About the Show
The name “This Light” is inspired by the life and artistic work of Betty Mae Fikes, who at the age of 16 was arrested and put in jail for three weeks for singing “This Little Light of Mine.” Civil rights leaders recognized the power of music to encourage and rally people. This power is still used in the work of many young artists seeking liberation. As a platform for the young revolutionary artist, “This Light” will employ the same venue that has been used for corporate dominance and will instead fill the airwaves with content that elevates thought, buoys the spiri tand foments change.
“This Light” is based in Washington, DC, a collaborative between Brenda Hayes and Ben King. Episodes are available for download as podcasts, or listen live Thursday night, 11 pm - 1 am EST.
About Brenda Hayes
Brenda Hayes was inspired to start “This Light: Sounds for Social Change” after hearing an interview of Dr. Vincent Harding, who shared a story about Betty Mae Fikes. Many of the artists featured on This Light still send out the call to fight for social justice that Fikes started many years ago.
In 1980 Hayes co-founded an anti-nuclear weapons/energy orgaization called B.lacks A.gainst N.ukes, B.A.N. The organiation was a clearinghouse of information for underserved communities of color. We appeared on both radio and television talk shows, produced a monthly newsletter, held workshps at schools, elementary thru post-secondary, and had members across the globe. The organization attended, by invitation, the 40th Anniversary of the Conference Against A&H Bombs in Japan. The group disbanded in 1990.
In addition to being co-producer of “This Light: Sounds for Social Change,” Hayes is the Executive Producer of An Examined Life, a three-part documentary that examines the relationship between different communities of color against the backdrop of racism in America. The first part of the documentary is currently in production.
About Ben King
Ben King, a co-producer of This Light: Sounds for Social Change, is a multi-talented musician, and producer. He started studying trumpet at the age of seven, then expanded to study music theory, piano, jazz workshops and private lessons with Boston’s best. He attended Oberlin Conservatory and persued a religion degree from Oberlin College. Following graduation in 2008, King received the Oberlin Shansi Fellowship to Japan, where he spent a year teaching ESL, studying Japanese, and touring India and Nepal as well as Japan.
Now, King is looking at a career in media production, education, political organizing, and social entrepreneurship. In producing This Light, he hopes to explore new models for public media and music distribution. Influences include Lawrence Lessig’s Remix, sparking an interest in hybrid cultures and economies, and prompting him to focus on the intersection between art and activism.
Contacting This Light: