WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

Paul Edwards is the director of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp on the Indiana University campus, originally designed to support historically underserved and underrepresented students with limited opportunities. Its namesake, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., is an astronaut, physician and businessman who was the first African-American to walk in space. Edwards talks about the kids served by the camp and what they learn from their time in Bloomington. Also in this program: financial consultant Kevin Osborne talks taxes on a new edition of our money management segment "Compound Interest". Our featured musical artist is The Holmes Brothers, from the new album "Feed My Soul". Wendell and Sherman (and honorary brother Popsy Dixon) have been serving up a gumbo of gospel, blues, country, funk, reggae, roots rock, and soul for more than thirty years. As always, Bring It On!

Has modern discourse lost its civility? Next week a campus forum on diversity titled “Toward Civil Conversation” explores how we talk to each other, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like racism. Indiana University Diversity Committee members Eric Love and Doug Bauder join us to discuss the forum and its core topics. Also in this program: local TV producer Shameka Neely talks about her documentary following inner-city New York youth on a visit to the Bloomington campus last fall. Her documentary airs this week on WTIU and WFIU. Our featured musical artist is the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the hottest thing to hit the old-time music community in decades. While old-time Southern string music is often associated with whites in Appalachia, the Carolina Chocolate Drops remind us that black folk are a significant part of string tradition. As always, Bring It On!

Our guest is Bloomington native Paul Norris Jr., police chief at IUPUI and former police chief of the Bloomington campus. Norris talks about growing up in Bloomington, his law enforcement career and the challenges and barriers he overcame, and his advice to African-Americans who aspire to pursue a career in law enforcement professionals. During his notable career, Chief Norris also directed security arrangements for U.S. dignitaries including General Colin Powell. Earlier this month, Norris was elected Second Vice President of the Indiana Chiefs of Police Association. Also in this program: the final installment in a special four-part series of our black history segment "Dark Past Bright Future" brings you oral histories from elder African-Americans recalling the days of segregation in Bloomington. This week's segment features an interview with Betty Bridgwaters. As always, Bring It On!

Black History Month - Bloomington Style! The City of Bloomington’s sixth annual celebration of African-American history and culture has been ongoing during this month of February. The month-long festivities will culminate with the annual community-wide Black History Month Gala on February 27 at the downtown Hilton Garden Inn, featuring a silent auction and special presentations to people who make our community unique. Joining us to elaborate more on this month’s gala are 2010 City of Bloomington Black History Month Committee members Duane Smith and Jolaina Parker. Also in this program: the third in a special four-part series of our black history segment "Dark Past Bright Future" brings you oral histories from elder African-Americans recalling the days of segregation in Bloomington. This week's segment features an interview with Dr. Marvin Chandler, patriarch of one of Bloomington's most influential black families. As always, Bring It On!

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is considered one of the country's leading intellectuals of the hip-hop generation. Hill joins us by phone to discuss hip-hop culture and its impact on the African-American community and mainstream America. Dr. Hill presents a lecture in Bloomington Wednesday February 10 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union. Also in this program: the second in a special four-part series of our black history segment "Dark Past Bright Future" brings you oral histories from elder African-Americans recalling the days of segregation in Bloomington. This week's segment features an interview with Betty Newman on social life in local black culture during the years of segregation. Our featured musical selection is the underground hip-hop track "Sphere of Hip-Hop" by Mars ILL, an emcee/DJ hip-hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia. As always, Bring It On!

On the first day of Black History Month we welcome two familiar voices to discuss local events celebrating African-American history and culture. Local BHM committee members Beverly Calender Anderson, director of Bloomington’s Office for Safe and Civil Cities and Doris Sims, assistant director of the City's Housing and Neighborhood Development, join us live in the studio. For the sixth year the city of Bloomington is hosting "Black History Month - Bloomington Style" with a kickoff event February 4th discussing media portrayals of African-Americans. Hear all about ways to celebrate and embrace black culture in Bloomington. Also in this program: the first in a special four-part series of our black history segment "Dark Past Bright Future" brings you oral histories from elder African-Americans recalling the days of segregation in Bloomington. The first segment features an interview with Rose Durson.

With last Monday's observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the official start of Black History Month one week away, now is an excellent time to look at statistics regarding African Americans in the United States. The Indiana Business Research Center in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business offers an in-depth snapshot. We look at African-American statistical measures in population trends, education, voting patterns, income and poverty, and jobs and business with Tanya Hall, analyst at the IBRC. Also in this program, we examine racial disparities in education and employment on a new edition of “Our America”, commentaries on black politics by Indiana University professor Khalil Muhammad. Our featured musical artist is the late Luther Vandross, who sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards during his career. As always, Bring It On!

We look forward to next week's celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with two organizers of local events. Eric Love and David Hummons, members of this year’s MLK celebration committee, share their excitement over this year's theme, "Now is the Time: Making Real the Promise". This year's very special guest of honor is Reverend Jesse Jackson! Also in this program: a new edition of our wellness segment "My Health Matters", recently revived thanks to a partnership with Bloomington Hospital, reveals that obesity is more prevalent in African-Americans than other racial groups. Our featured musical artist is Mint Condition, a group that easily traverses diverse musical styles, able to play anything from jazz and R&B to rock and funk. As always, Bring It On! features regional and national news and a regional calendar highlighting events relevant to the local African-American community. Hosted by Clarence Boone and Cornelius Wright.

Our crew gathers 'round the table to celebrate the holiday season by sharing our family memories and traditions. What are some of your favorite holiday comfort foods? Favorite songs? How has church or your religious practices and traditions influenced your connections to the season? Hosts Jim Sims and Beverly Calender-Anderson, music director Tyren Edenburgh, commentator Cornelius Wright, and producer Clarence Boone reflect on their favorite aspects of holiday celebrations in a very lively program. We also feature Christmas music you won't hear on commercial radio - funkster Bootsy Collins reinvents "Silent Night", and Clarence Carter is your "Back Door Santa". Also in this program: our savvy sistah Leila Randle offers tips for a holiday party that won't break the bank on a New Year's edition of "HomeGurl Shopping", an advice column from one black woman trying to survive in a tough economy. As always, Bring It On!

We discuss the healthcare reform proposals under scrutiny in Washington with a look at how the reform packages serve the needs of African-Americans and other minority populations. Our booked guest Congressman Baron Hill had to cancel in order to chair a committee meeting, and so we welcome his communications director Katie Moreau and legislative assistant Joel Bailey. Get straight talk on the core elements comprising the Affordable Health Care for America Act (the House version of the reform bill) as we ask questions and dispel myths about healthcare reform. Also in this program: Liz Mitchell explores racism and segregation in the early days of Indiana University on a new edition of "Dark Past, Bright Future". Our featured musical track is a smooth R&B version of "The Christmas Song" by Will Downing. As always Bring It On! features regional and national headline news and a regional calendar highlighting events relevant to the local African-American community.