WEE Nation Podcast

UMBC’s Diverse Books Project - Lesa Cline-Ransome Interview

Uncle Devin interviews author Lesa Cline-Ransome about her book, "Before She Was Harriett." https://www.lesaclineransome.com/

This book was selected to be a part of the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Diverse Books Project. In April 2023, WEE Nation Radio started a partnership with UMBC's Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities by offering our WEE Nation Reads program as a resource to participating teachers and families in their Diverse Books Projects (DBP).  https://shermancenter.umbc.edu/diverse-books-project/

This project aims to ensure that early childhood educators at their partner schools have access to high-quality, diverse children’s books and opportunities to share ideas and insights about their use.

Books identified by UMBC will be featured in our WEE Nation Reads segment, which includes a reading of each of the selected books, children’s music related to each book, and an interview with the author or publisher.

WEE Nation Reads takes place every Monday through Friday, from April 11, 2023, through May 18, airing twice a day at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM EST on WEE Nation Radio.

Parents and teachers can listen by downloading our mobile app available in Google Play and the Apple Store. Download your app today. This is our way of celebrating and raising awareness of the critical need for children’s books about “different cultures, races, languages, and traditions.” www.WEENationRadio.com

UMBC’s Diverse Books Project - Author Zetta Elliott Interview

Uncle Devin interviews author Zetta Elliott about her book, "Benny Doesn't Like to be Hugged." This book was selected to be a part of the University of Maryland Baltimore County's Diverse Books Project. http://www.zettaelliott.com/

In April 2023, WEE Nation Radio started a partnership with UMBC's Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities by offering our WEE Nation Reads program as a resource to participating teachers and families in their Diverse Books Projects (DBP). https://shermancenter.umbc.edu/diverse-books-project/

This project aims to ensure that early childhood educators at their partner schools have access to high-quality, diverse children’s books and opportunities to share ideas and insights about their use.

Books identified by UMBC will be featured in our WEE Nation Reads segment, which includes a reading of each of the selected books, children’s music related to each book, and an interview with the author or publisher.

This will occur every Monday through Friday, from April 11, 2023, through May 18, airing twice a day at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM EST on WEE Nation Radio.

Parents and teachers can listen by downloading our mobile app available in Google Play and the Apple Store. Download your app today. This is our way of celebrating and raising awareness of the critical need for children’s books about “different cultures, races, languages, and traditions.” Stay tuned for more information.

Uncle Devin’s Social Action Tribute in Honor of the Dr Martin L. King, Jr and DC’s Junkyard Band!

We’ve all heard the, ‘I Have a Dream’ speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, but have you ever listened to his speech titled, Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence? He delivered this speech at Riverside Church in NY on April 4, 1967, one year to the day he was murdered. 🧐

Here’s a quote from that speech: “As I have walked among the desperate, rejected, and angry young men, I have told them that Molotov cocktails and rifles would not solve their problems… But they asked, and rightly so, ‘what about Vietnam?’ They asked if our own nation wasn’t using massive doses of violence to solve its problems, to bring about the changes it wanted. Their questions hit home, and I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today: my own government.”

Fast forward 20 years and four U.S. Presidents later…same issues, but this time the issues were highlighted by a group of young boys from the hood. The Word by The Junkyard Band calls out President Reagan for funding weapons for war, but not to underprivileged Americans.

Join me as I share my new social action campaign in honor of Dr. King and The Junkyard Band. I e dedicated my life to researching these issues and fighting for change in this country. I’m inviting you to be a part of that change.

Interview with Singer Mariama Whyte

Uncle Devin interviews singer Mariama Whyte, a 2020 recipient of the Room in the House Artist Residency with Karamu House and 2019 recipient of a Verge Fellowship by Cleveland Arts Prize. She has performed in the Broadway National tours of Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Color Purple and Disney's The Lion King. 

This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet.

For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com. The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.

Interview with Storyteller, Peter Brooks

Storyteller Peter Brooks discusses his vast career as a Storyteller, Teaching Artist, and his tremendous work with the Native American community. He also shares insightful facts about his grandfather, the late Cab Calloway.

This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet.

For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com. The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.

DC Statehood with Members of the Nation’s Capital Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc.

Uncle Devin interviews members of the Nation's Capital Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc., along with students in one of their programs about their participation in the DC Emancipation Day Parade, including speeches and a performance by their students.

Uncle Devin had the honor of creating the beat that was used by the students, who are advocating for statehood for DC. You will hear the song in this podcast.

For more information about our podcast, go to https://www.weenationradio.com/podcast.

Interview with Jenny Heitler-Klevans of Pickleberry Pie, w/ Lori & RJ

Uncle Devin interviews Jenny Heitler-Klevans, Executive Director, Pickleberry Pie (https://pickleberryhospitalconcerts.org/), and Lori & RJ about their careers and a benefit concert on March 27, 2022, for Pickleberry Pie and Kare Africa.

Pickleberry Pie is a non-profit that brings music to children in hospitals and special needs facilities throughout the US. They are providing virtual and in-person visits and have just launched a new Pickleberry Pie Kids website (https://pickleberrypiekids.org/) with concert videos, streaming audio channels from Kids Public Radio, games, and more!

This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet. For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com. The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.

Interview with Author Tomika Reid

Uncle Devin interviews author, Tomika Reid, about her new children's book, "Suzie Sings This Is The Color."  Tomika is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She is a single mom of two daughters and a self-published author. Tomika has been through many trials and tribulations, yet she is here STILL STANDING and loves to inspire and motivate others to push through no matter what you go through. 

This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet. For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com.  The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.

Interview with Markita Staples of Curly Crew Books

Uncle Devin interviews Markita Staples of Curly Crew Books. This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet. For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com.  The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.

Interview with Natalie Daise of Gullah Gullah Island

Uncle Devin interviews Natalie Daise of Nickelodeon's Gullah Gullah Island.  This podcast is the companion to WEE Nation Radio, a 24/7 online music radio station for children that provides the best in family-friendly global beats for little feet. For more information, go to www.WEENationRadio.com.  The WEE Nation Podcast is available on most podcast platforms, including iTunes, Pandora, and Google Play.