Eric's Perspective : A podcast series on African American art

In this episode, Eric sits down with civil rights activist and award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. They discuss her childhood - from being born  in South Carolina during segregation, moving frequently as her father was an army chaplain but spending most of her time in Atlanta. Her early education and the values that were instilled in her at a young age that lent to inspiring her to have high aspirations, self-belief an...

In this episode, Eric sits down with pioneering video artist, performing artist and painter Anthony Ramos. They discuss his background - being raised in Providence, Rhode Island and tracing his ancestor’s journey to America from Cape Verde. How he discovered his love for making art at a young age and how his mother and father encouraged his interests. How he cultivated his artistic abilities. How he began his studies as a Political...

In this episode, Eric sits down with Dr. Makeda Best — deputy director of Curatorial Affairs at the Oakland Museum of California…!  She shares how; at a young age became interested in photography… Early exposures and experiences that drew her to studying studio photography at CalArts, to eventually leading her to become a photography historian. How she began to trace the history of African Americans in California — where they settl...

In this episode, Eric sits down with scholar, author & curator Dr. Ethelene Whitmire. They discuss her educational journey, her passion for libraries and working in the library field as a professor of Library Science and getting the resources to the public. How she became attracted to the art field.  Having the opportunity of going to England to study abroad… visiting museums that helped her develop an eye for art. Developing a...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Sam Pace..! They discuss his early life; having been born in Texas but raised in California and his adventures as a young man. How he first discovered his artistic talent… his educational journey, cultivating his artistic abilities and the mentors he’s had along the way from William Pajaud, to Charles Dickson! His passion for and dedication to practicing and mastering Karate....

In this episode, Eric sits down with award winning actress, director and art patron Phylicia Rashad. They discuss her experience of growing up in Houston, Texas during legal segregation, travels with her Family as a young girl. Her early exposure to art through her mother’s many interests and love for art. Her experience of studying Theater at Howard University during a time of social upheaval. Moving to New York City, acting in pl...

In this episode, Eric sits down with philanthropist, entrepreneur and patron of the arts… Bernard Kinsey. They discuss his early life; having been raised in a middle class family in West Palm Beach, Florida. The loving environment that fostered him and instilled in him strong values. His experience of growing-up in a segregated state, attending Florida A&M University and meeting his beloved wife Shirley. His illustrious career ...

In this episode, Eric sits down with actress, filmmaker & artist Angela Robinson Witherspoon. They discuss her early exposure to art and her experience of living in the Netherlands as young girl. How she followed her heart to live a life in the arts. Studying art, taking jobs where she used her artistic abilities, being a model in New York City, to studying acting. How she broke into the entertainment industry and has since cul...

In this episode, Eric sits down with talented and celebrated artist, illustrator and author… Kadir Nelson! They discuss how he first discovered his artistic inclination and how it had been fostered from an early age; having been mentored by artist and art teacher Michael Morris; his uncle. His educational journey in art — having received a scholarship to study art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and upon graduating with highest ...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and accomplished singer, songwriter, filmmaker, author, lecturer and photographer... Byron Motley. They discuss his early years; being raised in Kansas Missouri, his early exposure to music and singing and the love that he developed for performance -- to eventually having a musical career, working on Broadway and performing and recording with such luminaries as Dionne Warwick, Celin...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes. They discuss his experience of growing up in Jamaica and discovering his passion for art. Working in carpentry, to transitioning into sculpture and painting. His unique upbringing and exposure to the Revival culture and spirituality… moving to the United States, his education in the arts and being taught by renowned artists. How he transi...

In this episode, Eric sits down with AAA certified art appraiser, friend and colleague… Pamela Brown. They discuss her educational background and her love of history, research and learning… especially related to African American culture. How she first became interested and exposed to the arts including new and emerging artists. Her educational background, working in the corporate world — to eventually devoting herself to art full-t...

In this episode, Eric sits down with renowned author Peter J. Harris. They discuss his early beginnings; from having been born in Washington D.C, studying journalism at Howard University to eventually pursuing a career as a writer. They discuss his personal life and how he first developed an interest in poetry — meeting influential artists and master poets who inspired him. How poetry served as a vehicle to express himself in order...

In this episode, Eric sits down with Executive Director of the nonprofit Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles; Keasha Dumas Heath. They discuss her passion for storytelling, affinity for poetry and the interconnectivity of the arts. The history and legacy of the museum, including the founder Dr. Samella Lewis… the role that MAAA has played in the community as a cultural institution and sharing African American art and cult...

In this episode, Eric sits down with author, media personality and art collector; Alvin Hall. They discuss his early beginnings — growing up in Florida during the Jim Crow era, his educational journey and early exposures to art. The artists who inspired him and helped cultivate his knowledge and appreciation for the artistic process. How he began collecting black and white photography and prints, his passion for writing, his career...

In this episode, Eric sits down with acclaimed artist Kenneth Gatewood. They discuss the role that his parents played in encouraging him to pursue art and his early beginnings as an artist.  Growing up in South Central LA and the artists that influenced him. Being an artist, managing himself and the importance of presentation. Gatewood’s artistic process, working with watercolor and his signature work; including his iconic "Ba...

In this episode, Eric sits down with artist, curator and professor; Jamaal Sheats. They discuss his background — growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, his interest in the arts, his educational background, attending Fisk University and ultimately ending up at Fisk University as a faculty member! Sheats sheds light on how at first he ‘ran’ from the arts — wanting to be a business major, an entrepreneur but how he ultimately pursued his...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented Christen Austin; California native visual artist. They discuss her early exposures to art, artistic influences and how her Mother is also an artist. She sheds light on her educational background, studying Biology, how it lends to her artistic approach. How she transitioned into becoming a full-time artist and the challenges faced by up and coming artists. She describes her process, ...

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Aiseborn at the Museum of African American Art at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. They discuss how he first began making art that included drawing from comic books, magazines, tv shows and super hero characters to eventually developing into an exhibiting. The various media he uses and his special affinity for graffiti and artists that have influenced him. Gra...