Urban Connections

By KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio

Listen to a podcast, please open Podcast Republic app. Available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.


Category: Society & Culture

Open in Apple Podcasts


Open RSS feed


Open Website


Rate for this podcast

Subscribers: 0
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 222

Description

This podcast tracks the audio archives for the “Urban Connections” show. Urban Connections conducts guest interviews covering issues affecting our local, national, international and global communities from a Black perspective.


Episode Date
Honoring the United States Colored Troops of the American Civil War - Union soldiers who fought for freedom
May 23, 2026
Dr. Jacob Wagner, UMKC Professor of Urban Planning and Design, Celebrating Kansas City's cultural contribution as a UNESCO Music City
Apr 18, 2026
Wasim Khan and Andrea Smith Khan on the strength, courage and determination of US immigrants
Apr 10, 2026
Journalist, author, Lewis W. Diuguid on the United States, Cuba and 21st Century Imperialism
Mar 28, 2026
Dr. Paris Woods on helping young people build wealth and plan for financial freedom
Mar 21, 2026
Dr. Angela Simms discusses disparities in wealth accumulation between Black and White Americans in "Fighting for a Foothold"
Mar 14, 2026
Leading with Purpose: Earl Martin Phalen of Great Jobs KC, an educator at heart
Jan 24, 2026
Dr. Marion Orr on his book "House of Diggs: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Consequential Black Congressman, Charles C. Diggs Jr."
Jan 10, 2026
Journalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid on the new American slaves
Jan 03, 2026
Journalist, author, Lewis W. Diuguid: White Is the New Black: Racism, Trump, and America’s Reckoning
Oct 19, 2025
Poet Kael “Davar” Long on love, loss, lessons and life
Aug 23, 2025
Suzanne Johnson, "first waver" Korean adoptee, shares a different perspective of discrimination, injustice and immigration
Jul 12, 2025
American History preserved – slavery at the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana
Jul 05, 2025
Wasim Khan and Andrea Smith Khan of Baraza African Cultures Center on immigrant experiences in Kansas City
Jun 28, 2025
Adenike Amen Ra of Amen Ankh Urban Farms on growing food, NOT lawns
Jun 21, 2025
Author, journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on truth, lies and America
Jun 14, 2025
Dr. Tracie Canada, ethnographer and anthropologist, on the intersection of race and sport: Black college athletes unpaid labor, power, profit and survival
May 31, 2025
LaMont Eanes on leadership and transformation at the Social Security Administration
May 24, 2025
Inside the SSA – A Kansas City Story
May 10, 2025
Bird Fleming of Traditional Music Society on celebrating the journey of humankind
Apr 19, 2025
Journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on working with the “Scarecrow”
Apr 05, 2025
Carl A. Stafford, founder of My Region Wins! on food, land, conservation and survival
Mar 29, 2025
KC Metro Leagues of Women Voters
Mar 24, 2025
Joseph Jackson, host of KKFI’s Cow Town Conversations on his bucket list trip down south -Super Bowl to Selma
Mar 22, 2025
Damron Armstrong, founder, artistic director of the Black Repertory Theater of KC on Mahalia: A Gospel Musical
Mar 08, 2025
Journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on working with the “Scarecrow”
Mar 01, 2025
Dr. Wylin D. Wilson on Womanist Bioethics: Social Justice, Spirituality and Black Women’s Health
Jan 29, 2025
Local artist Karen E. Griffin sewing seams to create stories, honor culture and celebrate ancestry
Jan 25, 2025
Dr. Terry Ann Scott on sustainable lifestyle changes that can significantly improve health outcomes
Dec 14, 2024
Entrepreneur Racquel Rodriguez is joyfully celebrating Cuban cultural heritage and the art of coffee making
Dec 07, 2024
Catching up with D. Rashaan Gilmore, founder, president and CEO of BlaqOut
Nov 30, 2024
The Black Repertory Theater of Kansas City’s founder, Damron Armstrong, talks Hip-Hop Cinderella
Nov 23, 2024
Jounalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid observations: US election November 5, 2024
Nov 09, 2024
Robin Bernstein, PhD, author, cultural historian and professor, on the entangled origins of “prisons for profit” and anti-Black racism in America and beyond
Nov 02, 2024
Journalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid on changing times, new norms, and mixed-race relationships
Oct 26, 2024
Journalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid on our second “Gilded Age”, a nation of “me”
Oct 12, 2024
Mary Merola of the Guns to Gardens task force on the Safe Surrender of firearms
Oct 05, 2024
Sankofa: Traditional Music Society founder Bird Fleming, musicians Nick Amir Baker and Gerald Trimble on the roots of Middle Eastern Music
Sep 27, 2024
Author, journalist Lewis W. Diuguid on the “Great Debate”, VP Kamala Harris vs former Pres Donald Trump, upcoming Sept 10th, 2024
Sep 07, 2024
Larry Lester, sports scholar, historian and author on Major League Baseball’s embrace of the Negro Leagues
Aug 31, 2024
Journalist, author Lewis W. Diuguid on trends in political advertising
Aug 03, 2024
Dr. Cynthia M. Sims, University of Georgia Associate Professor, on Black women, leadership and the importance of being authentic
Jul 23, 2024
Angela Bates, Founder/Director, Nicodemus Historic Society, on the Black township founded in 1877
Jul 20, 2024
Dr. Terry Ann Scott of TAT Health Solutions on sustainable lifestyle changes that can significantly improve health outcomes
Jul 06, 2024
Journalist/author Lewis W. Diuguid on Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions related to a hush money scheme
Jun 22, 2024
Erik Dickinson, President of Urban Ranger Corps, on helping youth achieve life-long growth and development
Jun 01, 2024
Anthony and Staroyce Nealy, founders of Global One Urban Farming, continue producing, sharing and educating about food in KC communities
May 25, 2024
Bosede Iyewarun, founder and visionary of Heartland International Fashion Week on building self esteem and confidence in youth
May 18, 2024
Carl Stafford of My Region Wins! speaks on the film “Cooked: Survival By Zip Code”
May 04, 2024
Sharon Lockhart and Dave Kingsley on nursing home abuse in our society
Apr 27, 2024
Journalist, author, activist Lewis W. Diuguid, what’s going on – current events
Mar 30, 2024
Toni Talley on balancing career and family in the entertainment industry
Mar 23, 2024
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Epsilon Chapter: Leadership and Service – Past, Present and Future
Mar 16, 2024
Baraza African Cultures Center continues the dialogue Black in Kansas City II
Feb 24, 2024
Dr. Daive Dunkley, MU Director of Black Studies, talks history
Feb 10, 2024
Lewis W. Diuguid, author, on his latest work Exploring Cuba: Erasing Fears through Multicultural Education
Jan 13, 2024
Carl A. Stafford, founder/visionary of My Region Wins! on habilitating dreams
Jan 06, 2024
Nedra Dixon on “A God*Sib’s Tale” world premiere musical by The Black Repertory Theatre of KC
Dec 30, 2023
Sly James, former KCMO Mayor, speaks of wisdom and experience
Dec 16, 2023
Phil Long, President – Association of African American Vintners on wine and the wine industry
Nov 27, 2023
Bird Fleming and the Traditional Music Society celebrates World Music and Dance
Nov 18, 2023
Iconic KC artists Bardwell, Becker and Hagenbach together in poetry, fiction, and music feeling the ancestors
Nov 10, 2023
Carl A. Stafford, founder/visionary, My Region Wins! addressing injustices and issues in KC neighborhoods
Nov 04, 2023
Damron Armstrong on Black Repertory Theatre of KC – recipient of 2023 Paul Robeson Award
Oct 21, 2023
Chef Shanita, founder of the Prospect KC, 2nd Annual Gumbo Fest celebrating the revitalization of our Eastside
Oct 14, 2023
PeaceWorks KC Vice Chair Mary Hladky, artist Melanie Bolden, and artist and author Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on the intersection of peace and art
Sep 16, 2023
Dr. Cecelia McBride Robinson, Professor Emerita of William Jewel College on the rich history of African Americans in Clay County, MO
Sep 09, 2023
James and Janice Nunnelly on community service through activism and advocacy
Jul 29, 2023
Byron Stamps, teacher, producer on Truth in Comedy – storytelling, stand-up, comedy, and art where humanity is the muse
May 13, 2023
KC Scholars team share how the organization is positively impacting lives in the Kansas City area
Apr 29, 2023
Bird Fleming, founder/artistic director of the Traditional Music Society and its 25th Anniversary serving Kansas City, teaching music and dance from indigenous world cultures
Apr 22, 2023
Cynthia Bryant, Board of Trustee chair of The Seeing Eye, providing specially bred and trained guide dogs for blind individuals
Apr 15, 2023
Damron Armstrong, Executive Director of the Black Repertory Theatre of KC on “A Raisin in the Sun”
Apr 08, 2023
Author, researcher Freeman A. Jackson on the importance of teaching children the basics of computer science and AI
Feb 04, 2023
KC’s own Darnell “Solo” Kirkwood, LA based multidisciplinary artist exhibits his “Discoveries Along the Way”
Jan 07, 2023
Author Rochinda Pickens on living life unapologetically doing what you love
Dec 03, 2022
Joseph “Joey” Thomas and LaDonna Adams of the Know Joey? Foundation on Turkey Tuesday and other programs of empowerment
Nov 19, 2022
Toni A. Straws, shares her breast cancer survival journey and some of her Life in Limericks
Oct 29, 2022
Sankofa: Fannie Lou Hamer, Freedom Fighter, Human Rights Activist, honoring her life and legacy
Oct 08, 2022
Sankofa: rebroadcast of guest Lewis W. Diuguid on how trending conservative political rhetoric leads to acts of violence
Sep 24, 2022
PeaceWorks KC showcasing local art and artists, “working for a world of peace without war and its weapons”
Sep 17, 2022
Gregory S. Cooke, educator, documentary filmmaker, WWII historian on relocating African Americans to the main pages of American and global history
Sep 10, 2022
Iconic Kansas City Jazz artist Mother Mary Moore on celebrating the life and legacy of Charlie “Yard Bird” Parker and her own legacy
Sep 03, 2022
Author, activist Lewis W. Diuguid on the “Great Replacement Theory” and other hard-right ideas
Aug 27, 2022
Tenesia Keys, CEO, Real Estate Broker on Entrepreneurship – her journey and her vision for the Urban Core
Aug 13, 2022
Journalist, author, Lewis W. Diuguid examines how trending conservative political rhetoric leads to acts of violence
Aug 06, 2022
Stacy Lake, attorney, candidate for Jackson County MO Executive, on her plan to put residents first
Jul 16, 2022
Dr. Lester E. Blue, Jr., clinical psychologist, on Black Americans seeking mental health treatment
Jul 02, 2022
Catherine A. Wiley, on Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, an enduring historic Kansas City institution, founded by African Americans
Jun 25, 2022
Ryan A. Sorrell, Co-founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Kansas City Defender on news, digital tools and public services for Black people
Jun 18, 2022
Performing artist and activist Mary Moore (aka Mother Mary Moses) on Kansas City’s jazz heritage and beyond.
May 28, 2022
STEAM educator/entrepreneurs William Wells, Jr., and Michael Rendler: a conversation on community development
May 21, 2022
G.Y.R.L. (Giving Yourself Real Love) building strong communities in the Metropolitan Kansas City area
May 14, 2022
Author, journalist, educator Lewis W. Diuguid examines motives on apparent push to reverse Roe vs. Wade
May 07, 2022
William Wells, Jr., of aSTEAM Village on developing opportunity and access to expanded learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and math
Apr 09, 2022
Author, journalist Lewis Diuguid asks “Is America prepared for real possible consequences of war in Ukraine?”
Apr 02, 2022
Brandon Ellington, KC Third District-at-Large Councilman discusses city issues and opportunities
Mar 19, 2022
Founders of East Meets West of Troost (EMWOT KC) on Black People Being the Gentry of Our Own Communities Copy
Mar 12, 2022
Adenike Amenra of East Meets West of Troost (EMWOT KC) on Black People Being the Gentry of Our Own Communities
Mar 05, 2022
Michael M. Byrd on Solving Problems and Risks of Isolation and Loneliness in Caring for Older Adults
Feb 05, 2022
Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell on education and accreditation
Jan 29, 2022
Qiana Thomason of Health Forward Foundation on building inclusive, powerful, healthy communities
Jan 22, 2022
The Urban Summit of Kansas City asks “Is Equity Enough?”, Conference Chair Ajamu Webster discusses.
Oct 30, 2021
Dr. Delia Gillis, Director of Center for Africana Studies at UCM, on the overlooked role of female slave owners in the United States
Sep 23, 2021
Kansas City artist Wolfe Brack, curator at InterUrban ArtHouse, discusses his work and inspiration.
Sep 18, 2021
A Tribute to Bette Tate-Beaver, educator, peacemaker.
Sep 04, 2021
Author Lewis Diuguid on Opposing the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
Aug 28, 2021
Journalist Lewis W. Diuguid and educator Bette Tate-Beaver on the Verdict: Former Police Officer Chauvin Trial for the Murder of George Floyd
Apr 24, 2021
Matthew Westra of Global and Multicultural Education (G.A.M.E.) and 2020 Peace Builder Awardees Mike Murphy (KKFI) and Sean Eagan (816 Bicycle Collective)
Apr 10, 2021
Queen Bey-Blythe, Local Artist and Jazz Educator, on Her International Career in Music, Film, and Theatre
Apr 03, 2021
Outstanding Experiences: Life of a Civil Rights Activist, Chester Owens, Jr., a discussion with local historians Rochelle Donald and Chester Owens, Jr.
Mar 27, 2021
Local historians Rochelle Donald and Chester Owens, Jr., on Kansas HBCU Western University, Established 1865 as Quindaro Freedman’s School Copy
Mar 27, 2021
Dr. Sirisha Naidu, UMKC Professor in Economics, Discusses Environmental Injustice
Mar 05, 2021
Local historians Rochelle Donald and Chester Owens, Jr., on Kansas HBCU Western University, Established 1865 as Quindaro Freedman’s School
Feb 20, 2021
Dr. Mathew Forstater, UMKC Professor in Economics, discusses the Economics of Discrimination
Feb 13, 2021
Nia Becker, RN, BSN, Thoughts on Reversing African American’s High Risk for Common Chronic Dis-eases
Feb 06, 2021
Nia F. Becker, RN, BSN, on Providing Health Care to Homebound Underserved Communities During COVID-19 Copy
Feb 06, 2021
Nia F. Becker, RN, BSN, on Providing Health Care to Homebound Underserved Communities During COVID-19 Copy
Feb 06, 2021
Historian Dr. Antonio Holland on Missouri Blacks in the Civil War
Jan 28, 2021
Local Historians Chester Owens, Jr., and Rochelle Donald on Abolitionist Charles Sumner and His Namesake Institutions Sumner High School and Sumner Academy
Jan 23, 2021
Author Donna C. Watson, J.D., on Creating Essential Estate Planning Documents to Protect Individuals and Their Families
Jan 13, 2021
Dr. Mathew Forstater, UMKC Professor in Economics, on the Nature of Money and More
Jan 06, 2021
Nia F. Becker, RN, BSN, on Providing Health Care to Homebound Underserved Communities During COVID-19
Dec 31, 2020
Lewis Diuguid, Journalist-While-Black at the KC Star and Bette Tate-Beaver, Multi-Cultural Educator on KC Star’s Apology
Dec 29, 2020
Historian Chester C. Owens, Jr., and local filmmaker and historian, Rochelle Donald, on historic KCK sites.
Dec 19, 2020
Greater KC Black History Study Group president Larry Lester and Dr. Tony Holland on Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History
Dec 05, 2020
Bette Tate-Beaver, Lewis Diuguid and Michael Brox on Policing in America
Nov 28, 2020
Urban Connections • Nov. 30, 2019
Nov 25, 2019
Urban Connections • Nov. 23, 2019
Nov 18, 2019
Urban Connections • Nov. 16, 2019
Nov 12, 2019
Urban Connections • Nov. 9, 2019
Nov 05, 2019
Urban Connections • Nov. 2, 2019
Nov 05, 2019
Urban Connections • Oct. 26, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Oct. 19, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Oct. 12, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Oct. 5, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Sept. 14, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Sept. 28, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Sept. 21, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Sept. 7, 2019
Sep 17, 2019
Urban Connections • Aug. 31, 2019
Aug 03, 2019
Urban Connections • Aug. 24, 2019
Aug 03, 2019
Urban Connections • Aug. 17, 2019
Aug 03, 2019
Urban Connections • Aug. 10, 2019
Aug 03, 2019
Urban Connections • Aug. 3, 2019
Aug 03, 2019
Tribute Show: Nipsey Hussle
May 28, 2019
Black History
Apr 20, 2019
Tribute to Nipsey Hussle
Apr 13, 2019
Sankofa Show: Is the American Dream at the Expense of the American Negro?
Apr 06, 2019
Kansas City Kansas School Board
Mar 16, 2019
Civil Rights History~Today’s Injustices
Feb 27, 2019
Deciding on a Mayor
Feb 27, 2019
Larry Lester, historian, author, activist, preserving the African American experience.
Feb 23, 2019
Clovis E. Semmes, PhD, author, educator, on the end of Black Studies at U.S. universities.
Feb 16, 2019
Multicultural Education & Journalism
Feb 09, 2019
The Right To Revolution
Jan 05, 2019
Lynch Culture in America
Dec 26, 2018
African Storytelling & The Soul of a Butterfly
Dec 26, 2018
African Storytelling
Nov 28, 2018
Corrections Accountability
Nov 28, 2018
Living with Depression and Bulimia
Nov 28, 2018
Black Women Do Breast Feed
Nov 25, 2018
The Fourth Agreement
Nov 24, 2018
The Second Agreement
Nov 17, 2018
Excavating The Family Bones
Nov 17, 2018
The Third Agreement
Nov 17, 2018
Thoughtful Conversations
Nov 10, 2018
November 2018 Ballot Measures
Nov 05, 2018
SME Confederate Flag Debate
Oct 04, 2018
Legacy, Spirit of the Black Panthers
Oct 04, 2018
For All The World To See
Jul 27, 2018
What is Cancer?
Jul 07, 2018
The Myth of Black (All) Buying Power
Jun 29, 2018
Critical Resistance
Jun 16, 2018
KKFI Open House
Mar 28, 2018
Dancing Her Blackness
Mar 28, 2018
There’s Nothing Wrong With Black People
Mar 24, 2018
Harambee City
Feb 10, 2018
Capitalism Is Not The Only Choice
Jan 13, 2018
Own Your Glow with Latham Thomas
Dec 13, 2017
Life of a Jazz Artist
Nov 04, 2017
Take Note KC
Oct 28, 2017
Q&A With Dr. Cornel West, KKFI live broadcast from UMKC School of Law
Oct 07, 2017
Q&A With Dr. Cornel West, KKFI live broadcast from UMKC School of Law
Oct 07, 2017
Urban Connections Indivisible KC
Feb 04, 2017
How to Buy A Home Part 4 The Appraisal
Jan 28, 2017
Trump Protests and Executive Orders
Jan 21, 2017
How to Buy a Home Session #3 Home Inspection
Jan 14, 2017
How to Buy a Home Week #2
Jan 10, 2017
How to Buy a House Week 1
Jan 01, 2017
Kansas City Public Schools Office of Students in Transition
Dec 24, 2016
Red Cross
Dec 24, 2016
Jacob Turk Interview
Oct 08, 2016
Interview with newly hired Principal of Central Academy of Excellence – Anthony Madry
Aug 27, 2016
Interview With Dr. Mark Bedell, KCPS Superintendent
Aug 13, 2016
Michele Foster, EdD,Director, UMKC Urban Education Research Center
Apr 09, 2016
Troy Schulte, City Manager, KCMO discusses current issues
Apr 02, 2016
Jean Peters Baker, JACOMO Prosecutor on crime, justice and public safety
Feb 27, 2016
KCCU President, Eric Jones &VP, Marilyn Chappell on financial education
Jan 02, 2016
Brandon Ellington, MO State Rep, returns to discuss 2016 legislation
Dec 12, 2015
Dacia Moore, LPC, Gateway of Hope, returns to discuss impact of divorce on families
Dec 05, 2015
Dennis Boody, MSW, Riverview Health Services discusses diabetes as Urban Connections series on health and wellness continues.
Nov 21, 2015
Kirby Randolph, Ph.D., Truman Medical Behavioral Health, continues Urban Connections series on health and wellness.
Nov 21, 2015
Beth Sarver, Trauma Outreach Coordinator, Truman Medical Center, is guest, as series on health and wellness continues.
Oct 31, 2015
Education series guest Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent, Jennings, MO School District
Jul 18, 2015
Dr. Gwendolyn J. Cooke, educator, author, discusses local urban education
Jul 11, 2015
Brandon Ellington and Deniese Lieberman on Voter Protection
Jan 31, 2015
Food Fight! continues…James Gustav Speth, author America the Possible: A Manifesto for A New Economy
Sep 27, 2014
Lloyd C. Daniel, political and economic philosopher and theorist, discusses the Israeli occupation of Palestine
Sep 06, 2014
Food Fight! Makani Themba, ED, The Praxis Project, advocacy to advance health justice.
Aug 30, 2014
Food Fight! In Memoriam: Charity Hicks, Detroit human rights activist
Jul 26, 2014
Local playwrights Cynthia Hardeman, Michelle T. Johnson and Teresa Leggard share insights and experience
Jul 19, 2014
Food Fight! continues…Eric Holt-Giménez, Executive Director of Food First
Jun 27, 2014
Teresa Leggard, writer, editor, poet and playwright
Jun 22, 2014
Shicagolyn Scroggins of Stand With Women/Organizing for Action discusses women living “Paycheck to Paycheck”
Jun 14, 2014
Pat Clarke, PAC 20 and community discuss Black On Black Crime Summit held at Southeast Fieldhouse, June 6th
Jun 07, 2014
Food Fight! Local Greater Kansas City Food Activists March Against Monsanto 2014
May 31, 2014
Dr. Lori Blankinship, ND, discusses “Food As Medicine” with co-host Sharon Valleau
May 24, 2014
Mathew Forstater, Professor of UMKC Economics & Black Studies
May 10, 2014
Alexis Baden-Myer, Political Director, Organic Consumers Association
Apr 26, 2014
Jasmine Jones, Miss Black Missouri USA 2014 discusses her mission and journey
Apr 19, 2014
Interview with John Peck, ED, Family Farm Defenders
Apr 12, 2014