I SEE U with Eddie Robinson

Legendary singer-songwriter Luther Vandross pioneered a golden age of silky-smooth R&B and passionate slow jams. In addition to countless hits and platinum albums, he earned eight Grammy Awards, including ‘Song of the Year' in 2004 for “Dance With My Father” – a track that was released while he was hospitalized after suffering from a stroke. He studied from the best at a young age, spending hours watching and recreating the routines of Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick that he saw on television. He wrote, arranged and sang back up for David Bowie, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand and Roberta Flack, before finally deciding to step into the spotlight as a solo artist.Despite his success, the powerhouse balladeer had a very public struggle with weight, especially with an unforgiving media fixated on image. He was also dogged by constant questions over his sexuality, despite pleas to respect his privacy. It's hard to believe that a man responsible for some of the most beautiful ballads ever recorded had a difficult time finding true love in his own life. Nonetheless, Vandross persevered with an unprecedented work ethic and an unrelenting spirit to succeed.Join I SEE U as host Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with award-winning filmmaker, Dawn Porter. Her latest documentary, Luther: Never Too Much, has received critical acclaim for uncovering details of Luther Vandross' life previously unknown to even the most die-hard fan. Utilizing a hefty trove of archival footage and rare rehearsal recordings, Porter allows Vandross to tell his own story with assistance from his closet friends and collaborators, including Warwick, Mariah Carey, Marcus Miller, Richard Marx and Nile Rodgers. With the recent news of CNN Films and OWN acquiring the film, the director chronicles for I SEE U the triumphs and tribulations of an extraordinary vocalist who grew up admiring the heroines of ‘60s music royalty to become one of the most influential and decorated artists of the last few decades.

Ballet traces its origins to the 15th century and the Italian Renaissance. But the art form has continued to evolve, with choreographers and dancers creatively incorporating new interpretations reflective of contemporary culture. Despite its evolution, today's ballet still lacks dancers of color, especially in principal roles.Trailblazer Lauren Anderson was one of the first Black dancers to climb the ranks to become the principal dancer at a major ballet company. Though it's been 34 years since she made history in that role, Anderson tells I SEE U that while progress has been made, more needs to be done so that young people of color can feel like they belong in this industry. She admits that more ballerinas of color are, indeed, taking lead roles – but too often, preference is given to light-skinned dancers. Anderson, who is dark skinned and has a muscular physique, was told as a teen that she didn't fit the right look of a ballerina – despite being recognized as a huge talent at a young age.Stay tuned as host Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with the first African American Principal Dancer with the Houston Ballet, Lauren Anderson. Born and raised in Houston's Third Ward, the iconic dancer reveals how she dealt with discrimination, which led her to unhealthy coping mechanisms due to the pressures of perfection. While she almost lost her way because of addiction, Anderson is now celebrating 14 years of sobriety as she continues to educate and mentor students on their quest to achieve their own hopes and dreams.

Despite a highly successful acting career with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, Luis Guzmán never really wanted to be an actor. He was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Loísada, the name given to Manhattan's Lower East Side by the massive working-class Puerto Rican community that migrated to New York in the 1950s. Loísada was also a hot bed for activism, with residents coming together to fight against discrimination and for better housing and working conditions. Guzmán admits to I SEE U that his calling was to be a social worker as he embraced the culture and spirit of his community, working extensively with youth to enhance their lives and help guide them to their own aspirations.Guzmán started performing in popular street theater as a hobby to showcase his acting ability through the art of social and political advocacy. To supplement his social work with more cash, he also appeared in several indie films, including his first movie role in 1977, Short Eyes—a prison life drama written by close friend and playwright, Miguel “Mickey” Piñero. Co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café, a haven for Black and Latinx artists and activists, Mickey even helped him land a role on NBC's Miami Vice in 1985—a role that would change Guzmán's life forever. 50 years and nearly 200 film and TV projects later, his comedic brilliance and authentic bravado have positioned him to become one of the most renowned and recognizable actors around the world.Join us as host Eddie Robinson chats with award-winning actor and producer, Luis Guzmán, from his farm in Vermont. The veteran performer reminisces on his family and how paying a phone bill as a young adult led to finding his biological father in Puerto Rico. Plus, Guzmán shares an incredible moment of vulnerability as he remembers his friend, the late Robin Williams—one of the greatest comedians of all time—and recalls how his death by suicide over a decade ago still affects him to this day.

In 1974, CBS premiered Good Times, a TV sitcom that would showcase the first Black mother and Black father on screen – two parents, trying to make ends meet, while raising three children. Set in a public housing project in the south side of Chicago, Good Times elevated stories of struggle – the joy, the pain and the dreams of a determined Evans family during the economically turbulent 1970s. With legendary producer Norman Lear at the helm, the program would be one of three of the top ten rated shows with Black casts on American TV at that time – the other two gems were Sanford & Son and The Jeffersons.But there were many, including actors on these shows, who believed that producers equated the black experience with poverty and that too often writers pushed negative stereotypes and tropes, especially after the progress in civil rights of the previous decade. Times also weren't all that good for the Black creators of Good Times, Eric Monte and Mike Evans – both men struggled with Lear to receive recognition for their work.In the last 50 years, we've seen a (mostly) upward trajectory of positive Black representation in film and television – from the likes of The Cosby Show to Abbott Elementary or HBO's Insecure. Despite this advancement, negative stereotypes persist – and a new animated reboot of Good Times on Netflix is igniting fresh criticism, with many viewers saying the show promotes an image of Blacks as criminal, prone to violence, uneducated and hypersexualized. Would a reboot of a classic sitcom with an all-white cast like The Brady Bunch or Leave It to Beaver receive the same kind of treatment today?Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson chats with the actor who portrayed the first Black teen on network television – Bern Nadette Stanis, who starred as Thelma, the daughter of the Evans family in Good Times. Stanis shares her thoughts on the adult reboot and how she felt misled after portraying one of the characters in the modern series. Plus, Variety TV critic, Aramide Tinubu, provides her perspective on why Hollywood still refuses to let go of outdated and harmful depictions of American Black life.

Celebrated author of the award-winning book, The Color of Money: Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap, Mehrsa Baradaran states that when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, Blacks had 0.5% of the nation's wealth. This statistic makes sense, since Blacks weren't allowed to own capital as enslaved people — their bodies were, indeed, the capital used to develop lending in this country. Fast-forward more than 160 years to today, Black households currently have a total wealth of just over 4% - not much growth, especially when U consider that one-in-four Black households overall have no wealth or in debt, compared to about one-in-ten U.S. households.    What if our nation's financial systems were rigged — not by evil puppet masters or villains — but by law-abiding judges, lawyers, policy makers and lobbyists? In Baradaran's latest book, The Quiet Coup: Neoliberalism and The Looting of America, the acclaimed professor of law at the University of California, Irvine argues that our political and economic systems of government have shifted in recent decades to yield more complex laws and regulations designed to benefit the rich and powerful—while at the same time, proclaiming smaller government and less regulation. The result has been a large section of Americans left poor and disenfranchised. Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson chats with one of our country's leading intellectuals and legal scholars, Mehrsa Baradaran. We examine how the Civil Rights movement and the push for economic justice by Black activists led to a so-called neoliberal movement. Baradaran explores this ideology of neoliberalism and explains how it infected our politics to ensure and maintain a dominant system of economic power over democracy – a movement she says is far from over, and even accelerating. 

There are 64 million Latinos in the United States – nearly 20% of the population. By 2050, it's projected that a third of the country's population will be Latino. But despite being such a significant part of the country, Latinos are still often viewed as being immigrants, not fully American – even though they've been a part of American life for centuries. Join us as host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with renowned author and journalist, Marie Arana. Her latest book, LatinoLand: A Portrait of America's Largest and Least Understood Minority, draws from hundreds of interviews and expansive research that not only examine the diverse background of the fastest-growing minority in this country, but also the importance of understanding their history and contributions to this country. Arana, who also served as the inaugural Literary Director of the Library of Congress, shares her own provocative story from growing up in Lima, Peru to arriving in Summit, New Jersey in the wake of the murder of Emmett Till – an African American teen whose death reinvigorated the Civil Rights Movement. She tells I SEE U that Latinos have largely been invisible with a cultural influence that has for too long been dismissed or hidden from public view. Her mission is to encourage all Americans to discover more about this burgeoning population—while the Latino community grapples with understanding its own past, its promising future and its inherent power.

Critically acclaimed musician, Samora Pinderhughes has emerged as one of the most conscientious performers of the moment. The multidisciplinary artist has collaborated with a plethora of musicians, including Herbie Hancock, Common, Robert Glasper, Jill Scott, Sara Bareilles, Daveed Diggs and Lalah Hathaway, just to name a few.Pinderhughes is a filmmaker, a composer and a pianist, and he's known for creating performance pieces that are extensions of the conversations of his community – from the political to the personal – that incorporate elements of theatre, poetry, even paintings and digital art. His work is also deeply rooted in social justice and the traditions of Black surrealists of the African Diaspora. For nearly a decade, the 32-year-old has been working on his signature concept known as, “The Healing Project,” which centers around testimonials of community members, whose lives have been shattered by senseless violence, incarceration, detention and extreme policing. The initiative has since expanded and evolved into an arts organization based in New York City that's been featured in short films, museum exhibitions and live concerts.Join us as I SEE U's Eddie Robinson chats in-studio with multidisciplinary artist, Samora Pinderhughes. The Julliard School graduate guides us through his spiritual process of integrating visuals, sound, and emotions to create a musical landscape that touches the heart and soul of its listeners. He's already performed his compositions at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center as well as the historic El Dorado Ballroom in Houston's Third Ward, just blocks away from our I SEE U Studios.

With his signature voice and charismatic presence, legendary actor Keith David has starred in almost 400 projects, including film, television, stage and interactive media. From devils to angels, David has played just about every kind of role you can think of – including voice work in Disney and Manga animation, to roles in classic horror and comedy, to small time crooks and mega-church preachers. His acting range is incomparable, and as a classically trained actor, he's a firm believer that talent alone is not enough – you must put in the hard work and training to be successful. That's why he's won three Emmys, an NAACP Image Award, as well as being nominated for a Tony Award. But how has he remained passionate about acting for so many years, while delivering grace and splendor to each character he portrays? Join us as I SEE U's Eddie Robinson chats with one of Hollywood's most sought-after performers, Keith David. The Harlem-born veteran actor shares family stories and insight into his very first movie role—the 1982 horror classic, The Thing. He also reminisces about his relationship with the church, and how he had considered becoming a minister at one point in his career. He channeled that love of ministry into his character, Bishop James Greenleaf, for a powerful performance in the Oprah-produced drama series, Greenleaf. David shows no sign of slowing down as he reveals to I SEE U the secret to his remarkable longevity as a successful actor in a competitive and ever-evolving entertainment industry.

Country music is often referred to as the quintessential American music – and yet the contributions and influences of Black Americans is often erased and ignored. A prime example: Members of the Carter family were among country music's first big stars, producing some of the earliest commercial recordings in the 1920s. While the Carters are celebrated to this day, few know the name of Lesley Riddle, a Black musician who was instrumental in developing the Carter sound. Even the banjo – an instrument most associated with Appalachia where A.P. Carter and Lesley Riddle researched folk music – has had its African roots neglected over time. The rich cultural legacy of this American genre is only recently getting reexamined as African Americans and other communities of color are telling their own stories and histories of contribution to the origins of country music.     As Houston's own Beyoncé drops her most recent album, “Cowboy Carter”, some are saying that an artist mostly linked to R&B and hip-hop has no business on the country charts or airwaves. But the owners of a new music enterprise in Houston would respectfully disagree as they live the country life right here in Space City.   Join us as I SEE U's Eddie Robinson chats with the founders of LaChachere Music Group (LMG), a premiere country music entertainment company based in Houston and Nashville. Owners Dennis Chachere and Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere stop by our Third Ward studios — just blocks away from Queen Bey's childhood home. We'll dive deep into why there remains tension in country music spaces when Black artists desire the spotlight — a notion Beyoncé modestly referred to in a recent Instagram post. Plus, LMG artist, singer-songwriter Caleb James, breaks out his guitar and offers up powerful vocals reminiscent of Charley Pride in an exclusive, live in-studio performance of his latest single, “Just a Few Things.” 

Country star Reyna Roberts was born two months prematurely, at just two pounds. Her doctors feared developmental issues; so, her mother – a student at the University of Alaska – teamed up with professors to develop a unique music therapy to aid in her cognitive growth. The therapy not only worked, but it also gave Roberts a deep-seated passion for music. While she is a classically trained pianist and vocalist, her love of music led her to explore all genres before she found her groove in writing and singing country music. And this 26-year-old has been a fighter since birth, with her bold flair and genre-busting sound exemplified on her debut album, “Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1.”   As Houston's own, Beyoncé releases “Cowboy Carter” – I SEE U is taking a moment to explore the stories and lives of Black country musicians. Join us for this special bonus podcast as Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with the multi-talented country singer-songwriter, Reyna Roberts. We'll gain insight into how she's navigated race and gender inside a challenging music industry as an up-and-coming Black female country artist. Roberts also responds to the criticism female musicians often receive when embracing and displaying a very risqué image.

‘Peanuts' creator Charles Schulz once shared that a news editor from the South told him, “I don't mind you having a Black character [on your comic strip], but please don't show them in school together.” Racial tensions were heated back then when Schultz introduced Franklin, the first Black character in ‘Peanuts,' in July of 1968—just three months after the assassination of civil rights icon, Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite Franklin's historic arrival to a legendary comic strip, pushback remained for quite some time. Join us as host Eddie Robinson dedicates a powerful episode to two individuals who are making a profound impact on the lives of young students – syndicated cartoonist, Robb Armstrong and bestselling author, Tiffany Jewell. Armstrong, who would later become Schultz's close friend and protégé, chats unguarded about the impetus to create Franklin and how the character has evolved—as he's co-written a new origin story entitled, “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin,” now available on AppleTV+. Later in the episode, Jewell explores highlights from her latest book, “Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned In School,”—a collaborative memoir of her own story, along with other contributors, about how they were often racialized, at times subtle or blatant, both in and out of classrooms. While children of any race absorb coded messaging and information—whether from a ‘Peanuts' comic, a playground incident or an experience with a teacher—I SEE U takes on a provocative conversation that helps identify opportunities to course correct generations of systemic racism in places and spaces of education once thought to be safe, fair, inclusive and equitable.

In many ways, Texas is representative of the demographic and economic dynamism of America. The Lone Star State is very diverse with Latinos as the largest ethnic group; plus, it boasts the largest African American population in the country. Despite the sweeping demographic change of the last few decades, Texas remains deeply conservative with only one Black and one Latino among statewide elected officials – pushing political observers to begin questioning why Texas politics have remained unchanged. The economic boom of the last decade, dubbed the Texas Miracle, has also skipped over Black and Brown families who are themselves helping to drive this growth and expansion. This is especially true for historic Black communities in one of the wealthiest parts of the world – Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast.   Join us as I SEE U's Eddie Robinson speaks unguarded with award-winning filmmaker, Alex Stapleton. Her documentary, “The Price of Oil,” is part of HBO's ‘God Save Texas,' a three-part docuseries now streaming on Max. The renowned director turns a critical eye on the lucrative oil and gas industry – and documents how these companies created a toxic hell for her family and their Houston-area community – destroying the hard-won oasis where Black families could finally own their homes and build wealth. When outsiders would merely suggest to these Texas residents that they should simply move – Stapleton turns the table to question why business leaders and government officials failed from the start to fully compensate generations of Black and Brown communities through adequate health resources and regulation of an industry run amok.

Arguably, the state of Texas' most famous death row exoneree, Anthony Charles Graves spent nearly 20 years in prison for a brutal crime that he did not commit, including 12 years on death row — all while receiving two execution dates. Since his release more than a decade ago, Graves has been working extensively with the justice system that mistakenly put him behind bars in the first place! Join us for one of the most riveting episodes of I SEE U, as former inmate Anthony Graves speaks unguardedly with host Eddie Robinson about how he really feels about the state of Texas, his recent in-person interaction with the prosecutor in the case, and what he thinks needs to take place for criminal justice reform in this country.

Media depictions of Black men historically have been centered around not so flattering stereotypes: unintelligent, lazy, prone to violence, hypersexual — and worst of all, criminal and dangerous. When he's out in public, acclaimed actor Eric Kofi Abrefa tells I SEE U he has to be make himself small and always be conscious of not appearing too aggressive. He's garnered a growing fanbase because of his breakout role as the villain in the STARZ hit crime-drama series, BMF (Black Mafia Family). He explains that a white actor is given the opportunity to portray any — and every kind of role and the audience ‘won't bat an eye' or think twice about that depiction. But when a Black actor walks on stage, without uttering a word or reciting a line of script, he is a “walking political statement.” Does this mindset unknowingly restrict audiences' thinking of what Black actors can achieve or accomplish?      Join us as host Eddie Robinson chats with the man BMF fans “love to hate:” British/Ghanaian actor, Eric Kofi Abrefa. Star of the biblical comedy epic, The Book of Clarence, Kofi Abrefa shares why he is proud of his Ghanaian ancestry and why he is the biggest promotor of Ghana's film industry. The London-based actor also reveals details of an upcoming sci-fi Netflix series that will feature an all-Black cast with superhero powers. 

Ibram X. Kendi is a National Book Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author who has dedicated his life to educating all Americans, from grade school to adults, on the unvarnished history of the United States. His latest release, Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers, is a middle-grade offering for the critically acclaimed Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo,” written by the legendary writer, anthropologist and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston. The book tells the story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last-known survivors of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade who shared his story with Hurston in 1927. Kendi tells I SEE U that it's more important than ever for young people to understand slavery and its origins, particularly when book bans targeting writers of color are on the rise. Join us as I SEE U travels to the downtown Houston Public Library where host Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with one of the most sought-after historians in the country, Ibram X. Kendi. The author of the award-winning Stamped From the Beginning — now a Netflix documentary — chronicles the creation of racist ideas and myths which were used to codify discriminatory policies that have affected inequalities in everything from health to wealth in America.

Are concepts of race and racism so embedded in our culture, that kids as young as 3 have a racial identity? How do environment and family dynamics impact a child's perceived sense of self? These were just some of the questions a husband-and-wife team of psychologists asked during their groundbreaking investigation of the racial formation of young Black children. During the 1940s, Kenneth and Mamie Clark recorded the negative impacts of segregation through a series of studies and experiments which came to be known as the “Doll Tests.” A student would choose between a Black doll and a White one when asked a series of questions, like “Which doll is the good doll?” or “which doll is the pretty doll?” Most Black children chose White dolls, and to the dismay of the Clarks, some students were upset and felt devastated after having to identify with the doll they had previously labeled as bad or ugly.   I SEE U host Eddie Robinson candidly chats with acclaimed author, Tim Spofford, about his latest book, What the Children Told Us: The Untold Story of the Famous “Doll Test” and the Black Psychologists Who Changed the World. Spofford, who grew up in an all-white mill town in upstate New York, shares his thoughts on why he felt the need to tell the full story of this pioneering couple – whose research, scholarship and activism played a critical role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which declared the infamous “separate but equal” doctrine unconstitutional. He also offers up insight on how today's generation of children would perform if given the same doll tests from back in the day.

Racism is deeply complex and multifaceted, especially when a historically marginalized group can experience discrimination while simultaneously be discriminatory. Take for instance, the gunman who committed the 2023 mass shooting at an outlet mall some 25 miles north of Dallas; the arsonist who set fire to a mosque in Victoria, Texas; or the former national chairman of the right-wing extremist group, known as the Proud Boys, and his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The perpetrators who carried out these tragic events were all Latino. What do U think would draw Latinos to harbor white supremacist views and why do U think extremist groups are, in turn, embracing them? Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson sits down with acclaimed author, Tanya Katerí Hernández, for a provocative conversation that examines racial beliefs in the Latino community. Her latest book, Racial Innocence: Unmasking Latino Anti-Black Bias and the Struggle for Equality, explores the challenges and complexities associated with race, skin color, stereotypes and cultural symbols that inform the interactions and prejudices of Latinos in the United States. The Fordham University Professor of Law unpacks a misconception that Latinos could be exempt from experiencing racism or discrimination because of their background or ethnicity. Plus, she shares her vulnerabilities in how colorism plays out in her own family. As a Latino, and a Black woman with a leadership role in academia, Hernández also touches on the recent controversies at major universities, where Black women accused of being ‘diversity hires' with radical race agendas are being pushed out of the workforce. Does she fear for her own job given her focus on race and the law?

When a defiant opponent of the apartheid government was assassinated during the Easter weekend in 1993, South Africans were certain that all hell would break loose. The country was slowly moving towards the dismantling of the apartheid system and transition to a true democracy. But the murder of Chris Hani, carried out by a white supremacist in broad daylight, threatened to provoke a civil war and rollback the peace process. Were there other extremists, potentially even members of the government, involved in this plot to rid the nation of Chris Hani, a popular heir apparent to anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela? Rookie journalist Justice Malala was one of the first reporters at the crime scene over three decades ago. His latest book, The Plot to Save South Africa, takes readers on a riveting, nine-day account of what transpired and how a country on the brink survived falling into a civil war. Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with renown political commentator and best-selling author, Justice Malala. The award-winning storyteller will dive deep into how Mandela's leadership style and his ability to reach out to adversaries ultimately set the stage for a new South Africa. As we continue to highlight untold cultural histories throughout February, Malala will also take a provocative look at how a system that Hani so relentlessly fought for until his death, ironically helped save the life of the assassin who sought to eradicate his life's work. 

His father, born into slavery, had become one of the first African American millionaires in the United States. His mother, though devoted to Black civil rights, was a renowned actress and had kept her racial background a secret. And in 1897, Alonzo and Adrienne Herndon had a son – their only child – named Norris Herndon, who would become the second President, inherited by his father, of the historic, Black-owned Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Behind the scenes, Norris was a major financier of the Civil Rights Movement and often gave large sums of money to several organizations, community groups and universities. He also lived a very private life and learned to hide his attraction for men. Could his homosexuality be a reason why his story remains unknown to so many people? Join host Eddie Robinson as I SEE U takes an in-depth look at the life of Norris Herndon with insight and perspective from writer/columnist, Ryan Lee and history scholar, Pamela Flores – both based in Atlanta.

Community organizer Daniel Banks describes the aura of a former Ku Klux Klan auditorium in Fort Worth, Texas as having “blood in the bricks.” Banks is involved with a project designed to confront the painful histories of this nation by stimulating dialogue and promoting human rights for all. Built in 1924, the intimidating 22,000-foot, imposing red-brick building once served as headquarters, both for the local chapter of the KKK, and for the entire state of Texas, where they staged marching practices, hosted minstrel shows and gathered frequently to strategize their agenda. Over 100 years later, an alliance of eight organizations will transform this structure into a cultural center and “safe space” for the very communities once terrorized by the KKK. Join us for a provocative conversation with I SEE U host Eddie Robinson as he speaks candidly with Daniel Banks. He's a founding board member of Transform 1012 N. Main Street, a Texas-based coalition of local arts, grassroots and service organizations that seeks to convert the space into a beacon of truth-telling, healing and liberation. Banks sheds light on how such a monument of hate has remained within blocks to Fort Worth's City Hall until now.

As we honor and pay tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this national holiday weekend, many Black American parents are taking this opportunity to educate their children—and have THE TALK, an unguarded conversation about racism, discrimination and the richness of Black culture. Those sometimes difficult conversations served as inspiration for children's book author, Tami Charles – who wrote and used her own New York Times best-selling picture book, “All Because You Matter,” as a springboard to navigate through the intense dialogues she's had with her son. Join Host Eddie Robinson as he chats candidly with acclaimed writer, Tami Charles. The former New Jersey schoolteacher sheds light on the obstacles she's experienced as a woman of color who found it even more of a challenge to maneuver through the children's book industry. Her latest book, “We Are Here,” celebrates the extraordinary history of trailblazers, including Dr. King, who sacrificed their lives in hopes of building a better future for all people.

Whether U are a Republican, a Democrat, or neither, why do U think there still exists such deep divides in this country? Why do we have a never-ending fight for a democracy, that is for everybody? In 1960 at an elementary school in New Orleans, why was there so much hate from outraged protesters, white parents, who were yelling and shouting at a Black six-year-old girl who simply wanted a better future? And just three years ago in Washington, D.C. on the steps of the Capitol, what prompted thousands of angry rioters to call for the Vice President of the United States to be hanged? Join us, as host Eddie Robinson tackles these questions and more with the award-winning historian and author of Civil War by Other Means: America's Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy, Jeremi Suri. The University of Texas at Austin history professor stops by our I SEE U studios in Houston to explore how decisions made in the wake of the Civil War have culminated into a civil breakdown in equality that continues to unravel the nation's political infrastructure. He argues that what should have been a moment of national renewal and rehabilitation of freedom for everyone after the Civil War, ultimately fell apart with competing visions of democracy that still linger today. In this Season 5 opener, Suri reveals portions of a remarkable history left untold, biases he's grappling with personally as well as any possible solutions that can be examined for a country striving to rebuild its own future. 

Four of the largest cities in the United States are currently run by African Americans. What do U think this says about our nation when four prominent, elected officials of color have been chosen and trusted to lead four of the biggest metropolitan regions of the country? And out of each of these four mayors: Eric Adams of New York City; Karen Bass of Los Angeles; Brandon Johnson of Chicago; Sylvester Turner is the only top city administrator who still resides in the same community where he grew up—Acres Homes, a sprawling working-class neighborhood in northwest Houston that's predominantly Black. What do U think this says about him and his character? Join us as I SEE U travels to City Hall where host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with the chief executive officer of the city of Houston – Mayor Sylvester Turner. As the former lawyer wraps up his two-term tenure in office, Turner reflects on his life, his career in politics and how his upbringing prepared him to take on persistent issues and majors challenges of a Democratic blue city that's deeply rooted inside a Republican red state. He also candidly reveals the complexities of his relationship with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and why he hasn't directly communicated with him for over two years.

Clean energy researcher Roishetta Ozane is a single mother of six children and lives in a Louisiana town that scientists have called, "the heart of America's climate crisis." With her Lake Charles-area home surrounded by refineries, natural gas facilities and petrochemical plants, her family has been inundated with ‘shelter-in-place' alerts and storm-related emergency alarms throughout their lives. Witnessing so much systemic hardship, Ozane created a mutual aid organization to help communities of color and low-income residents navigate government agencies to obtain relief after disasters strike. And she uses her platform to speak out publicly as an advocate for environmental justice at local forums, municipal hearings and regional climate conferences. But are state juries, industry leaders and agency officials willing to listen and take action? Stay tuned as I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with the founder of The Vessel Project of Louisiana, Roishetta Ozane. She speaks unguarded about her passion to build solidarity around an effort to combat climate change. A survivor of a 17-year abusive relationship, Ozane reminds us that while the industry sector continues to expand, worsening storms and violent hurricanes will repeatedly use this vulnerable Gulf Coast region as target practice.

Six-time Grammy winner and electronic DJ, Sonny Moore, aka Skrillex, recently released a trove of new music after a nearly decade-long hiatus of full-length solo material. Through a mutual friend, the visionary producer was introduced to a Palestinian vocalist by the name of Nai Barghouti – an acclaimed composer and flute player who's notably famous for creating her own signature fusion of jazz and Middle Eastern soundscapes. But what happens when you blend her angelic, and often times, enchanting voice with a pulsating techno beat and rhythmic, percussive claps? Stay tuned as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with renowned singer-songwriter, Nai Barghouti. We explore the meaning behind their collaborative track called, "XENA," including a deep dive into Palestinian folklore and the song's cultural message of empowerment. The instrumentalist also describes her unique vocal style and how she's used one of the most traumatic experiences of her childhood, while living in Jerusalem under military occupation, as inspiration for her remarkable musical career.

Acclaimed lyricist, Fat Tony, has played a significant role in shaping Houston's rap scene with his unique style of music. Raised in the city's historic Third Ward, he has family roots in Nigeria – a part of the world where emerging singers and songwriters from the region are finding success on American music charts. Consequently, mainstream pop acts have been taking notice and are quickly jumping on their cultured bandwagon with featured collaborations. Join I SEE U Host Eddie Robinson for a very candid conversation with master storyteller, Fat Tony, about his music career, the future of hip-hop and how Prince inspires his creativity. The rapper also explains why so many fans of different races and ethnicities gravitate to his music—a notion that tends to ring true for other renown Houston artists and performers.

Nearly 80 years ago, a group of Yale scholars decided amongst themselves to add the word, "homosexual," in the Bible after mistranslating Greek text. Researchers have said this mistake changed the course of modern history as we know it. The misinterpretation also caused a lesbian Christian to explore this incident and earn the trust of those same researchers by capturing their discovery on film. Join us as host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with Sharon "Rocky" Roggio, the director behind the controversial film, "1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture." Roggio provides I SEE U with an in-depth look at how this misinterpretation came about and what the evidence from the translation committee revealed. We'll also learn more about how she navigated through her own religious environment as well as her desire to change a narrative that speaks to all LGBTQ individuals being acknowledged as equals – and not be seen as "others," or "less than." Despite the documentary receiving backlash from religious writers who, according to the director, haven't seen the film, "1946" has already picked up praise and several prestigious awards during its festival circuit quest.

Legendary actor Glynn Turman remembers a time when hardly any Black men or women were prominently featured in television. Over six decades later, he's played hundreds of characters in film, TV and on-stage, including work as an acclaimed writer, producer and director – both in theater and television. Notable roles include the 2020 Netflix film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom; the FX drama series, FARGO; more recently, the Paramount sports comedy, 80 for Brady, and an upcoming biographical film, Rustin, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground. His acting career started as a 12-year-old, when friend of the family—esteemed playwright, Lorraine Hansberry—asked permission from his mother to star alongside Sydney Poitier, Louis Gosset Jr. and Ruby Dee in the original Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun. But it was his movie role in 1975's Cooley High, that he admits to I SEE U of his defining moment as an actor. Join us as host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with celebrated actor, Glynn Turman. The Emmy Award winner will share riveting stories and narratives of how he's managed longevity in the industry. Turman will also offer up a preview of his new documentary, his love and passion for horses as well as his fondest memory of being married to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Four of the largest cities in the United States are currently run by African Americans. What do you think this says about our nation when four prominent, elected officials of color have been chosen and trusted to lead four of the biggest metropolitan regions of the country? And out of each of these four mayors: Eric Adams of New York City; Karen Bass of Los Angeles; Brandon Johnson of Chicago; Sylvester Turner is the only top city administrator who still resides in the same community where he grew up—Acres Homes, a sprawling working-class neighborhood in northwest Houston that's predominantly Black. What do you think this says about him and his character? Join us as I SEE U travels to City Hall where host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with the chief executive officer of the city of Houston – Mayor Sylvester Turner. As the former lawyer wraps up his two-term tenure in office, Turner reflects on his life, his career in politics and how his upbringing prepared him to take on persistent issues and majors challenges of a Democratic blue city that's deeply rooted inside a Republican red state. He also candidly reveals the complexities of his relationship with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and why he hasn't directly communicated with him for over two years.

In January of 2017, a mosque in Victoria, Texas was set on fire just hours after then-President Donald Trump signed a controversial executive order restricting migration from Muslim-majority countries. Victoria law enforcement officials and conservative town administrators were quick to praise local Muslim leadership for not jumping to conclusions that this fire was intentional. How can this “praise” be interpreted? Some might argue and see it as community leaders being passive or docile to avoid fueling a political firestorm. But after six years of reflection and the release of a documentary that explores the burning of the Victoria Islamic Center, the arsonist and the aftermath from the incident—what will it take for a quiet religious community to survive a hate crime? Join us as host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with award-winning filmmaker, Li Lu—director of the PBS docu-series, A Town Called Victoria. In this 100th I SEE U episode recorded live in front of a sold-out studio audience at the historic DeLUXE Theater in Houston's 5th Ward, Eddie leads a provocative panel conversation with Lu, along with Muslim American community members of Victoria and Houston as they reveal unguarded perspectives about their experiences in the years after the blaze. Can collective healing and restorative justice ever exist in this divisive town? I SEE U panelists include producer/director, Li Lu; Victoria Islamic Center members: Abe and Heidi Ajrami, Dr. Shahid Hashmi, Omar and Lanell Rachid; along with Houston-area filmmaker, Fatima Hye.

During the Civil Rights Movement, not only did African-Americans fight for equal protection under the law, but White Americans were also risking their lives in the name of social justice. Some were even murdered for participating in marches and protests aimed at ending segregation and racial discrimination. But in today's political climate and divisiveness, how come more White Americans prefer to remain silent on measures that support systemic change to end racism? Host Eddie Robinson returns from paternity leave and chats candidly with Joan Mulholland, the first White member of the historically Black organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her son, Loki Mulholland, who's an acclaimed film director and human rights activist, Mac Hulslander—the father of I SEE U's Technical Director, Todd Hulslander—offer up their own perspectives in this very provocative episode.

Betty Ann Kilby and her family were terrorized when they defied their local school board and the governor of Virginia to desegregate the only high school in their county in 1959. And yet, nearly 50 years later, in 2007, she was willing to talk to a descendant of a family who had once enslaved her ancestors. It was a defining move reminiscent of a well-known quote in Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's ‘I Have a Dream' speech of 1963. The passage read in part: "I have a dream that one day... the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood." Join us as two courageous women take a seat at the I SEE U table of sisterhood and chat unguarded with Host Eddie Robinson about the power of forgiveness, acceptance and reconciliation. "Wit, Wills and Walls" author, Dr. Betty Kilby Fisher Baldwin, reveals to I SEE U surprising details never-before-told of her personal life; and Phoebe Kilby, co-author of the book, "Cousins," candidly shares her own insight into attitudes toward reparations and how White Americans whose families owned slaves grapple with stories and narratives of descendants who are now starting to trace their hidden histories linked to some form of enslavement.

Zee Clarke received her Harvard MBA and spent over two decades leading teams at FORTUNE 500 companies and tech startups. But after instances of being racially-profiled, experiencing microaggressions at work and even being harassed by police, she realized how breathing exercises were so critical to her mental health – not only to survive, but to also thrive in a world that felt slow to change. Through her holistic training in India, Clarke felt a passionate desire to share these practices with others, particularly Blacks – since researchers have linked systemic racism with ailments related to high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety and depression among communities of color. Join us as I SEE U's Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with Zee Clarke, author of the book, "Black People Breathe." The acclaimed writer shares breathing techniques and tips as well as illustrates some exercises for the host to try out. She also describes how to identity notions of family-inherited trauma and what tools could be useful to help end the cycle of suffering.

As a group of white women sit at a fancy dining room table, sip wine and pass the breadbasket ready to eat, another woman—the only Black woman at the table—asks a stunning question to the guests: “How many of you would trade places with a Black person in this society?” The silence that instantly hovers over the dinner crowd was not only deafening but also revealing. Entrepreneurs Saira Rao and Regina Jackson have designed a program that radically educates a specific group of individuals who they say are directly responsible for the racism and discrimination happening in this country. Their unique tactic is to facilitate honest conversations and sometimes uncomfortable dialogue over an illustrious dinner. These powerful dinner experiences offer up an opportunity for white women to acknowledge their own racism and how they benefit from white privilege—regardless of a political party affiliation. Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with New York Times best-selling authors, Saira Rao and Regina Jackson, for a provocative discussion about their no-holds-barred campaign. We'll learn more about their Race2Dinner movement, as well as take a deep dive into their latest book, “White Women: Everything You Already Know about Your Own Racism and How to Do Better,”—which serves as a call to action to those who are looking to take the next steps in dismantling white supremacy. Both Rao and Jackson have also released a documentary available on Apple TV and Prime Video entitled, Deconstructing Karen, where viewers become a “fly on the wall” during one of these eye-opening dinners.

Renowned composer and drummer Kendrick Scott is putting anecdotes of his learnings from mentor and distinguished trumpeter, Terence Blanchard, into action by leveraging his musical gifts into a visceral artform of healing and redemption. Through original music mixed with poetry and striking visuals, the multimedia event entitled, “UNEARTHED,” featured Scott collaborating with former Houston poet laureate, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, the acclaimed Harlem String Quartet along with a trio of talented jazz musicians. Hosted by the arts organization, DACAMERA, the production served as a tribute to the tragic history behind “Sugar Land 95,” the collective name given to the 94 Black men and one woman who were part of a state-run convict leasing program of the late 1800s following the abolition of slavery. Their bodies, buried in unmarked graves, were discovered five years ago during an excavation project in the now trendy suburb of Sugar Land, Texas. I SEE U ventured offsite to tour an exhibit of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial Project in Episode #46. Efforts to expand the memorial are currently underway with the construction of an outdoor learning area and a revitalized cemetery slated to be completed by 2025. In this week's episode, host Eddie Robinson chats in-studio with Houston-native, Kendrick Scott about his decision to shed light on an untold, dark history. We'll hear exclusive audio excerpts from the one-night-only event which premiered in May at Houston's Wortham Theater. Scott also shares inspiration behind the creation of his band, Oracle and reveals how the pandemic, the quarantining, as well as the isolation all played a significant role in the recording of his latest Blue Note release, Corridors. Check out our companion Spotify playlist that celebrates acclaimed composer, drummer and Houston-native, Kendrick Scott. This playlist includes Scott's many inspirations, current collaborators and heroes.

Kathleen McElroy was tapped to lead a new journalism program at her alma mater—Texas A&M, a university that boasts the largest student body in the entire country. Her experience included decades at the New York Times and a reputation for promoting diversity in the workplace. With fanfare usually reserved for college coaches and athletes, McElroy's signing ceremony took place in the center of the campus not too far from a prominent former Confederate general's statue—Lawrence Sullivan Ross. But the university buckled under backlash. A watered down job offer fell apart and was ultimately rejected after powerful individuals close to A&M expressed opposition over her previous work in diversity. Consequently, a forthcoming state law banning diversity measures at public colleges has only added more political fuel to a controversial fire. So did it take a million dollar settlement for regents to get the result they eventually wanted all along? Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson talks candidly with UT-Austin's Journalism Professor, Dr. Kathleen McElroy. She opens up about her quest for encouraging young students to pursue journalism in helping them find their own unique voice in becoming accurate, unbiased storytellers. McElroy also explores how growing up in Third Ward, Houston provided a sense of empowerment that would essentially shape her into the celebrated woman she is today.

The Renaissance World Tour is an energetic, visual, two-and-a-half-hour musical journey, showcasing the latest album of award-winning singer-songwriter, Beyoncé. The event has broken ticket sales records worldwide with each performance stimulating regional economies along the way. Running almost parallel with Beyoncé's tour is pop singer Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which pays homage to her own musical career and has also garnered unprecedented success in ticket sales and global economic impact. But with the Renaissance tour, Bey's performances speak more to notions of identity and race, where past and present traumas of being Black, being gay and being unnoticed are transformed into a cultural vibe that embodies inspiration, freedom of expression, purpose and personal empowerment. Join us as host Eddie Robinson pays tribute to the Houston native and chats candidly with New York Times business reporter, Jordyn Holman, along with Harrison Guy, founder of Urban Souls Dance Company. Holman shares her insight into why there's an interest in comparing these two female trailblazers in pop culture. Guy, who's also an acclaimed choreographer, offers up perspective into the person who inspired the energy behind the Renaissance album—Uncle Johnny, a gay man who helped raise Beyoncé and her sister Solange as young girls but died from complications related to HIV. Legendary Houston DJ Tony Powell also makes an I SEE U appearance to share historical color and context to a vibrant, liberating vintage Bayou City that existed within the Black queer community.

Houston is home to the most successful musical talent in the world. But decades ago, the city was once the epicenter for the blues genre. Why has the city's blues history been neglected for so long? Stay tuned as host Eddie Robinson chats unguarded with acclaimed filmmaker, Drew Barnett-Hamilton. Her new documentary, When Houston Had The Blues, is currently touring the festival circuit with an astonishing goal of putting the city of Houston on the map as a major music city. The film explores the blues scene and culture from back in the day – from Texas bluesman and guitarist Sam “Lightnin'” Hopkins; superstar singer Bobby “Blue” Bland; to renowned blues saxophonist Grady Gaines and influential songstress ‘Big Mama' Thornton – even rock pioneer Little Richard signed a recording contract with a label based out of Houston. Barnett-Hamilton takes I SEE U on a vintage musical journey that showcases the artists, the performance venues, and the Bayou City's unique role in defining this remarkable genre.

For decades, barbershops have served as special places for people of color. The barber plays a major role in not only providing hair care services, but for many Black men, in particular, this person is responsible for how their customers are viewed and seen by society. Notions of identity, appearance and character are often assessed, evaluated, measured—even stereotyped by the way a Black man's hair is styled or fashioned. But what happens when haircutting suites and brick-and-mortar barbershops become safe havens? These establishments bring a unique sense of energy and refuge where Black men turn to for comfort, networking, career insight, health advice and gossip – a destination where they can discuss anything, from sports to politics—and not have to worry about being discriminated against or humiliated. Join us as Host Eddie Robinson takes I SEE U away from the broadcast studio and into Ken's Kutting Shoppe – a Black-owned barbershop and hair salon located near NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The owner, Ken Hicks, as well as one of his employees, Derrick Williams, share their stories of overcoming obstacles and a deadly pandemic all while transforming the lives of Black men (and their hair) for nearly 30 years.

Former NFL player, Ryan Russell, tells I SEE U that he feels there is an imbalance in male athletics where society does not encourage, support or sustain LGTBQ+ youth in sports, much less create safe space environments early in their development. His latest memoir, “The Yards Between Us,” has allowed him to reminisce on narratives of his own past—of growing up in conservative Dallas; shy, loving the game but struggling with expectations of being Black in the South; and learning to hide things about himself while playing as a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills. Stay tuned as host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with author and social justice advocate, R.K. Russell, who made history by becoming the first out active athlete in the NFL to identify as bisexual. He explores the notion of why players are, at times, showered with support from the league and teammates after coming out but then later find themselves unemployed. Russell, whose boyfriend is a professional dancer, also shares personal insight on interracial relationships and whether the stigma around couples of different races and ethnicities remains.

With a successful career in entertainment alongside his business partner, EGOT-winning musician John Legend, renowned producer Mike Jackson tells I SEE U he has a responsibility to bring multicultural content to global audiences. The Philly-native has produced countless projects with major networks, including ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO, Showtime, Netflix and FX. But what obstacles can exist in film, TV and theater pitch sessions when more diverse projects are shunned or snubbed by studio, production agents and network executives? Join us as host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning producer, co-founder and managing partner of Get Lifted Film Co., Mike Jackson. He shares insight on how he's been able to navigate through instances of prejudice and exclusionism as he continues his work of elevating Black artists and Black voices through different forms of media and digital platforms. Jackson, who now calls Austin his home, reveals his key ingredient to telling a remarkable story and provides details on a discussion series that he leads for people of color and underrepresented communities in media hosted at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas called, Why Not Me? Our unguarded conversation also explores the intentions and motives behind Jackson's ambitions and whether he's leveraged the star-power of established entertainer, John Legend, to achieve his own personal success as an award-winning producer.

Reginald DesRoches, the eighth president of one of the most prestigious universities in the country, recently completed the first year of his historical post. The Haitian-native is the first Black president, the first immigrant and the first engineer to ever lead Rice since the founding of the university in 1921. But the history of Rice is a bit complicated and very controversial. Join I SEE U as host Eddie Robinson chats candidly with the Chief Executive Officer of Rice, Dr. Reginald DesRoches. A university that once banned Black undergraduates from attending, DesRoches shares his feelings about leading an institution whose founder, William Marsh Rice, profited from the slave trade. With DesRoches establishing the first Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Rice, a private institution, he offers up his perspective as to why state lawmakers are looking to dismantle those same offices at public universities across Texas. Plus, we learn more about his mentor—the former president of Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Ruth Simmons—and the role she's played in his career since his arrival at Rice in 2017. A pioneer in higher education herself, Simmons now serves as the President's Distinguished Fellow and Advisor at Rice.