In this episode Ray explores the legacy of Black Children taken as slaves from Africa, growing up on Plantations and their social worth and  development in America

In this episode Ray explores the complex history and relationship between Black Americans and the Native people of America

Ray explores Black leadership from the 40s to present  its challenges and its legacy

Ray explores Black leadership from the emergence of an elite class, with varying perspectives and experiences.

In this episode part 1 of a 3 part series on Black leadership Ray explores the origins of Black influence and authority in America.

In this episode Ray explores the cultural and historical significance of Afro textured hair

In this episode Ray explores the history and complicated relationship with Black Americans and the police

In this episode Ray explores Black American association with the South and why Black are concentrated in urban areas of the country.

In this episode Ray talks about Black American naming practice, history, traditions and conventions from slavery to the 20th century

In this episode Ray completes the long journey of getting his stories heard, tells his life story and puts storytelling in context

In this episode Ray continues to explore his storytelling journey after the Risk show. He talks about his appearance on the Moth Radio hour, a story in Readers Digest and  his performance on Snap Judgment, the impact of this story and his reflections on storytelling.

This episode traces storytelling in African American culture, from its roots in Africa, through the Middle Passage and slavery, and continuing through time until today.  Ray touches on interesting topics like which stories White people hear and which stories are just for “family.”  The episode concludes with Ray’s reflections on his introduction to the art and the first steps in his own journey.

In this episode Ray looks at the origins of a false narrative of Black American  History, its racist origins, the founder of revisionist history regarding the Civil War and Reconstruction, along with its influence on American society today

In this episode Ray examines the nature of Black American assimilation into White culture

What, when, how, and why Blacks learned in the US as well as what others were taught about them, from the slave quarters to HBCU’s.

What happens after death?  Not in the metaphysical, existential sense. But quite literally, what happens after death?  The history of the handling of bodies of Black decedents has been filled with interesting twists and turns, from blatant desecration to unusual rituals. Explore this topic with me in this episode of What's Ray Saying?

This special episode marks a dividing line between the old and new, where you were and where you're going, what was and what will be.  Follow the journey from "seasoning" of slaves, to the life of a domestic worker in the 60's to current questions of assimilation and acculturation.

From the birth of this nation until today, this episode explores the complexities of life as a soldier of color in the US.

This episode is about food stamps and gov'ment cheese, what it meant, how it helped, how we felt about it then, and what we think about it now.

This episode is a literal discussion of skin color- the range of visual nuances of appearances that we consider "Black", how those divisions came to be and their many implications. From the paper bag test and one drop rule to Rachel Dolezal, who is Black and why?

In this premiere episode, Ray details the hardships that Blacks experienced after slavery and explores the themes and patterns of struggle that continued through the generations and into his own life.

This episode contains special music by Beej Gordy Brooks and cameo "appearances" by Kevin Allison and Kristina Wong.

Want to know what this podcast is all about? Listen to Ray, the host, share a little of his vision and focus for the show as well as a little about himself.