KPFTOJ

Jan Huff is a mother and wife and independent entrepreneur and spirit who came upon an impending health crisis a few years ago. She challenged herself to turn things around -and did so, The result of her self-discovery became her 24 hour dietary challenge that is one of the core elements of her creation- SYOLife, which means Save Your Own Life. Jan joins us on this episode of OJ to talk about her path to wellness, the challenges and discoveries she made on the way - and to offer us all an opportunity to gain a better perspective and control of our own well-being and to even save our own lives. She is also a friend of OJ

The Houston Women’s March will bring together women and allies for a peaceful protest on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Participants will gather at Discovery Green and then march to Houston City Hall beginning at 9 a.m. The event will also include voter registration stations, speakers, and musical performances. The march will serve as a peaceful protest of dire current events in Texas, including Senate Bill 8, which is tantamount(equivalent)to an unconstitutional ban on abortion; recently passed voter suppression laws; redistricting measures; discriminatory proposals harming the trans community; the inhumane treatment of immigrants along the border and throughout the state; attacks on Asian Americans; and more. Joining us to add some detail and background information are Robin Paoli and Chris Caldwell. Robin is a 6 generation Texan. Robin volunteers and serves as president of the executive committee behind the group. Chris Caldwell is a newcomer to Houston. They are a 27 year old Dallas native who has always been passionate about human rights and protecting the arts. After college, they went to New York City and has been an active part of queer organizing in the Brooklyn area. They are now the VP of a grassroots organization, Hoochies of Houston.

This month marks one year since the horrific police murder of Houston’s George Floyd in Minneapolis, a galvanizing moment for the Black Lives Matter movement and the cause of racial justice in the United States and across the world. Open Journal has presented a series of discussions on race and racism over the course of time, especially this past year. Cherry Steinwender is founder and co-director of the Houston-based Center for the Healing of Racism - dedicated to the healing of racism through education and empowerment since 1989. Joel Goza is a Houston-based writer, minister and advocate. His first book, “America’s Unholy Ghosts: The Racist Roots of Our Faith and Politics” - is an examination of the religious and secular thinkers who inspired our Founding Fathers and leaders’ addiction to racist and classist ideas.

A conversation with Tracie Jae: The Quiet Rebel

A conversation about the legendary Montrose restaurant store: AL Quick Stop

Tierney Malone is a visual artist and storyteller who uses African-American history and pop culture to create mixed media works that challenge contemporary culture and politics. Additionally, Malone is the creator of the Jazz Church of Houston and is host of the Houston Jazz Spotlight on 90.1 KPFT every Wednesday afternoon from 4-6pm. Tierney has exhibited his art widely throughout Texas and the United States. Born in LA, raised in Miss. and Ala. and based in Houston’s historic Third Ward, he considers himself a Southern Seed. We consider him a friend and are happy to have this conversation with him today.

The Texas Tribune is the only member-supported, digital-first, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Erin Douglas is the environment reporter for the Texas Tribune. She was previously a business and economy reporter at the Houston Chronicle where she covered labor, energy and the environment. Before moving to Texas, Erin worked as an intern at Bloomberg in New York and at The Denver Post, her hometown newspaper.

The COVID-19 Wall of Memories is the brainchild of Mohammed Nasrullah. Observing the steady rise in the numbers of sick and dead from the disease, he began thinking of a way to memorialize them, to keep them from being merely statistics. When the United States reached 100,000 deaths, he felt called to action, to create something to remember and honor their lives. Mohammed imagined a digital version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. He shared his vision with his wife, Ruth, a freelance journalist who proposed that the website also provide context and details through a news and analysis page. Mohammed’s brother added his software design skills and the Covid-19 Wall of Memories was begun.

Julia Lewis has been organizing within the climate movement for 2 years. She is a junior at St. Catherine's Montessori High School, and also works on the Actions Team at Sunrise Houston. Vidya Muthupillai(moo-two-pee-lie) has been involved in the climate movement for the past 4 years. She is currently a senior
at Glenda Dawson High School and a youth organizer in other issues as well.
Devin Guevara is a senior at Sharpstown International School. He joined the climate movement back in 2019, and has been working to advance a comprehensive solution to the climate crisis ever since.
All three are co-general coordinators of Houston Youth Climate Strike.

Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world. This 155-acre urban nature sanctuary plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival. Conservation Director Stephen Benigno and Education Director Tiffany Ritter are with us to tell us more about the urban oasis in the heart of the city.