Saturday, February 7 | 6am to 6pm | 94.1 FM and KPFA.org
A full day of interviews, music, documentaries, and powerful stories from Pacifica Radio Archives, alongside voices you know and voices you have never heard before.
This year’s theme centers knowledge, progress, and liberation.
Acknowledging the past.
Progressing in the present.
Planting seeds for the future because we are here to stay.
Tune in. Reflect. Celebrate.
HERE TO STAY
KPFA’s Celebration of Black History and Culture
2026
6AM – 9AM
THE GOSPEL EXPERIENCE
In this special Black History presentation, Miz April features a segment highlighting Jester Hairston, a beloved choral director, actor and ambassador who was a leading expert in Negro Spirituals and choral music. His arrangements were sung by colleges and churches worldwide, and his film credits began in 1936 with Greener Pastures, and ended shortly before his death in 2000. We salute his tireless efforts in sharing the power and beauty of the Black spiritual heritage.
Miz April (aka April M Wright), host of The Gospel Experience, is an award-winning actor, singer, and choir director. Her production company, Symphony Enterprises, offers outstanding musical productions in the Bay Area.
The Gospel Experience can be heard every Saturday morning from 6–9AM.
9AM – 10AM
RONALD ELDER FREEMAN: BLACK PANTHER & LIFE-LONG ACTIVIST
Photo credit: Susanna Lamiana
Walter Turner, chair of the Social Sciences Dept of the College of Marin, and host of Africa Today, spoke with Elder Freeman shortly before his passing, about life in the inner circle of the Black Panther Party, the political influences then and now, and his life as an activist.
Africa Today can be heard on Monday evenings at 7.
10AM – 11AM
ISABEL WILKERSON AND THE GREAT MIGRATION
From the Pacifica Radio Archives, Isabel Wilkerson, shares stories about her research and experiences while writing her award winning, New York Times bestselling book, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration – which documents the lives of three Black Americans (representing the six million) who moved from the South to the North and West in search of better lives.
11AM – 12PM
HIP-HOP: FROM CONSCIOUS TO CORPORATE
D-Minor and Thomas Jay, hosts of Let’s Talk Music, discuss hip hop’s Black consciousness and Afrocentrism before its corporate takeover.
Both D-Minor and Thomas Jay are Bay Area natives, with a love of all things music that manifests in their individual and collective work as DJs, Producers, and Hosts. Catch them on Sunday nights at 8 for Let’s Talk Music, and on JaZzLine SESSIONS the fourth Saturday of every month. You can also connect with Thomas Jay on Saturdays at 11PM inside The Soul Suite.
12PM – 2PM
THE FREEDOM RIDERS
Stanley Nelson’s Emmy Award winning documentary recounts the organization, intentions and lasting influence of mostly young college students who challenged segregation in the Deep South in 1961. Although they were prepared, no one truly expected the degree of violence they encountered. In this documentary, you hear the voices of those who were involved, during the experience and later, sharing exactly what happened.
Stanley Nelson is “the foremost chronicler of the African American experience in nonfiction film today”. He is a MacArthur ‘Genius’ Fellow, and in 2016 received a Peabody Award for his body of work.
KPFA gratefully acknowledges his permission to air the audio portion of The Freedom Riders.
2PM – 4PM
JaZzLine SESSIONS
Host Afrikahn Jahmal Dayvs begins this Black History edition of JaZzLine SESSIONS with guest producer Jeannine Etter in conversation with Dr. Greg Carr, Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Chair of the Dept of Afro-American Studies at Howard University. The little known facts and insightful observations shared about Black History and its Celebration are thought provoking and profoundly interesting.
Also featured in this program is a collection of fascinating mini-profiles of unsung heroes whose lives and contributions we acknowledge and celebrate. These clips were generously shared by BlackFeelings494.
Jeannine Etter is a multi-talented writer, editor, audio producer and event producer, to list a few of her many accomplishments. She was trained in audio skills through the KPFA Apprenticeship Program, and wore many hats during her years here, including board operating, hosting/interviewing, and producing. We’re grateful to say that she inaugurated and produced the formative years of the KPFA Black History Special presentations.
Afrikahn Jahmal Dayvs has many years of experience in radio & tv production. He is currently host/producer of JaZzLines SESSIONS and CEO of JaZzLine INSTITUTE, a community based organization that preserves, maintains and fosters the cultural heritage of the African-American Musical Diaspora.
JaZzLine SESSIONS airs Saturdays 2–4PM.
4PM – 5PM
THE WORLD FAMOUS SHOW’s MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO ROBERTA FLACK
The Almighty DJ CJ Flash and DJ Big Russ present the inimitable Roberta Flack’s greatest hits and collaborations in this hour of nothing but her music!
The World Famous Show brings together two Bay Area legends, Russell “DJ Big Russ” Gatewood and Chris “The Almighty DJ CJ Flash” Jourdan-el, whose combined talents have shaped the region’s music scene for decades. Together, their synergy fuels The World Famous Show, an entertainment powerhouse renowned for its ability to electrify audiences from intimate gatherings to international stages. Find out more about The World Famous Show on Facebook and Instagram, and on TikTok @almightycjflash.
5PM – 6PM
DAVEY D AND JELANI COBB DISCUSS HIS NEW BOOK
“THREE OR MORE IS A RIOT: NOTES ON HOW WE GOT HERE: 2012 – 2025”
A riveting conversation about the multitude of things so many of us don’t know or have forgotten about the social movements and historical events that have led to today’s political and moral crisis. Truly eye opening.
Jelani Cobb is a writer, author, educator, and Dean of the Columbia Journalism School. The author of several books, he has been a Pulitzer Prize nominee for commentary.
Davey D is a nationally recognized journalist, adjunct professor, Hip Hop Historian, producer, deejay, and community activist. His syndicated talk show, Hard Knock Radio, airs Monday through Thursday at 4PM.