Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Yilian Canizares Part 2 - Violinist, Vocalist, Composer, Activist

She’s back...and we couldn’t be more excited! So much has happened in the life of Yilian Canizares since our first conversation a while ago. This multi-talented violinist, vocalist and composer makes beautiful music by artfully blending jazz, classical music and her Afro-Cuban roots with her unique voice. She’s also an artist with a social conscience and to that end, has been invited to perform during the United Nations World Oceans day on June 8, 2021. For this very special occasion, Yilian will perform Yemaya, her own composition, which pays tribute to the West African Goddess of the Sea. Sit back and enjoy another powerful conversation with this classy, committed, creative woman!

Johanna Fernandez - Professor, Activist, Author, and Editor

Professor, activist, author, editor, Johanna Fernandez, PhD, teaches 20th Century U.S. History and the history of social movements at Baruch College City University of New York. Her book, “The Young Lords: A Radical History,” chronicles the Puerto Rican counterpart to the Black Panther Party. Dr. Fernandez filed a freedom of Information lawsuit against the New York Police Department, which led to the recovery of the largest repository of police surveillance records in the country, including those of Malcolm X. You can't afford to miss our 'no holds barred' conversation with this passionate, accomplished, inspirational 'force of nature.'

Joyce Scott - Artist, Performance Artist, Lecturer

Artist, sculptor, weaver, print maker, quilter, performance artist, lecturer, educator, MacArthur Fellowship recipient, Joyce Scott is all of the above! Well known for her work in jewelry, glass, and beadwork, she has been called the "Queen of Beadwork." Joyce is renowned for her social commentary on issues such as racism, classism, sexism, violence and cultural stereotypes. Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions all over. Join us for a no-holds barred, fascinating conversation with this 'force of nature.'

Ashley Nicole Black, Is Back

It's been a while since we first met and got to know the very funny and talented Ashley Nicole Black and so we thought it's time for a 'part 2.' Ashley, who was a former correspondent and part of the Emmy-winning writing team for "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," is now a member of HBO's new comedy series, "A Black Lady Sketch Show." It's a big deal because the cast, writers room and director are all black women. There's lot to talk and laugh about with this open, honest, irreverent creative woman!

Rachel Dretzin, Filmmaker

Meet Emmy award winning director Rachel Dretzin (PBS' Frontline), who has been producing and directing documentaries since 1994. Rachel, along with her husband, are the founders of Ark Media, a Brooklyn-based documentary production company. "Far From the Tree," Rachel's first feature documentary, is based on the New York Times best seller by Andrew Solomon. It explores the difficulties and challenges of raising a child who has Downs syndrome, dwarfism, autism, deafness, mental illness, is a child prodigy, or are transgender. The power of documentaries to educate, inform, empower is a focus of this fascinating, important and honest conversation with this committed, creative, accomplished woman.

Talya Tibbon, Filmmaker

Talya Tibbon is an award-winning documentary film and television director, producer and writer whose projects have focused on contemporary social and political issues. Talya has documented street gangs, drug dealers and users, former Guantanamo detainees setting out on a new path and now, perhaps the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time - the plight of refugees leaving war-ravaged Syria to seek asylum  in other countries. Her riveting documentary "SKY AND GROUND" chronicles the journey of one such family as they make their way from Aleppo, Syria, to a refugee camp on the border of Greece and Macedonia, to their eventual goal - Berlin. You can't afford to miss this honest, compelling conversation with one helluva creative, committed woman.

Civia Tamarkin

In her decades long career as an award-winning investigative journalist, former television executive and documentary filmmaker, much of Civia Tamarkin's focus has been on criminal and social justice. She's covered stories all around the world, including the fall of Vietnam. Her latest project is "Birthright: A War Story." This riveting, feature length documentary tells the story of "how women have become collateral damage in the aggressive campaign to take control of reproductive health care and to allow states, courts and religious doctrine to govern whether, when and how women will bear children." This is yet another conversation you can't afford to miss.

Meg Heubeck, Educator

As Director of Instruction for the Youth Leadership Initiative at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, it's Meg Heubeck's mission/job to teach civil discourse to those who have yet to vote - our nation's young people. And to that end, Meg has connected with 70,000 teachers across the country, providing them with full lesson plans to help prepare students, as young as kindergarteners, to be active participants in American democracy. In a word, Meg is amazing. Tune in and find out for yourself.

Ashley Nicole Black, Comedian/Writer

Meet Ashley Nicole Black, the Emmy-nominated comedy writer/correspondent for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which in case you didn't know, is not only the first political talk show hosted by a woman, but has THE most diverse writing staff in late night history!  Ashley began her comedy career at Second City in Chicago after earning a Masters in performance studies at Northwestern. She dropped out of a PhD program to pursue comedy and the rest is history! Sit back, tune in and let Ashley make your day!

Alexis Okeowo, Journalist

What's it like working as a foreign correspondent? You're about to find out. Alexis Okeowo spent a good part of her career in Nigeria, Uganda and Mexico freelancing for various publications/organizations, including the New York Times Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Financial Times and the international news agency, Agence France-Press. Alexis, who joined the New Yorker as a staff writer in 2015, is working on a book: A Moonless, Starless Sky: Womoen and Men Fighting Extremism in Africa. She shares the challenges and rewards of global reporting as a woman in what's typically thought of as a man's world.