the 6th principle of the Nguzo Saba, Kuumba or Creativity. I invited poets on the air, the following day, January 1, 2009, to talk about Imani or Faith, the last principle and their thoughts on 2009, the year of Obama and the state of crisis the Gulf is still in, even though no one is talking about it anymore. Peaches spoke of how her poetry inventory, records and other writing, were lost in the storm, but she has another collection coming out this year. Her latest poem, which she said was becoming her favorite, is called: Life. I met Peaches at a poetry salon at Club Envy, another poet,Hollywood hosted two years ago. Mama Cherise Harrison Nelson, whom I didn’t get on the show this time, had to temper her remarks for the younger audience, and Valentine Pierce, whom I haven’t seen in years just shook her head in disgust when I mentioned New Orleans post-Katina, post-man-made disaster. Ani Mwalimu known as “Be Well,” from Boston, was in town visiting friends. One of his poems spoke of “slave grades.” His poem, about a child named “Anthony,” can’t read. Michaela A. Harrison, another artist I met that evening, but didn’t get for the show, sang a song about “The Healing Room.” Yes, I know…maybe next time. Enjoy and tune in Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6-7 AM, PST, for another addition of Wanda’s Picks. 1. Saddi Khali emcee 2. Valentine Pierce poet 3. Ani Mwalimu “Be Well” 4. Keisha “Peaches” Caldwell