Palaver Magazine

Channeling Elvis! Love it!

Sat, 06 Nov 2010 05:37:31 -0400

Channeling Elvis! Love it!

Whodini Performs at Bimbe Cultural Festival in Durham, NC. 2009

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:17:00 -0400

Whodini Performs at Bimbe Cultural Festival in Durham, NC. 2009

When Ties Break by Margaret Norton

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

MARGARET NORTON AT BLUE COFFEE CAFE IN DURHAM (photos by S. McLean)

Margaret Norton inked a memoir that aims to heal families in crisis called“When Ties Break”. Margaret and I sat down at the Blue Coffee Cafe in Durham on a lovely September morning to talk about her book. (click in the tab above to listen)

I had the privilege to be one of the first to interview Margaret about this new release “When Ties Break”. We just happened to be in the same place and because I am never without my recorder, I asked and she agreed to take time away from her booksigning to talk with me. Through our pleasantries, I learned that we both enjoyed a good pastry in the morning. Anyone who kicks of the day with a healthy dose of sugar, is good to go with me.

You can listen to our conversation just click on the above button. Hear how she describes the book and the impact it’s already having on readers. This is a very personal look at one woman’s life, but it is a story that many families can relate to.

I aired this interview during my weekly radio program Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean on WCOM in October to acknowledge Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of the memories Margaret shares in the book were painful for her to relive, but she says that the overall message is one of hope. Click on the button above to hear our interview. Enjoy!

Listen to Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean weekly on Thursday at 10 a.m. (est) on WCOM-LP 103.5 FM or www.wcomfm.org for live streaming.

The Rent is Too Damn High Party! I came across this video, shook...

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:33:00 -0400

The Rent is Too Damn High Party!

I came across this video, shook my head and let out a little chuckle. I love the U.S.A., Freedom of expression is alive and well. By the way, is your rent too damn high?

North Carolina has early voting for the mid-term election. Have you voted? With characters like the Mr. McMillan, I will definitely exercise my right to vote. Cheers!

Who's That Lady? The Hot Dog Lady of course!

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Hot Dog Lady, Carol Passley at 2010 Phoenix Fest in Durham, NC (Photo by Stephenie McLean)

The Hot Dog Lady of Raleigh, NC

Ms. Carol Passley AKA The Hot Dog Lady took a moment during Phoenix Fest inDurham on Saturday, October 2nd to chat with me. Click on the link above to learn more about her and what brought her here from New York to start a thriving business. The Hot Dog Lady has been serving up her trademark Mustard-Ketchup-Chili and Onions in Raleigh for twenty-two years. She is greeted by repeat customers who just can’t get enough of her custom dogs. The Hot Dog Lady was a delight to talk to. I enjoyed the hot dog and especially appreciated her warm spirit. Check her out on Fayetteville Street downtown Raleigh or at your local street fair.

I aired this interview on my radio program Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean on WCOM-FM 103.5 on October 7th. visit www.wcomfm.org to listen Thursday mornings at 10 est.

Phoenix Fest, sponsored by the Phoenix Shopping Centers, is an annual cultural celebration of the business and cultural legacy of Durham’s Hayti community, one of North Carolina’s oldest African American communities. October 2, 2010. Durham, NC. To view the full photo gallery of pictures from Phoenix Fest visit:

http://mcleanimageworks.smugmug.com/Events/Phoenix-Fest-2010/14017259_Ybwd4#1031239367_QcCiB

(Above are pics from Phoenix Fest in Durham. Photos by S. McLean)

"When did you first fall in love with Hip Hop?"

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:30:00 -0400

Pandemonium AKA Gabriel and Charles Martin at the WCOM Studio in Carrboro (photo by S. McLean)

The discussion for this week’s radio program was Hip Hop. Listen to the conversation I had with in-studio guests poet & underground Hip Hop artist Pandemonium AKA Gabriel and documentary filmmaker Charles Martin as they discuss the newly released documentary Words Run Deep. Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean airs weekly on Thursday from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. on WCOM-FM 103.5. Listen via webstreaming at www.wcomfm.org.

HAVE YOU TAUGHT YOUR KIDS ABOUT SCIENCE TODAY?

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Jackie Johnson & The Mop Top Shop Mascot in the MLk Parade in Durham. (photo by Stephenie McLean)

Jackie Johnson, founder and president of The Mop Top Shop, and Christopher Hawkins, the representative for the mascot Mop Top, stopped by the WCOM-FM radio station in Carrboro to talk about her science and technology programs for African American males.

Meet Jackie and hear how she turned a class project for her master’s degree program into a business that engages middle and high school students in science.

Through an interactive web site www.moptopshop.com, summer camps and a cast of characters that include Mop Top, Lollipop and Flip Flop, her students create multi-media applications through a hands-on learning approach. Click on the tab above to hear the interview.

This interview originally aired on the radio program Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean. Soul Palaver airs weekly on Thursday from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. on WCOM-FM 103.5. Listen via webstreaming at www.wcomfm.org.

WIND ME UP CHUCK!

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Chuck Brown at the African American Cultural Festival. Raleigh, NC (photos by S. McLean)

I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Chuck Brown after his performance at the African American Cultural Festival in Raleigh September 5th. He was the headliner and did not disappoint. Well into his 70’s, Mr. Brown can still bring it. The stirred up the crowd with old favorites that brought them to their feet and had moving to the “Go-Go” beat. This fun loving crowd was well over 1000 in number, quite a success for a first-time festival held during Labor Day weekend, and everyone seemed to be just as excited to see this living legend no matter how young or young at heart.

Chuck Brown talked to me about his new 3 cd/dvd release “We Got This” as well as how he developed his groundbreaking sound. Click on the button above and hear the interview for yourself. When you hear Chuck speak, his voice, with all of its gravely goodness, reverberates throughout your whole being. He was very gracious in granting the interview as he was very much spent after giving such an outstanding performance. I was very excited to speak with him, as you can tell from the picture of me and Chuck Brown below (photo by Steve Worthy). Cheers!

My interview with Chuck Brown originally aired on September 9th on, Soul Palaver with Stephenie McLean, which broadcasts on WCOM radio 103.5-FM. Check me out on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Listen via web streaming at www.wcomfm.org .