Episodes
July 5, 2021
Back to the Office?
The US labor department recently reported that 4 million people quit their jobs in one month. It’s the highest number of resignations in two decades, and it’s happening as companies are requiring employees to return to the of...
June 28, 2021
Vibrancy Health & Wellness
Maxie Blasini is a health coach who knows that real quality health care has to be about more than treating illness and being accessible only when someone is sick. In this episode of SoCal Voices, Maxie discusses the experienc...
June 21, 2021
Listening Post Collective
The Listening Post Collective offers resources, tools, peer-to-peer support and a shared learning space for journalists, newsroom leaders and community groups looking to revitalize their local news and information ecosystems....
June 14, 2021
From Teacher to Author
When she first started writing, no one suspected that Celeste Barclay was penning what she calls “R-rated historical romance novels.” She didn’t tell anyone what she was doing. But the teacher turned author knows what she’s d...
May 26, 2021
Conversation with a candidate: Keri Then
In a special election on November 2, voters in the city of Moreno Valley’s second district will choose their next representative on the city council. Keri Then — a past Commissioner on the Riverside County Commission on Women...
May 12, 2021
Shifting demographics and the fight against racism
The rising majority in southern California and across the nation is more racially diverse than ever. This group’s impact on society is becoming more evident every day. That’s a long overdue change for some but for others, the...
May 5, 2021
A leader with heart
Rachel Shemirani is a leader with heart. As Senior Vice President for Barons Market in San Diego, Rachel has worked hard to help create a community-oriented company that leaves a positive impact on workers and patrons. In thi...
April 29, 2021
Beyond the Verdict
With the guilty verdict in the Derrick Chauvin trial now behind us, what’s next in the push for equity and justice? Corey Jackson, founder and director of the Center Against Racism and Trauma (CART), and Janice Rooths of Anti...
April 28, 2021
Inlandia Institute
As Executive Director of Inlandia Institute, Cati Porter oversees a special gem in southern California’s Inland Empire. An advocate and supporter of literary arts, Inlandia publishes books and programs that deepen people’s aw...
April 21, 2021
Myra Washington
In this episode of SoCal Voices, Angela Ross chats with singer and DJ Myra Washington. Originally from Port Arthur, TX, Myra followed her dreams to come to Los Angeles and pursue a music career. It wasn’t always easy but her ...
April 14, 2021
A Conversation with James Harris
In the final installment of her series on local, self-published, African American authors, Angela Ross speaks with James Otis Harris, author of Corey’s Courtroom. The book is a series of fun stories helping kids resolve confl...
April 7, 2021
A Conversation with James Coats
In the third installment of SoCal Voices’ local African American author series, we meet James Coats, a poet with a deep, abiding love and message to share. Learn more about his work and perspective and what’s coming next for ...
March 31, 2021
A Conversation with Monica Woodruff
The second installment in Angela’s series on local African American self-published authors features Monica Woodruff. She brings her lived experience, including her roles in law enforcement and counseling to her writing and sh...
March 24, 2021
A Conversation with Dwayne Shigg
Angela kicks off her series on local African American self-published authors with a fun interview with Dwayne Shigg, author of the book EncourageMINTS for Tough Times. Sometimes you need a breath mint; sometimes you need an e...
March 17, 2021
Ginny Luke on the future of live music
Live music performances? There is almost no such thing during the pandemic. If music lovers have missed attending concerts, musicians have missed performing even more. On this edition of SoCal Voices, electric violinist and v...
March 10, 2021
Be Ready: The case for pre-need planning
As the pandemic continues to claim lives in southern California, many families find themselves scrambling to pay for funeral and burial services. This sudden, unexpected need can leave grieving families more vulnerable to agg...
March 3, 2021
Sheree Brown
Throughout her career, award-winning singer, songwriter, musician and producer Sheree Brown has collaborated with multiple artists including Patrice Rushen, Zhane and Syreeta Wright. Her latest work, a music and literary proj...
Feb. 24, 2021
Greg and Gina Lee
For over a decade, Greg Lee served as the City of Riverside’s economic development manager. For 13 years he served as the City’s Technology Ombudsman where, among other things, he spearheaded several of the City’s technology ...
Feb. 17, 2021
Food Insecurity in the IE
In San Bernardino and Riverside counties, over 400,000 people experience food insecurity. One in four children in the Inland Empire is food insecure and the pandemic has only made things worse. In this episode of SoCal Voices...
Feb. 10, 2021
Ending Child Marriage and Sex Trafficking
Rima Nashashibi is the founder and president of the Orange County based nonprofit GlobalHope 365, dedicated to ending harmful practices toward women and girls such as Child Marriage and Sex Trafficking. In this edition of SoC...
Feb. 3, 2021
A Conversation with Noble Drakoln
Noble Drakoln is a crowdfunding and capital raising consultant who knows his way around trading, commodities, crypto coin and more. In his late teens, he was homeless, but his strong interest in commodities and futures and a...
Jan. 20, 2021
Insurrection and Accountability
In this edition of SoCal Voices, San Bernardino native Brandon Watts, a first year law student at Howard University, shares his thoughts about the January 6 insurrection, double standards in policing, and whether equity can b...
Jan. 18, 2021
My Thoughts on the Insurrection
The storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 showed the glaring and undeniable difference in how white and Black Americans are treated by law enforcement. The good news? Acts like these only push seekers of ju...
Dec. 2, 2020
Breathe Again with TM
For Black people dealing with the generational trauma of systemic racism, 2020 has added a hefty dose of uncertainty, anxiety and stress to daily living, all of which can take a heavy toll on overall health and well-being. In...