“Destination Freedom” Presents “Black,” Directed and Produced by donnie l. betts Dra ’90 at the Newman Center

With his radio series, Black Radio Days, donnie l. betts Dra ’90 honors the first nationwide African-American radio drama produced in Chicago 60 years ago. Having aired the historic program Destination Freedom, Betts continues its spirit with all new scripts, and recently he began a year-long look at gun violence, immigration, gender identity, and social justice with an audio voice. On Friday, March 22nd, Black by Lamaria Aminah directed and produced by betts will be performed in the Hamilton Recital Hall at the Newman Center. In keeping with the tradition of radio drama, a conversation tales place between a  black mother and a white mother who meet at a vigil for a young black man who has died at the hands of police.

After the live show, the audience will be able to enter into a discussion led by betts with a panel of community leaders, including Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz,  Black Lives Matter 5280 activists, Warm Cookies of the Revolution members, Dr. Deb Ortega of the Latino Center for Community Engagement and Scholarship at the University of Denver, and City Council member Angela Lawson. This topical one-night event should be of interest to many alumni.