PODCASTS
Keyshawn Solves It
Produced by GBH Kids and distributed by PRX and PBS KIDS with funding made possible in part by Black Public Media. Podcasting on PBS KIDS and Apple Podcasts.
Created by Ed Jenkins, the Keyshawn Solves It podcast is an 8-episode serialized mystery about a 10-year-old African-American boy who inherits a set of keys that can unlock almost any door. With help from his friend Kiki, Keyshawn uses these keys to help solve the mystery of disappearing bikes in his North Minneapolis neighborhood, ensuring that his community’s Juneteenth bike parade can go on. Listeners will be introduced to Juneteenth and its origins, as well as to social-emotional “keys to success” such as resilience, self-worth, and responsibility. Geared to children 5-9, Keyshawn Solves It is produced by GBH Kids and distributed by PRX and PBS KIDS with funding made possible in part by Black Public Media.
ABOUT THE PODCASTER
Ed Jenkins has more than 20 years’ experience as a creator and performing artist for kids. Ed is deeply passionate about using media and service opportunities to empower kids to make the world wonderful. He has a BFA in Acting, MS in Recreation Management, and has experience in theatre, storytelling, and producing videos for kids. Ed lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife and son.
Alzheimer’s In Color
A collaboration between Black Public Media and Latino
USA, supported by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. Podcasting on Latino USA.
When Ramona Latty —a then 84-year-old Dominican immigrant living in the Bronx— was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she was told to “Google it” for more information. Her daughter Yvonne Latty, by this point a mother herself, a journalist, and a university professor, was also in the room. They received the diagnosis in shock. That day, Yvonne noticed how packed the waiting room was. She also took note of the color of everyone’s skin, and realized: “we are being ignored.”
Alzheimer’s is a hard situation for everyone, but African American and Latinx communities have unique challenges that are pressing and complicated.
African Americans are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than white Americans, and Latinx Americans are 1.5 times as likely. Population growth in the next decade foreshadows an incredible growth of Alzheimer’s in communities of color. Despite these statistics, patients in these communities are less likely to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional, and even less likely to be represented in a clinical trial.
There is a lot of loneliness felt by Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers, and there’s an extra layer of loneliness when the general reflection of the disease you are navigating doesn’t look —or sound— like you. Ramona is now living in a nursing home in the Bronx. COVID-19 has made their struggle to connect even harder. For months they have only seen each on SKYPE, and Ramona is fading away.
In this intimate portrait, Yvonne takes us through her family’s Alzheimer’s journey, and the value of memories in keeping those we love alive.
Alzheimer’s in Color is a collaboration between Black Public Media and Latino USA, supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
ABOUT THE PODCASTER
Yvonne Latty is a professor of journalism at New York University and a critically
acclaimed author. She worked for the Philadelphia Daily News for 13 years, where
she was an award-winning reporter specializing in urban issues. Born and raised in
New York City, Latty earned a bachelor’s in film/television and later a master’s in
journalism from NYU.
