Ujamaa Place: A Black Man’s Sketch

In this bonus Mother's Day episode, co-hosts Raphael, Robert, and Sensae, joined by Miracle, a young man interested in joining Ujamaa Place for its umoja (Swahili word for unity), pay tribute to the most influential women in their lives.

Hosts Wes, Julio, and Sensae discuss the importance of mind and body wellness with guest, Julies Yancey, Wellness + Training Coach at Ujamaa Place.

A feel-good sketch on life, music, society, and culture for young men of color in the Twin Cities by Ujamaa Men Wesley, Julio, Titus, Sensae and Raphael.

Brother Ra and Manny are in OMG Studio B having a conversation with ABMS Producer Monique Linder about what it meant to take part in the studios grand opening celebration and to be recording A Black Man's Sketch in a professional podcast studio.

Ujamaa Men are joined by Board Secretary, Associate Chief IP Counsel at 3M, Eric Levinson, for an impromptu conversation on corporate social responsibility, from the organization’s night-out at Can Can Wonderland (Nov. 30, 2023).

Joe C. shares about his transformative experience going to Ghana and South Africa with the Ujamaa Place delegation on the Truth & Reckoning Tour from October 6 - 21, 2023. About Ujamaa Place Ujamaa Place provides holistic transformation opportunities for young Black men experiencing inequity at the intersection of race and poverty and helps them achieve brotherhood, stability and personal success. Learn more at: ujamaaplace.org

(Record Live from Elmina, Ghana West Africa) Antino, Joe and Kylan talk about their experience touring Elmina Slave Castile with Akwamu Historians Emanuel and Marcus and how we reckon with this wretched history, as never to allow it to happen again. Proclamation signed by Mayor Melvin Carter, III AKWAMU KINGDOM RECKONING WITH TRUTH DAY PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, with sincere gratitude to King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III, Akwamu Queen Mother and the people of the Akwamu Kingdom in Ghana, West Africa for welcoming a delegation traveling from the City of St. Paul, Minnesota to the Akwamu Traditional Area to reckon with truth and unite in our mission to confront America’s history of slavery and lynching, with a common goal of making sure this painful history never repeats itself. WHEREAS, King Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, III and the people of the Akwamu kingdom reflect the ancestors of African and Black Native Americans of the African diaspora, and for their love for all humanity, from whence they come. WHEREAS, the history of the Akwamu Kingdom tells a story of great warriors and intellect that passed on to the African diaspora through the middle passage stage of the transatlantic slave trade, which divided mothers from children and fathers from families, with great tolls of death and destruction which, continues to impact families and communities in the African diaspora today. WHEREAS, the Reckoning With Truth tour enables the delegation traveling to Africa from Saint Paul, Minnesota to freely engage with the Akwamu people in search of truth and reckoning, with the goal of transferring the history to future generations, as to never allow this painful history to repeat itself. WHEREAS, AKWAMU KINGDOM DAY is designed to be an inclusive day of reckoning with truth for all citizens of St. Paul, and as such, a wide variety of organizations, schools and individuals across greater St. Paul and surrounding communities throughout the State of MN, to conduct activities and events devoted to Reckoning With Truth by confront America’s history of slavery and lynching to mark the day; and WHEREAS, AKWAMU KINGDOM DAY, is also an opportunity to share information with the public and the media as a way of furthering the reckoning with truth mission of confronting slavery and lynching, so that we can move forward in peace, love and respect for one another and all humanity; NOW, THEREFORE, I Mayor of the City of Saint Paul, MN, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2023 as AKWAMU KINGDOM DAY in the City of St. Paul, MN, and encourage all citizens to participate in the celebration of reckoning with truth of slavery and lynching, and passing the truth to future generations to continue to fight for freedom, peace and love for all humanity.

Ujamaa Men Antino, Wes, Joe, Ky, Maurice and Monique (ABMS Producer) are joined in-studio by singer/songwriter/producer + co-founder of the Minneapolis Sound, Andre Cymone, for an inspiring conversation on a successful music career that is equal parts social activism. To learn more about Ujamaa Place, go to: https://ujamaaplace.org/ An OMG Studios production. 2023

In this bonus wrap-up episode, Antino, J. Cole and Wes look back at their favorite moments from Season 3. Learn more about Ujamaa Place at: https://ujamaaplace.org Listen to A Black Man’s Sketch everywhere you listen to podcasts. Executive Producer: Monique Linder | Produced by: OMG Studios

New CEO Chris Crutchfield joins hosts J. Cole, Antino, Wes and Maurice to discuss his vision for the organization and his dream that the next CEO be a Ujamaa Man. Learn more about Ujamaa Place at: https://ujamaaplace.org Listen to A Black Man's Sketch everywhere you listen to podcasts. Executive Producer: Monique Linder | Produced by: OMG Studios

Underground vs. mainstream music? Ujamaa Men J. Cole, Maurice, Antino, Kylan and Wes weigh the pros and cons of a $20+ billion industry, in which artists in record numbers are choosing not to go the major label route in order to retain creative control. About Ujamaa Place Ujamaa Place provides holistic transformation opportunities for young Black men experiencing inequity at the intersection of race and poverty and helps them achieve brotherhood, stability and personal success. A Black Man's Sketch is a social enterprise under the Ujamaa Place Theory of Transformation Employment training and development program. The men earn an above living and sustainable wage while learning valuable skills in media training courses. The classes are taught by Monique Linder of OMG Media Solutions. The program is funded in part by @SharedInfluence. Learn more at: ujamaaplace.org An OMG Studios production.

Ujamaa Men Bryant, Antino, Wes, Kylan, and Joe share their personal experiences with the education system in various cities across the US, and discuss ways to improve outcomes for Black students. A Black Man's Sketch is available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Executive Producer: Monique Linder, OMG Studios Learn more about Ujamaa Place: https://ujamaaplace.org/

Ujamaa Men Bryant, Antino, Kylan, Wes and Maurice deconstruct post traumatic slave syndrome and discuss ways to move beyond it. Listen to A Black Man's Sketch everywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about Ujamaa Place at: https://ujamaaplace.org/.

A Black Man's Sketch Season 3, Episode 3: “FATHERHOOD” Ujamaa Place brothers Bryant, Maurice, Kaylan, Antino, Julio and Wes discuss “Fatherhood” with Guy Bowling, Senior Manager of THE FATHER Project About Guy Bowling Guy Bowling is the Senior Manager of the FATHER Project, a program of Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota. In that role, he has overseen the successful implementation of 3 federally funded grants. Including a five-year $2.5 million annual grant project in 2012 funded through the federal Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office of Family Assistance (OFA). His specific area of focus is working with low-income, non-custodial, never married fathers and their families in culturally specific, multi-racial, multi-ethnic and rural communities. He received his B.A in Individualized Studies from Metro State University. He received his Master of Public Affairs degree (MPA) at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. He received the Outstanding Individual of the Year Award at the 2014 Minnesota Fathers and Families Network Annual Conference. Born in Chicago, Illinois Guy grew up in North Minneapolis, MN where he annually hosts the Festival of Fathers & Families event, the largest fatherhood convening’s statewide focused on building relationships, co-parenting, connecting, celebrating fatherhood and providing resources for Fathers, Men, Boys and Families. He was selected as a 2020 Bush Fellow through the Bush Foundation Fellowship Program. For more information about the Father Project, go to: https://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/services/family-stability/father This episode is dedicated to all Ujamaa Men who strive to be a good father and put in the work to connect with their family under the connect with family Theory of Transformation program requirement.

A Black Man’s Sketch podcast is brought you in part by Shared Influence. Season 3, Episode 2: “COMMUNITY HARM REDUCTION” Ujamaa Place brothers Bryant, Maurice, Kaylan, Antino, Julio and Wes discuss ways to reduce drugs and violence in all forms plaguing the community. They also share what Black History Month means to them. This episode is dedicated to the loving memory of all our Ujamaa brothers lost to violence. Rest in power. Music credits: “On A Mission” by Ujamaa Music Group “Young, Gift and Black” by Nina Simone performed by Thomasina Petrus Listen everywhere you get your podcasts!!!

Recorded in 2018, A Minute In Black History was produced to honor Black History leaders, voiced by leaders in the community. This year's Commemorate Black History & Culture theme of cultivating the BELOVED COMMUNITY is supported by Ujamaa Place, Saint Paul Public Library, MN Humanities Center and Public Art Saint, in partnership with The City of Saint Paul, MN Arts Council, Young Rembrandts and produced by OMG Studios. For more information, go to: https://ujamaaplace.org/commemorate-black-history-culture/ Community Leaders: Monique Linder, Booker T. Washington (founder/CEO OMG Media Solutions) Otis Zanders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (former CEO of Ujamaa Place) Dr. Charles Morgan, Emmit Till (former CEO of Union Gospel Mission) Bukola Oriola, Frederick Douglass (Entrepreneur/Talent) Kaseem Abdul, Mass Incarceration (CEO at Abdur Razzaq Counseling) Johnny Allen, Jr., Poor People's Campaign (owner Johnny Knuckles, Inc.)

A Black Man’s Sketch Season 3, Episode 1 “ADDICTION” with special guest Rashad Hameed, Ujamaa Place Wellness Coach Guest Bio: Rashad is a native of Harlem, New York and a recovering addict in long term sobriety. He has served the Twin Cities and surrounding areas for more than 30 years through his work as a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LADC) and Manager in a culturally based treatment organization (African-American Family Services) and as a Supervisor in Adult and Juvenile Probation in Dakota and Ramsey counties respectively. Rashad holds a BA and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management & Communications from Concordia University. Through the lens of his work, Rashad brings a culturally specific perspective and a clarity of vision, empowering clients to reach needed milestones for their personal growth and development. Rashad is passionate about social justice and repairing the harm that institutional and systemic racism has created in the community he serves.” If you have a question or a topic that you would like us to cover, please contact us at: ABMS@ujamaaplace.org Ujamaa Place is partnering with @SharedInfluence to spread the word about how harm reduction programs can keep communities healthy.

A Black Man's Sketch Season 2, Episode 9 Reflections on Otis Zanders' Retirement with Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington About Commissioner John Harrington John Harrington was appointed commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety by Gov. Tim Walz in January 2019. Prior to his appointment, Harrington served as the Metro Transit Chief of Police for the Twin Cities area, overseeing significant growth of the agency and increasing diversity of the department from 5 to 50 percent. In 1977, Harrington began at the St. Paul Police Department as a patrol officer, working his way up the chain of command. He was selected chief of police in 2004 and served in that role until 2010. As chief, he addressed some of St. Paul’s most difficult problems. This resulted in numerous successes, including the development of innovative programs that have greatly reduced domestic violence and gang involvement. Harrington served as a Minnesota state senator from the east side of St. Paul from 2010 to 2012. Harrington has been on the faculty at Metropolitan State University, Saint Mary’s University, and the University of St. Thomas​, where he has taught Leadership, Demographics, Community Oriented Policing, and Gangs. Harrington is a founding member of the Asian-American and black police officer associations. He helped launch and currently chairs the board at Ujamaa Place, a non-profit agency that works with African-American men to transition them out of prison and gangs to become productive community members. Harrington was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth University and master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas. He is the father of five adult children and has 16 grandchildren, and currently resides in the Twin Cities. About Otis Zanders Otis Zanders retired from his role as CEO of Ujamaa Place on September 30, 2022. Otis Zanders was raised during the Jim Crow era in Mississippi. He was the first in his family to graduate high school. His mother insisted he attend college, to which he obliged and was awarded an academic scholarship to Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN. Zanders credits his mother who instilled a value system based on his African ancestry of love, strength, determination and courage to fight for the most marginalized populations in society. Zanders’ internship with the Minnesota Department of Corrections during his final semester at Gustavus Adolphus College in January 1977, ignited his passion to serve his community by getting proximate to men involved in the criminal justice system and helping to transform their lives. During his nearly 35-year career with the Department of Corrections, Zanders served at various locations around Minnesota and retired as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Red Wing, MN at the end of 2011.In 2012, Zanders decided he was not quite ready to give up service altogether and accepted the role as President/CEO of Ujamaa Place.

Guest Bio: A Senior Grassroots Coordinator for Sphere, Senior Consultant to Alabama Power Company, and Founder/CEO of The Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute, Doris Dozier Crenshaw has over 60 years of community activist experience. In 1955, at the age of 12, Doris served as vice president of the NAACP Youth Council, when Mrs. Rosa Parks was advisor to the Youth Council. After completing her degree at Clark College, she continued her community outreach in Chicago with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Open Housing Campaign. Doris began her professional career as Southern Field Representative for the National Council of Negro Women organizing chapters, designing rural economic programs (credit unions, quilting bees, grocery stores and pig banks), and health and housing programs. In 1977, Doris joined the Carter White House Domestic Policy staff for the Small and Minority Business Issue Division, then moved on to serve as Deputy Director for the 1980 South East Region Carter Presidential Campaign. In the early 1980s, she was Special Assistant to Rev. Jesse Jackson and also served as his Mobilization Director for his Special Projects. In this capacity, Mrs. Crenshaw worked extensively in Washington, DC and nationwide with black businesses for the PUSH Trade Bureau. Doris then served as consultant to Vice President Walter Mondale and was later named National Political Director for the ‘Mondale for President Campaign’ in 1983. In 1985, Doris was asked by Mrs. Coretta Scott King to serve as Director of Mobilization for the First National holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The holiday was officially celebrated in January 1986. Doris was then asked by Mrs. Dorothy Height to serve as the Director of the Mobilization for the First National Black Family Reunion, which was attended by more than 600,000 people, and then served as Director of Mobilization of the Black Family Reunion in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Detroit. In 2008, Doris Crenshaw founded the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute, SYLDI. SYLDI was created to address educational policy issues affecting our community. The organization has a national board of directors consisting of corporate, business, educational and government leaders that serve to engender interactive involvement and sponsorship. The National Board Members assist in identifying resources to promote program excellence and sustainability. Over the years, Mrs. Crenshaw has been recognized and awarded various accolades from organizations around the country, such as, the Montgomery Improvement Association’s “Spirit of Humanity” Award (2005); the B. A. King “Appreciation Award” (2007); CEO Network’s “Cee Global Award of Ethics and Excellence Award (2007); the Perennial Strategy Group’s “Civil Rights Icon Award” (2008); the “Dr. Dorothy I. Height Award for Leadership” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc (2011); “the Legacy Leadership Award for Humanity” Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (2012); and “the Alabama Shining Star Award” from Congresswoman Terry Sewell (2012); her most recent honor was to have life works read into the 2015 United States Congressional Record. Mrs. Crenshaw is a life time member of the NAACP and a life time member of the National Council of Negro Women. She is also a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, First United Church of Christ and serves as an Advisor to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-violent Social Change. The accomplishment that she is most proud of is her daughter, Dr. Kwanza (Mikki) Crenshaw.

A Black Man's Sketch Season 2, Episode 7: Meet Interim CEO Michael Belton Guest Bio Belton has been a tireless advocate for the total elimination of racial and ethnic disparities and disproportions in Minnesota’s justice systems. He has encouraged focused-attention on creating culturally-rooted responses to youth of color, especially African American males. Learn more about Ujamaa Place at: https://ujamaaplace.org.