It's About Time Black Panther Party feat. Mr. Billy X Jennings

03/18/21 • 86 min

In this episode of the Things Fall Apart Podcast, Eugene and special guest host Jordan McGowan interview Mr. Billy X Jennings. Honestly, it is more of a storytelling than an interview. Mr. Jennings was a member of the Oakland chapter of the Black Panther Party from 1968 - 1974. Today, Mr. Jennings is a historian, archivist, and activist. In this episode of the Things Fall Apart podcast Mr. Jennings details his radicalization, his time in the Black Panther Party, his famous teacher, and his relationship with Dr. Huey P. Newton. Mr. Jennings also gives advice to this generations activist and speaks about the portrayal of the Black Panther Party in the media. You will not want to miss this episode! Please visit "itsabouttimebpp.com" to view the historic collection of Black Panther Party media that Mr. Jennings has collected. Also, A 55th anniversary Black Panther Party magazine will soon be available. Orders are $25. Please PayPal "[email protected]."

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ArtSoulLife

In the first episode of season 2 of The Things Fall Apart Podcast, Artist Travis Pickett joins Eugene to discuss family, fatherhood, friendship, and the nuances of creating meaningful art. Travis and Eugene discuss the beginnings of their friendship, their love for their home Southern University, and how one learns how to create. You will love this episode as you get a little bit of art, a little bit of soul, and a whole lot of life!

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Rebuilding Through Reflection: A Conversation on Art, Education, and Authenticity

Dr. Eugene Lee Johnson returns with a soul-stirring conversation alongside musician and educator Lord Dexter Jackson, kicking off a new season dedicated to rebuilding what breaks apart in our lives.
The discussion opens with a question that stops you in your tracks: "Who are you without your trauma?" Lord Dexter's candid response reveals the confident, optimistic person beneath layers of life experience. This sets the stage for an exploration of how Black Americans navigate both personal and collective trauma while striving to live authentically in a world that often demands their resilience without offering respite.
As two political science minds, Dr. LJ and Lord Dexter examine the current political landscape through a distinctly Black perspective. Rather than despair, they advocate focusing on cultural contributions and grassroots coalition-building—finding power in creativity and community when larger systems fail us.
Lord Dexter's journey as an educator reveals the delicate balance between professional boundaries and genuine care. Teaching eighth-graders in a small Louisiana town, he's transformed his classroom from just 6% meeting standards to an astonishing 94% on track for success. His approach offers wisdom for anyone in mentorship roles: "My job is to teach you, to make sure that when I have you for these 75 minutes, you leave here with knowledge."
Music emerges as both metaphor and medium for authentic expression throughout their conversation. From founding the Yellow Door Sessions for overlooked Black artists to crafting seven-minute songs in an era of two-minute streaming hits, Lord Dexter champions artistic integrity over commercial appeal. His critique of contemporary music culture cuts deep: "We need to get back to a point where artists care more about the creation of art than being heard and being seen."
The most powerful moment comes when Lord Dexter reflects on professional setbacks that threatened his sense of worth. His path from nonprofit executive to classroom teacher reveals how rebuilding often requires both self-reflection and self-compassion: "Everything doesn't fall apart because you made a mistake. Everything isn't your fault."
Ready to rebuild something in your own life? Subscribe now and join our community finding strength in vulnerability and wisdom in setbacks.