Common Narrative Media

20/06/2023

Making silly faces with my boy.
Wanted to share my remarks at Arlington’s Juneteenth Celebration.

This Juneteenth I wanted to share my remarks at our town’s Celebration.

I walked into D’Ags years ago with my husband’s standing order of one pound turkey, 1/2 pound American cheese, dressed in a head wrap and a t-shirt that read black journalists lives matter.

To say I got a few stares would be an understatement. But I had been in this situation before and placed my order.

The crew recognized it and asked me who it was for and when I told them — my husband Jonathan Copithorne, Copithorne a family with deep generational roots, I became one of them. An Arlingtonian.
It was unexpected and in the years since, I realized Arlington is a town of deep tradition and willful change.

I have always believed you have to be the change you want to see in the world. The only way I knew how to do that was through civic engagement. Prepared to knock down doors to get on a board or a commission, I found them already propped open.

When I had an idea for Black History Month banners and programming — I was met with enthusiasm.
When I joined the MLK Committee with more ideas, they made me chair.

When I met with Jill Harvey at Butternut Bakehouse down the street to ask what I can do to help, we not only formed a lasting friendship, my ideas were welcome in her bold vision for a visibly inclusive Arlington; where any person of color knows they not only belong and they are a critical part of our community.

I found that Arlington’s deep tradition is the tie that binds the ever-changing threads of our community. The amazing technicolor dreamcoat that combines countries, culture, and ideologies.
Because we belong to eachother. We belong here. All of us.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger declared ensalved people were free. Free to move about the country, join communities, make them better. Put down roots. It wasn’t easy but because of their sacrifice, I can now walk into D’Ags and be greeted with a smile, a joke, a story. My son carries the name Copithorne as a black man and is welcomed.

That is the power of community that is my ancestors wildest dreams and that is the challenge I give to you today — make your neighbor welcome. Invite them to carry Arlington’s traditions and do it proudly.

13/06/2023

BOSTON 25 GETS REAL: EQUITY IN EDUCATION

Boston 25 News is committed to digging deeper into issues affecting our local community. This 30-minute special takes an in-depth look at the issue of equity in education in our local schools. Overall, the state is still slowly recovering from the pandemic, but many issues still remain. New data shows hundreds of thousands of children are still missing from school rolls across the country. Incidents of violence continue to happen in Boston schools. Advocates say students of color and those with disabilities are at a disadvantage when it comes to admissions to the state’s vocational schools. Boston 25 News anchor Crystal Haynes talks with stake holders to explore concerns and possible solutions for these issues. We also sit down one-on-one with the new Massachusetts Secretary of Education to discuss his plans for tackling some of the equity issues facing our schools and students.
Watch online at boston25.com

09/01/2023

Call to BIPOC Artists -- Design Lightpole Banners to Celebrate Black History Month
The Arlington Human Rights Commission seeks proposals from BIPOC artists for a series of banners exploring and celebrating the history of Black business achievement in America, New England and/or Greater Boston – whatever captures your creative imagination. Proposals are due on January 25; selected artist will receive $1,000 for six designs which will be displayed along Mass Avenue for the month of February and featured on social media. Co-sponsored by the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture; more information attached and at: https://artsarlington.org/banners-for-black-history-month/

27/10/2022

Airing Mondays 1-3pm on Common Narrative with Crystal Haynes breaks down the social issues that effects our everyday lives with the change agents and thought-leaders at the center.

New season premieres Monday October 31st.

Replays on Apple Podcasts and on commonnarrative.org! Link in bio.

17/03/2022

New Year, New You? Is 2022 gonna be a year of beginnings or a year of recovery and renewal? We talk all things black self love and wellness with the CEOs of You Good Sis and TrillFit.

03/03/2022

Repost from
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Common Narrative asks breaks down some of the major civic and social issues with the change agents at the center of it all.

This week….

Jacquetta Van Zandt, political strategist and host of Politics and Prosecco podcast breaks down the Governor’s race, Wu and Methadone Mile and more!

For more Common Narrative hit us up on social at “common narrative media” and on Youtube Tune in every Thursday at 3pm on SparkFM and find past episodes on Apple Podcasts.

21/11/2021

A recent poll shows Americans by a roughly two-to-one margin say the Supreme Court should uphold Roe v. Wade. The 1973 decision that legalized abortion faces a direct challenge this court term.

On Dec. 1, justices will hear oral arguments over a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks. The court is currently weighing Texas’s controversial six-week abortion ban, which was argued before the justices on Nov. 1 and that case is moving quickly.

We break down the legal concepts, history of racism and reproductive rights and what the new laws could have on women and families with the ACLU of Massachusetts and Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts.

04/11/2021

Hey Fam!!

🚨SUNDAY ON COMMON NARRATIVE🚨

Recreational ma*****na brought in $14.9 million in tax revenue for Mass. cities and towns as industry enters 3rd year.

There are next to no black owners as the state struggles to live up to its obligations to competities of color, as spelled out by the state’s equity provision.

This week, we talk to cannabis entrepreneurs about the barriers to getting into business.
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04/11/2021

Recreational ma*****na brought in $14.9 million in tax revenue for Mass. cities and towns as industry enters 3rd year.

There are next to no black owners as the state struggles to live up to its obligations to communities of color, as spelled out by the state’s equity provision.

This week, we talk to cannabis entrepreneurs about the barriers to getting into business.

31/10/2021

SEASON 2 is coming in hot with an Elections Special with Jacquetta Van Zandt, host of Politics & Prosecco.
Residents of Boston are casting a historic vote for mayor of Boston, and a new, progressive city council. We break down the unique conditions that led to Boston electing it’s first woman of color to the mayor’s office.
Listen LIVE on sparkfmonline, Facebook and Instagram. Or check it one hour later on Apple Podcasts.

31/10/2021

29/10/2021

Are you ready?!!!

Season ✌🏾of starts this SUNDAY on .

Common Narrative examines the media’s effect on civic engagement and goes deep on those community issues that affects your daily lives.

We’re built different.

It’s about the real news and real people.

Tune in Sunday at 12pm on SparkFM online and on our page.

13/07/2021

Catch the Best of Season 1 on SPARK FM - Online every Sunday at NOON and stay connected for updates on our Season 2 drop this fall!!!

27/06/2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced Friday to more than two decades in jail following his conviction for the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison in the murder of Floyd. Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year sentence, and Chauvin’s attorney asked for probation and time served.

Plus, we are approaching the end of Pride Month and some conflict within the LGBTQ community here in Boston. Mass NOW, Trans Resistance, the Transgender Emergency Fund, and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition have been in conflict with Boston Pride, the group that organizes the city’s largest annual parade.

Joining us in conversation is Julia Golden from Trans Resistance and Rev. Cornell Brooks Professor at The Harvard Kennedy School and Director of The William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice. He is also former CEO and President of the NAACP.

12/06/2021

****We do not own the rights to this music****
Clips courtesy of the artists and BAMS FEST, Inc.

The BAMS or Boston Art & Music Soul Festival was founded in 2015 by Catherine Morris and started with 4 artists performing at normally outdoor event.

Now, they work with 400 artists and the pandemic has forced them to pivot this year.
Performances were filmed at Big Night Live music club for a virtual, streaming experience through August.

Amplify the Soul uses the musical experience to elevate those who've spent the last year on the front lines of racial equity, social justice and economic empowerment.

My interview with founder Catherine Morris and series opener Danny Rivera Jr. plus, joining us in conversation are artists Miranda Rae and Jon Hope. You can see them this summer in streaming performances as part of the Amplify the Soul Series.

More info at BAMSFEST.org

06/06/2021

Boston police say they expect to make dozens of arrests this summer in an effort to address a rise in violent crimes and open drug use in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, also known as Methadone Mile.

Parents with kids who go to school in the area, and those live and work near Mass and Cass have turned to activism after years of inaction by local and state lawmakers. It's now a central issue of the Boston mayoral race.

Join the conversation with the South End Roxbury Partnership.

28/05/2021

Join the conversation with Brian Weeden, Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoags, Faires Gray, Sagamore of the Massachusett Tribe and researcher Laurel Davis-Delano as we talk about the harm and the hazards around around the use of Native American imagery as mascots and the history of racism attached to it.

22/05/2021

The Center for Teen Empowerment (TE) is presenting their 29th Annual Youth Peace Conference: SENSELESS Smoke; a two day conference kicking off our summer 2021 campaign, Promoting Peace Through the Power of the People.

I sit down with organizers to talk about their lived experience in community and what needs to happen to address violence in the city.

The conference rnece is Wednesday May 26 and Thursday May 27: 5:30PM-7:30PM both days.

Register at: bit.ly/TE-PC-RSVP

More!
Teen Empowerment Boston’s Education Inequalities group created a Survey for students, faculty, community members of Boston to get insight on the mental and behavioral health experience in BPS and other schools in Boston. This info will be used as data for a panel during the Peace Conference: Day 2. Please fill out and share with others: https://forms.gle/9UGirx5u8oFR5Dcu7

14/05/2021

According to The Lancet science journal, 26.7 women out of 100,000 die directly as a direct result of maternal mortality. These figures have been rising exponentially in the U.S. for the past two decades. Women of color, regardless of income or education, are dying at a rate of 3 to 4 times higher.

In Massachusetts, a new legislative commission has been tasked with finding ways to eliminate or reduce racial disparities when it comes to maternal health.

Join Rep. Liz Miranda, doula Nneka Hall and advocate, Timoria Saba for a conversation around maternal health and why black mamas matter.

30/04/2021

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has lifted the state's outdoor mask mandate and relaxing other COVID-related business restrictions beginning May 10.

Starting on May 10, amusement parks and water parks will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Arenas and ballparks, which have been at 12% capacity, will move to 25% capacity. Outdoor sports events like road races and tournaments can go ahead. Indoor singing will also be allowed, though with distancing requirements.

By Aug. 1, all other businesses will be allowed to reopen or operate without capacity limitations, clearing the way for nightclubs, indoor water parks and more.

This comes as the 7-day positivity rate is 1.63% with over 17,000 confirmed deaths as of April 28, 2021.

What's the risk-reward to reopening for schools, businesses and public health? And what's the plan to get the remaining 65% of state fully vaccinated?

Join the conversation this Sunday, May 2nd, with BECMA's Segun Idowu, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association's Merrie Najimy, and Dr. Charles Horsburgh, Jr., Professor of Epidemiology at Boston University.
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30/04/2021

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has lifted the state's outdoor mask mandate and relaxing other COVID-related business restrictions beginning May 10.

Starting on May 10, amusement parks and water parks will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Arenas and ballparks, which have been at 12% capacity, will move to 25% capacity. Outdoor sports events like road races and tournaments can go ahead. Indoor singing will also be allowed, though with distancing requirements.

By Aug. 1, all other businesses will be allowed to reopen or operate without capacity limitations, clearing the way for nightclubs, indoor water parks and more.

This comes as the 7-day positivity rate is 1.63% with over 17,000 confirmed deaths as of April 28, 20201.

What's the risk-reward to reopening for schools, businesses and public health? And what's the plan to get the remaining 65% of state fully vaccinated?

Join the conversation this Sunday, May 2nd, with BECMA's Segun Idowu, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association's Merrie Najimy, and Dr. Charles Horsburgh, Jr., Professor of Epidemiology at Boston University.

25/04/2021

On April 20, 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second degree murder and second degree manslaughter in the murder of George Floyd. As the nation take a collective exhale, the conversation around policing in America continues on the very next breath.

We unpack this topic with Monica Cannon Grant of Violence in Boston, State Rep. Russell Homes and WGBH reporter Saraya Wintersmith.

18/04/2021

Black bodies are still dying in these streets and a scathing new report by Citizens for Juvenile Justice reveals nearly 5,000 police “field incident reports” from 2015 to June 2020 shows that 46 percent involved Black people. Ten officers were involved in nearly half of those incidents and primarily focused on Black or Latinx people, most of those were assigned to the department’s gang unit, according to police. Five officers accounted for 47 percent of incidents involving those under 18.

The state passed a sweeping police reform bill last year and yet its unclear if reform is possible on the states police departments.

My guests are Black and Latino Caucus Chair, Rep. Chynah Tyler and Leon Smith, Esq. Executive Director or Citizens for Juvenile Justice.

10/04/2021

04/04/2021

Had some technical issues on SPARK FM - Online, but we still in here!

The national is grappling once again with another racial reckoning after the shooting death of 6 women of Asian decent. Join my guests State Representative Tackey Chan and reporter, Jonathan Choe KOMO News for a conversation on Asian hate, the fetishization of Asian women in popular culture and the role the media has played in public perception.

29/10/2020

There is so much at stake in this election. We spoke with Will Watkins of Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts about why it is so important that you vote. To be frank, he said this election is "life or death." | You can catch our interview with Will Watkins in Episode 202. Head to www.commonnarrative.media to watch and visit www.commonnarrative.media/resources for important election day information. DON'T FORGET: Tomorrow is the last day for early in-person voting in Massachusetts.

28/10/2020

With less than one week until the election, every vote counts! For Massachusetts voters, TODAY is the last day to request a mail-in ballot, and you must do so by 5 p.m. It's important to know that at this date the ballot must be filled out and given to your city or town hall IN PERSON. If you are doing early in-person voting, the last day is Friday. Head on over to www.commonnarrative.media/resources for links to request your mail-in ballot and find your polling locations and times.

26/10/2020

Common Narrative examines the media's effect on public perception and civic engagement across all lines of diversity. There's no better time to talk about that than right now - days away from the 2020 presidential election. So, how are you feeling? Has the media's coverage of the election inspired you or has it fallen flat of what you'd like to see? Comment below and tell us what you think. | Visit www.commonnarrative.media for more.

25/10/2020

Season 2 of Common Narrative Media is BACK and there’s a lot to talk about. In Episode 1, we digest how the media covered police reform here in Massachusetts. Each week, we want to give you the tools and resources you need to stay informed and fight for your civil rights. Swipe to see what bills you should keep your eye on and visit our website for our advocacy kit and links to more resources.

24/10/2020

Good Morning, family. Have you had an opportunity to check out the Season 2 premiere? In our first episode, we spoke to Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner, and whew did he drop a word. Make sure to head to commonnarrative.media/ to watch the episode where we discuss policing and our desire for the police to be treated just like everybody else.