Episode 196, of the Tangazo podcast is historical, we are proud to announce that for the first time, in the 200 year history of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, the African American community, has gained racial parity. ----

Newly elected 8th Ward Alderwoman Jami Cox Antwi, brings the number of African American Alderpersons to 7, of the 14 member, St. Louis Board of Aldermen. -----

It gets better, 6th Ward Alderwoman Daniela Velázquez, a rising star on the board of aldermen,with obvious leadership qualities is Latino,making the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, a Majority Minority board for the first time,in the history of the City of St. Louis. -----

14th Ward Alderman Rasheen Lamont Aldridge, the only African American male on the board, joins Dr.Yusef Scoggin Delmar Divine CEO and your Tangazo host Hank Thompson, for an exclusive discussion on the new dynamics, of a Majority Minority St. Louis Board of Aldermen. -----

Tangazo Episode 195, was an excellent intergenerational discussion, originally planned as an African American community response to the death of right wing political activist and media personality Charles Kirk, cofounder of Turning Point, a conservative youth group, closely aligned with MAGA. -----

Tangazo Commentator Tim Person, does an excellent job as host for this multi dimensional,inter generational discussion, with Yusef Scoggin,CEO of Delmar Divine. ----

Tangazo Commentators Social Justice Activist, Reverend Darryl Gregory Gray and Political historian and Senior Editorial Columnist, St. Louis American Newspaper, Michael Wesley Jones.
President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half staff following Kirk's death, an honor that wasn't afforded former President Jimmy Carter, winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. ----

Efforts were then made to stifle any negative comments regarding Charles Kirk," Cancel Culture", including the termination of late night talk host Jimmy Kimmel, for unflattering comments regarding the death of Charles Kirk. Several Airlines pilots and numerous private citizens were terminated and are suspended from their jobs for celebrating the death of Mr. Kirk, are posting negative comments on social media regarding the life and legacy of Charles Kirk. This is something that we as Americans,have never experienced, based on the US Constitution's first amendment, which guarantees Freedom of speech, which is the foundation of the American Democracy. -----

Mr. Kirk was shot and killed September 10th, 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University, leaving a wife and two children. ---

The name Charles Kirk,didn't resonate with the vast majority in the black community, those who were familiar with him, rightly considered him racist, homophobic and xenophobic, based on numerous pronouncements made by Mr. Kirk,against black people, black women, immigrants and transgender people. Expecting anything else from black leadership and the black community, beyond perfunctory condolences,to his widow and family, was absurd to say the least. -----

Tangazo Episode 195, is a compelling thoughtful conversation,that touches upon the plight of African Americans, witnessing the destruction of the American Democracy,also expressing our collective thoughts, on the killing of Charles Kirk and its aftermath. -----

Tangazo 2 Episode 194, is brought to you in part by the St. Louis Black Repertory Theater Company. -----

I can't tell you how proud we are at Tangazo, to be supported by the legendary Ron Himes, founder and Director The St. Louis Black Repertory Theater Company, St.Louis's premier Black Cultural institution. -----

Episode 194, is a delightfully entertaining discussion of the Black Repertory's 49th season opener Rasin, a musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's,iconic play A Rasin in the Sun ,which premiered on Broadway in 1959. ------

The play explores themes of the "American Dream," identity and the struggles of a deferred dream, drawing its title from Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem". Hansberry's play was the first to be produced on broadway by a Black woman and remains a relevant, celebrated and frequently work in American Theater. ------

Joining us in the Delmar Divine studio to discuss Rasin, were St. Louis natives , Robert McNicoles and singer Anita Michelle Jackson, who plays the matriarch of the Younger family, Lena Younger. -----

Jazz Diva Denise Thimes, assumes the role of Lena Younger, in a special performance for one night only, tonight Friday, September 12th. ------

We had a great time talking with McNicoles and Jackson about their careers as musicians and actors. -----

McNicoles is a cellist, who teaches music at Morehouse University. -----

Anita Michelle Jackson is a Jazz Vocalist, who is a graduate of The American and Dramatic Academy and has performed nationally and internationally in theater productions, concerts and workshops. -----

Both actors are excited to be reunited with Black Rep founder and Director Ron Himes, with leading roles in the Black Reps, 49th season opener Rasin, at the Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. ------