KMOJ's Community Viewpoint

KayCyy has made a business out of vibes. Infusing surrealistic soundscapes with metallic vocals and impressionistic lyrics that spill out like secrets, the 24-year-old GRAMMY-winning ,Kenyan born, Minnesota native merges confidence with clandestine cool, delivering sleek, immersive songs for a new generation of ragers. He blends those gifts wherever he goes, from Ye’s Donda—where he made multiple contributions—to “Flew By You,” a dreamlike single.

Disruptive Narratives highlight people impacted by history and systemic processes of neglect and disinvestment but may not have a seat at the table and may not feel seen. This is space for people radically re-imagining a path forward but not necessarily a space for those who are unpersuaded by the need for a better world where Black futures matter. We are focused on sharing perspectives that are often unshared or unheard because they challenge what we think we know. In this program, guests are the experts of their own reality.Stayci Bell is a daughter, mother, grandmother, gardener, photographer, actress, puppeteer, healer, leader and story tell. Stayci defines her self as an Everything-ist. Her work has been on Nicollet Mall, in church basements, in homeless shelters, and in the Guthrie Theater as part of Zamia Theater. Stayci is a grower of plants and people.

Disruptive Narratives highlight people impacted by history and systemic processes of neglect and disinvestment but may not have a seat at the table and may not feel seen. This is space for people radically re-imagining a path forward but not necessarily a space for those who are unpersuaded by the need for a better world where Black futures matter. We are focused on sharing perspectives that are often unshared or unheard because they challenge what we think we know. In this program, guests are the experts of their own reality.Stayci Bell is a daughter, mother, grandmother, gardener, photographer, actress, puppeteer, healer, leader and story tell. Stayci defines her self as an Everything-ist. Her work has been on Nicollet Mall, in church basements, in homeless shelters, and in the Guthrie Theater as part of Zamia Theater. Stayci is a grower of plants and people.

Disruptive Narratives highlight people impacted by history and systemic processes of neglect and disinvestment but may not have a seat at the table and may not feel seen. This is space for people radically re-imagining a path forward but not necessarily a space for those who are unpersuaded by the need for a better world where Black futures matter. We are focused on sharing perspectives that are often unshared or unheard because they challenge what we think we know. In this program, guests are the experts of their own reality.Today in part two of a two-part episode, Dr. Lewis discusses their experiences in academia. Dr. Moten is a Black Feminist Historian who specializes in 20th Century United States and Women’s/Gender History with a specialization in African American Women’s History. She recently authored the book Continually Working, which tells the stories of Black working women who resisted employment inequality in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Disruptive Narratives highlight people impacted by history and systemic processes of neglect and disinvestment but may not have a seat at the table and may not feel seen. This is space for people radically re-imagining a path forward but not necessarily a space for those who are unpersuaded by the need for a better world where Black futures matter. We are focused on sharing perspectives that are often unshared or unheard because they challenge what we think we know. In this program, guests are the experts of their own reality.Today in part one of a two-part episode, Dr. Lewis discusses their experiences in academia. Dr. Moten is a Black Feminist Historian who specializes in 20th Century United States and Women’s/Gender History with a specialization in African American Women’s History. She recently authored the book Continually Working, which tells the stories of Black working women who resisted employment inequality in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from the 1940s to the 1970s.

New Beginnings welcomes Unity South Twin Cities, The Cora McCorvey Health and Wellness Center and West Metro Hypnosis. Freddie Bell and Joe McKenzie share exciting details on how to convert your unpaid work experience forward in reinventing your career. Hear about The Selby Jazz festival kicking off this weekend.

Louis King of the African American Community Response Team, Community Leaders, Governor Tim Walz and Education Commissioners hold a Townhall discussing education disparities and solutions. The discussion centers on ways the State can get involved with direct help to students of color.

KMOJ continues doing its part to foster safe communities and also to help it heal following the aftermath of the George Floyd murder. Listen to a short montage of KMOJ's work-product taken from live interviews and public service announcements.

Housing First: KMOJ explores Housing Challenges and Opportunities, So Our Community Can Thrive – Hour 2The program continues the exploration of how housing challenges affect people in our communities from Hour 1. In this program, we look at what is now being done to mediate the effects of these historical inequities, and current efforts to create more affordable housing in the twin cities, as well as what is being done to end homelessness in our communities. In February of 2020, KMOJ hosted a live community conversation, moderated by KMOJ’s Zannie K, and featuring researcher Dr. Brittany Lewis, legal aid attorney Joey Dobson, Ward 5 Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, and former executive director the of MPHA, Tracey Scott. The program also highlights the voices and stories of many community members speaking about their housing challenges and opportunities. The event on February 4th, 2020 took place at the Cora McCorvey Health & Wellness Center and was hosted by KMOJ and Twin Cities PBS. KMOJ’s “Housing First” programming was made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund. Twin Cities PBS received funding from The Pohlad Family Foundation to help support this event. **

The program features: Daniel Bergin, a filmmaker and longtime producer with Twin Cities PBS, speaking about his film “Jim Crow of the North”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWQfDbbQv9EResearchers from Mapping Prejudice speaking about their project which visualizing the hidden histories of race and privilege in the urban landscape. https://www.mappingprejudice.org/ We hear from Laronda Lake about her path out of homelessness. We hear from Lorrhonda Byrd, MHHA, Program Coordinator at The Link Minnesota. http://www.thelinkmn.org/Neeraj Mehta, Director of Learning for the McKnight Foundation, shares key insights about housing policies and their impact on residents. And we hear from Seanne Thomas, with ABC REALTY, LLC, and the East Side Development Corporation.KMOJ’s “Housing First” programming was made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Culture Heritage Fund.

KMOJ Hosts Chantel SinGs and Freddie Bell shine a light on how sex trafficking hurts women and our communities. The program explores the causes behind this violent and illegal economy. And how some brave survivors are finding freedom. The program features interviews with Breaking Free survivors, Rev. Alika Galloway and the survivors' group at Liberty Community Church, UROC (Lauren Martin), a trucker with Brenny Trucking in St. Cloud (Truckers against Trafficking), Logan Tootle (MWIRC), Josh Waltzing from Alexandria (Men as Peacemakers) and more. This programming was made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.