In Conversation with Robin D.G. Kelley and The Urban Peace Movement

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

In a recent episode of Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D engaged in a lively conversation with Nicole Lee of the Urban Peace Movement and publicist Jacky Johnson. Both Oakland natives, they passionately discussed the success of the recent “Town Up Tuesday” event at Lake Merritt, which drew over 4,000 attendees and featured performances by headlining acts like Too Short and Goapele.

The discussion began with Davey D and Nicole highlighting the positive impact of the Urban Peace Movement on the Bay Area community. They noted the success of various events, including “Pound Up Tuesdays,” and celebrated the acquisition of a building by formerly incarcerated individuals. They also mentioned the recent Juneteenth parade in San Francisco and unique cultural events like “Town of Tuesdays” in Oakland. While acknowledging the challenges Oakland faces, they emphasized the city’s resilience and the intertwining of culture and social justice.

Davey and Jacky delved into the intentional planning and community-building efforts behind the “Town of Tuesdays” series. They stressed the importance of creating a welcoming, intergenerational space with a focus on artist representation and community safety. Feedback from the community highlighted a desire for more such events, recognizing the team’s efforts to foster a sense of pride and resilience within Oakland. They also discussed an upcoming fireside chat organized to continue these goals.

Nicole and Jacky spoke about an upcoming panel at Oakland Tech featuring pioneering Oakland legends Danyel Smith, Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné!, and rap icon Too Short. They discussed the significant contributions of these individuals to Oakland’s culture and their national and global impact. The panel, aimed at celebrating these achievements, is set to be a free event with registration available through www.thatsOaklandbaby.com.

The conversation further explored the rich cultural history of Oakland and the contributions of notable figures to the global influence of hip hop and other cultural movements. Nicole emphasized the importance of acknowledging the city’s cultural roots and discussed her organization’s focus on building youth leadership and ending the criminalization of young people of color. They also addressed the need to support small businesses and dispel negative narratives about Oakland.

Overall, the conversation on Hard Knock Radio underscored the importance of community, culture, and resilience in Oakland, highlighting the collaborative efforts to uplift the city and its residents.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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