WPKN acknowledges and joins forces to celebrate Black History Month. During this time of a global pandemic and civil unrest, our programmers are collectively creating an inspirational platform of great music, profound poetry, daily words, and enlightening interviews because WPKN supports and understands that Black Lives Matter.

Stay tuned each day as WPKN’s programmers bring you special music, cultural events, discussions about racial justice, and more. There will be segments about black history throughout each day, and a live poetry slam will take place on the evening of Friday, February 26.

Wednesday, February 24

7:30 PM — East End Ink

We celebrate Black History Month with readings from the work of African-American Writers by Sag Harbor writers and readers presented by the John Jermain Library, the Eastville Historical Society and Canios Books.

East End Ink programs are archived at http://EastEndInk.blogspot.com

Tuesday, February 23

7 to 9 AM — Steve DiCostanzo, Radio Base Camp — African Beats

Monday, February 22

7 to 9 AM — Rob Silber, Rock Therapy — A Stevie Wonder Festival

Saturday, February 20

1 to 4 PM — Michael Dunham, Real Music Real Talk

4 to 7 PM — Mystery Girl, Shut Up & Listen

Navigating Racial Trauma with Dr. Candice Nicole” (Pre-Recorded)- Mystery Girl is joined via phone by Dr. Candice Nicole Hargons, the Founding Director of the Center for Healing Racial Trauma in Kentucky. Dr. Candice Nicole gives insight on what racial trauma is, how it affects the minds and bodies of POC, healthy ways to process and cope, consuming too much traumatic content, different ways to help the movement for social justice, and more.

Friday, February 19

1 to 4 PM — Howard Thompson, Pure Reggae Got Soul

Wednesday, February 17

11:05 pm to 2:00 am — Cheryl Magoveny celebrates Female Jazz Greats.

Tuesday, February 16

7:00 to 9:00 am—Steve di Costanzo Radio Base Camp is All About The Blues.

Monday, February 15

7:00 to 9:00 am—Mark Mushin presents a history of the Blues.

Sunday, February 14

5:30 pm—Mic CheckLeah Penniman, founder of Soul Fire Farm and author of Farming While Black, discusses Afro-Indigenous centered community farms.

Saturday, February 13

4 to 7 PM – Michael Dunham, Black History Month programming

8 PM – Colette Rossignol, Capital Radio: Featuring artists from the early period of R&B, Blues and the early pioneers of RNR. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, etc.

10 PM to 2 AM – Cheryl Magoveny, My Soul from Me to You (Fill-in for Mikki)

Guest host Sam Hooper is an artist from Cleveland. I met Sam in Boston in the ’90s when we both took a lyric writing course. He is a great guitarist and has traveled the world. We haven’t finalized our show yet. Sam and I will play music and after the first hour, I will devote a large part of the show with spoken word. Poems recited by Langston Hughes and I am thinking of airing some of Angela Davis’s talks.

Friday, February 12

10 PM — Mystery Girl Radio: “Black Voices Matter” Messages from Black CT Creatives. Also, the entire show playlist will feature music from black artists exclusively.

Wednesday, February 10

8:00 to 11:00 pm — Michael Dunham celebrates Black History Month

Sunday, February 7

5:30 to 6:00 pm — Mic Check with Cheryl Palmer

“Cinque” featuring two-time Grammy nominee, Steinway Pianist, and Cuban Artist Elio Villa Franca

Thursday, February 4

4:00 to 7:00 pm—Alec Cumming: Snap, Crackle, Pop

A celebration of African-American artists, Part 2

Wednesday, February 3

9:00 am to 12:00 pm—The Carl J. Frano Show

Oldies from African-American artists

4:00 to 7:00 pm—Alec Cumming: Snap, Crackle, Pop

A celebration of African-American artists, Part 1 (Part 2 to follow on Thursday)

11:00 pm to 2:00 am—Cheryl Magoveny: My Soul from Me to You

Celebrating Girl Groups and their influence on American Music. I will be featuring the Bobettes, the Chiffons, the Crystals, the Shirelles, the Ronettes, the Supremes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the Marvelettes, LaBelle, and the Pointer Sisters.

Tuesday, February 2

7:00 to 9:00 am—Steve DiCostanzo, Radio Base Camp

Funk & Soul Train

8:00 to 11:00 pm—Richard Hill, First Tuesday Rainy Day Radio

8:15 pm – Bishop John Selders, co-founder of Moral Mondays CT

8:45 pm – Rev. Scott Marks, leader of New Haven Rising.

Both guests offer their perspectives on the movements that led to a Democratic victory on Nov. 3 and in the special elections in Georgia on Jan. 5. They will also discuss the neo-Confederate, white supremacist, neo-Nazi violence on Jan. 6 and the threat from fascist militias post-inauguration.

Monday, February 1

2:00 to 6:00 am—The A List

Sam Hopkins will feature Martin Luther King Jr’s speech “the three evils of society” and some spiritual jazz music. Monday Morning Motown Madness from 5 am to 6 am.

Noon—What’s Happening New Haven?

Bonnie Lykes will be interviewing Mercy Quay, an African American columnist for the New Haven Register and founder of New Haven’s Narrative Project. She also teaches digital journalism at Connecticut University.

4:00 to 7:00 pm—Steam of Consciousness 

Pete Stewart will present music by artists of African ancestry. He plans to cover genres including Jazz, Blues, Folk, Gospel, R&B, Soul, Rock and Roll, Zydeco, and others.