St. Louis on the Air

On November 17, workers in three St. Louis-area Starbucks stores left their stores to join the picket line. It wasn’t the only St. Louis-area protest staged with notable timing. Less than a week after the “Red cup rebellion” at Starbucks, dozens of Amazon warehouse workers joined a protest against their employer, calling for an end to grueling conditions and higher pay. Amazon warehouse worker Jennifer Crane, fired Starbucks supervisor Bradley Rohlf, and Starbucks barista Spencer Blackmon discuss this moment in organizing for St. Louis workers.

Dwayne Tiggs and Rikki Watts are building their home together literally and figuratively with the help from their community. The couple and their two children are in the process of constructing “the smallest house on the biggest greenspace” in the Benton Park West neighborhood using mostly reclaimed materials. Their home will be 420 square cubic feet (the original plan was just 300 square cubic feet) and will also house their two cats, Nutmeg and Joan. The rest of the 7,000 square feet of land is transforming into a permaculture space where native plants and produce will grow and the community around them to share. Tiggs and Watts want to share the fruits of their labor and teach others how they can, too, can build a home with their own two hands.

Ibram X. Kendi and Cbabi Bayoc joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss their recent collaboration on Kendi’s book, “Goodnight Racism.” Kendi and Bayoc discuss the importance of talking about racism with children, and how the prose and illustrations in “Goodnight Racism” make these concepts easier for kids to understand.

Jeremy Kohler, St. Louis-based reporter for Pro-Publica, discusses his new investigation into St. Louis’ unusual use of “neighborhood orders of protection.” Over the last two decades, the city’s government, police and municipal court have used the the practice to effectively banish people — often those with mental health issues or who may be homeless — from entire neighborhoods or large swaths of the city. According to experts in law enforcement, it’s an extreme use of the law, Kohler found.

When Darren Young and Charlene Lopez Young moved to St. Louis, they saw an opportunity to add Filipino cuisine to the city’s barbecue scene. In this episode, the married duo discuss what’s special about Filipino barbecue, how they launched their business and where they hope to go in the future.

Produced in St. Louis, the new animated kids show “Drawn In” combines comic books, representation and literacy. Alex Stallings, senior director of early learning at Nine PBS, discusses the origin of the new show, and why engaging the imaginations of young viewers is key. We’re also joined by Ricco Martin, Jr., Riley Adams, and Leia Yogi. The cadre of talented local voice actors are giving life to the show’s characters.

On Dec. 1, the City of St. Louis launched winter operations to help support people without housing during the coldest months of the year. Community volunteers and organizers who work to support those who are homeless, however, have serious concerns St. Louis is not ready for this winter. They discuss their most immediate concerns and possible solutions.

Artist Kelly Kristin Jones joined St. Louis on the Air to discuss her exhibition at The Luminary called ‘nwl’ or ‘nice white ladies’. We talk about how the exhibition addresses white women’s role in upholding white supremacy, and the importance of community conversation in rejecting it.

Artinces Smith founded Fabulously Vegan to help those considering a vegan lifestyle. Her own journey to veganism included mentors and peers who looked like her. Smith’s veganism honors and respects cultural influences, and includes advocacy for distinct and important conversations that need to happen in Black communities.

It’s December: What better time to cozy up and open a great new book? Or, perhaps you’re looking for the perfect book to give as a gift this holiday season. Librarians Tammy Jones of St. Louis County Library and Megan Temple of St. Louis Public Library share their favorite books released in 2022.