This special episode explores the incredible legacy of businessman and visionary philanthropist Julius Rosenwald. How he was born to German Jewish immigrants, rose to become the President of Sears Roebuck and the meaningful way that his legacy continues to live on and have meaningful impact to this day…! Inspired by the Jewish ideals of tzedakah (c…

In this episode, Eric sits down with civil rights activist and award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault. They discuss her childhood - from being born in South Carolina during segregation, moving frequently as her father was an army chaplain but spending most of her time in Atlanta. Her early education and the values that were instilled in he…

In this episode, Eric sits down with pioneering video artist, performing artist and painter Anthony Ramos. They discuss his background - being raised in Providence, Rhode Island and tracing his ancestor’s journey to America from Cape Verde. How he discovered his love for making art at a young age and how his mother and father encouraged his interes…

In this episode, Eric sits down with Dr. Makeda Best — deputy director of Curatorial Affairs at the Oakland Museum of California…! She shares how; at a young age became interested in photography… Early exposures and experiences that drew her to studying studio photography at CalArts, to eventually leading her to become a photography historian. How …

In this episode, Eric sits down with scholar, author & curator Dr. Ethelene Whitmire. They discuss her educational journey, her passion for libraries and working in the library field as a professor of Library Science and getting the resources to the public. How she became attracted to the art field. Having the opportunity of going to England to stu…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Sam Pace..! They discuss his early life; having been born in Texas but raised in California and his adventures as a young man. How he first discovered his artistic talent… his educational journey, cultivating his artistic abilities and the mentors he’s had along the way from William Pajaud, t…

In this episode, Eric sits down with award winning actress, director and art patron Phylicia Rashad. They discuss her experience of growing up in Houston, Texas during legal segregation, travels with her Family as a young girl. Her early exposure to art through her mother’s many interests and love for art. Her experience of studying Theater at Howa…

In this episode, Eric sits down with philanthropist, entrepreneur and patron of the arts… Bernard Kinsey. They discuss his early life; having been raised in a middle class family in West Palm Beach, Florida. The loving environment that fostered him and instilled in him strong values. His experience of growing-up in a segregated state, attending Flo…

In this episode, Eric sits down with actress, filmmaker & artist Angela Robinson Witherspoon. They discuss her early exposure to art and her experience of living in the Netherlands as young girl. How she followed her heart to live a life in the arts. Studying art, taking jobs where she used her artistic abilities, being a model in New York City, to…

In this episode, Eric sits down with talented and celebrated artist, illustrator and author… Kadir Nelson! They discuss how he first discovered his artistic inclination and how it had been fostered from an early age; having been mentored by artist and art teacher Michael Morris; his uncle. His educational journey in art — having received a scholars…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and accomplished singer, songwriter, filmmaker, author, lecturer and photographer... Byron Motley. They discuss his early years; being raised in Kansas Missouri, his early exposure to music and singing and the love that he developed for performance -- to eventually having a musical career, working o…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated artist Bernard Stanley Hoyes. They discuss his experience of growing up in Jamaica and discovering his passion for art. Working in carpentry, to transitioning into sculpture and painting. His unique upbringing and exposure to the Revival culture and spirituality… moving to the United …

In this episode, Eric sits down with AAA certified art appraiser, friend and colleague… Pamela Brown. They discuss her educational background and her love of history, research and learning… especially related to African American culture. How she first became interested and exposed to the arts including new and emerging artists. Her educational back…

In this episode, Eric sits down with renowned author Peter J. Harris. They discuss his early beginnings; from having been born in Washington D.C, studying journalism at Howard University to eventually pursuing a career as a writer. They discuss his personal life and how he first developed an interest in poetry — meeting influential artists and mast…

In this episode, Eric sits down with Executive Director of the nonprofit Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles; Keasha Dumas Heath. They discuss her passion for storytelling, affinity for poetry and the interconnectivity of the arts. The history and legacy of the museum, including the founder Dr. Samella Lewis… the role that MAAA has played…

In this episode, Eric sits down with author, media personality and art collector; Alvin Hall. They discuss his early beginnings — growing up in Florida during the Jim Crow era, his educational journey and early exposures to art. The artists who inspired him and helped cultivate his knowledge and appreciation for the artistic process. How he began c…

In this episode, Eric sits down with acclaimed artist Kenneth Gatewood. They discuss the role that his parents played in encouraging him to pursue art and his early beginnings as an artist. Growing up in South Central LA and the artists that influenced him. Being an artist, managing himself and the importance of presentation. Gatewood’s artistic pr…

In this episode, Eric sits down with artist, curator and professor; Jamaal Sheats. They discuss his background — growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, his interest in the arts, his educational background, attending Fisk University and ultimately ending up at Fisk University as a faculty member! Sheats sheds light on how at first he ‘ran’ from the art…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented Christen Austin; California native visual artist. They discuss her early exposures to art, artistic influences and how her Mother is also an artist. She sheds light on her educational background, studying Biology, how it lends to her artistic approach. How she transitioned into becoming a full-time …

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented artist Aiseborn at the Museum of African American Art at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles. They discuss how he first began making art that included drawing from comic books, magazines, tv shows and super hero characters to eventually developing into an exhibiting. The various media he…

In this episode, Eric sits down with Lauren Cross, Ph.D Gail-Oxford Associate Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Huntington. They discuss how she was encouraged to express herself artistically as a young girl and that she comes from a creative family. Her educational journey; interdisciplinary studio art background including photography, di…

African American art specialist and owner of the renowned M. Hanks Gallery; Eric Hanks — offers his perspective on African American art through in-depth conversations with fellow art enthusiasts… on the past, present & future of African American art. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com African American art specialist and owner of the renowned …

In this episode, Eric sits down with Los Angeles based Postwar & Contemporary sculptor Charles Dickson. They discuss his first exposure to art, how he was specifically drawn to carving at a very young age to, eventually become a child prodigy.. his educational path, involvement in various organizations and the great artists who inspired and mentore…

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist, actor & singer; Suesan Stovall. They discuss how she first became exposed to the arts and artists and the role her family played in surrounding her with art and immersing her into the art world. They discuss her artistic journey -- beginning with acting and the performing arts; her training and education an…

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist and educator La Monte Westmoreland. They discuss his experience of growing up in Wisconsin, his early exposure to art and what lead him to move to Los Angeles.. his educational background, to serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam war and what eventually lead him into an impressive career as an art e…

In this episode, Eric speaks with Sandra Jackson-Dumont — director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. They discuss her experience of growing up in San Francisco, her initial exposure and relationship to art.. her academic journey and what eventually lead her into a career path in the art and museum world. Her distinctly creative approach…

In this episode, in this episode, Eric sits down with rapper, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, activist and founder of Think Watts... STIX aka "Watts Stix"! They discuss his family history and how they first settled in Watts, California and the impactful cultural figures that have emerged from the region throughout history. How he first began ma…

In this episode, Eric sits down with accomplished musician, composer, essayist and abstract artist Todd Cochran. They discuss how he was born in San Francisco and raised in a household of deep love for the arts; filled with music and conversations about art and culture. Growing up in the Lakeview district; a largely Black but racially mixed neighbo…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the legendary artist Artis Lane… where they discuss her life as a young girl having emigrated from Canada to Michigan and formative experiences she had that later informed her artwork. They discuss her travels as a young adult to South Africa and exposure to apartheid.. Her prolific and celebrated artistic caree…

In this episode, Eric sits down with multidisciplinary artist and activist Yrneh Gabon who opens up about growing up in Jamaica, how his passion for art and expression grew, studying art, music and theatre as a young boy.. to eventually competing in national competitions, leaving school and entering the professional world of filmmaking, art and per…

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist, gallerist, teacher & advocate Alonzo Davis; where they discuss Davis’ childhood; growing up in a community of educators near Tuskeege University campus in Alabama, to moving to Los Angeles as a teen… his education in the arts and a life changing road trip that he took with is brother, Dale where they visite…

In this episode Eric sits down with the wonderful author Lynne Thompson where they discuss her childhood, family roots and fascination with African American history. How she transitioned from being a lawyer, to eventually following her dream to write and become a poet. They discuss how Thompson was recently appointed Poet Laureate for the City of L…

In this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Richard Wyatt Jr. about how he first discovered art at a young age and becoming a prodigy. He describes his educational journey and experience whilst studying at the Watts Towers Art Center and being mentored by great artists... his connection with music and how it relates to art, his passion for …

In this episode, Eric speaks with historian, scholar and advocate Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson who talks about her family tree, history and the journey of her ancestors who migrated to and settled in Los Angeles, the African American experience in Southern California during the twentieth century during the Jim Crow era and how this changed California.…

In this episode, Eric speaks with the delightful scholar, writer and curator Dr. Bridget R. Cooks; who shares about how she became fascinated with art and exposed to museums at a young age and how it inspired her to become involved in the art world. They discuss how she explored many paths from becoming an artist.. to having found her direction; a …

In this episode, Eric speaks with Robert C. Davidson, Jr; successful entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist. He and Eric discuss his experience as a young boy; growing up in the Jim Crow era of the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee and how his parents were both entrepreneurs and great inspirations to him: His mother opened a restaurant for black …

In this episode, Eric speaks with Kristin Sakoda; director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, where they discuss her journey in the arts; beginning as a child performer in Chicago, to professional dancer in New York with the Urban Bush Women dance company to performing in musicals on Broadway including the famed show Rent.. t…

In this episode, Eric speaks with artist Mark Steven Greenfield; about his journey and education in the arts and the great artists who mentored him. They discuss his experience of growing up and living in the Philippines and Germany and how that shaped his outlook on life and ideas of racism and oppression. They discuss his body of work that deals …

In this episode, Eric speaks with art and culture nonprofit consultant Charmaine Jefferson who talks about how her passion for the arts came about; from training in ballet and tap dance as a child and always having been surrounded by art — her uncle renowned artist John Riddle, her brother who is an artist and her aunt who had an artistic inclinati…

In this episode, Eric speaks with celebrated artist Gustave Blache III who talks about his journey as an artist; his education, working with gallerists and establishing his unique style of painting -- combining traditional painting methods of portraiture with journalism in a brand of art which he affectionately terms, Visual Journalism: series of p…

In this episode, Eric speaks with renowned actress, collector, activist and art patron CCH Pounder; who talks about her passion of the arts and opens up about the dilemma she once faced about as a young girl -- on whether to pursue acting or become a visual artist. Although she decided to pursue acting, she speaks about her long time commitment to …

In this episode, Eric speaks with esteemed scholar and writer Dr. Halima Taha. She shares her experience of how she first came into contact with the arts, her experience as co-owner of the Onyx Art Gallery, the first gallery in Gramercy Park to sell abstract art by African American artists New York City, combating the historic limitations and stere…

In this episode, Eric sits down with the talented and celebrated June Edmonds who describes her journey of becoming an artist... from deciding to pursue art, majoring in art at college, to furthering her studies under the mentorship of esteemed artists, to eventually developing her own unique style and exhibiting her work at renowned galleries and …

In this episode, Eric sits down with the lovely Evelia Jones, direct descendant of Sally Hemings; intimate companion of Thomas Jefferson for nearly four decades with whom he had six children. They discuss her experience as a child growing up in the South, her exposure to art and performance as a young girl, her Father -- the late, talented but some…

In this episode, Eric sits down with his lovely wife Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks at their residence where they discuss her great love of African American art... how being of African descent lead her to study African American art to help her connect with her history and heritage and how art enriches her life and work environment. They discuss the power of …

In this episode, Berlinda Fontenont-Jamerson (now former) President of the Museum of African American Art describes how she transitioned from a successful career in corporate America, to becoming a leading figure in sharing African American stories and uplifting communities through the power of art and economic development. For more visit: www.eric…

In this episode, LA native George Evans describes his lifelong relationship with art; having being raised in an artistic home, to receiving mentorship from renowned African American artists and how his art has continued to evolve throughout the years. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: George was born in Watts and grew up on 89th S…

In this episode bestselling author Terry McMillan opens up about her early days as an up-and coming author to ultimately achieving great success.. what art means to her and how her relationship with art has evolved over the years. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Terry McMillan is an American novelist. Born and raised in Port Hur…

Eric sits down with professor and longtime civil rights activist Paul Von Blum, who describes his experiences during the civil rights movement and his involvement in helping to pave the way for the recognition of African American art and the establishment of African American studies. For more visit: www.ericsperspective.com Guest Bio: Paul Von Blum…

In this episode, Eric sits down with art collector and patron of African American art; Dr. Joy Simmons who describes her journey of discovering art at a young age while in Medical school. They explore her passion for collecting and supporting African-American artists. Guest Bio: A radiologist at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center for 37 y…