Roots, Race & Culture Season 3 Promotional Copy

Promotional Copy

PBS Utah is thrilled to announce the return of Roots, Race & Culture for its highly anticipated third season. Continuing their mission of fostering open, honest conversations about identity and culture, hosts Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald engage with Utah's Black and POC communities to provide unique perspectives, insights, and experiences.

The upcoming season features a diverse lineup of guests, including newsmakers, change makers, experts, and entrepreneurs. With humor, empathy, and candor, each episode offers engaging dialogue that sparks understanding and enlightenment.

Episode 1 kicks off the season by exploring the topic of race and the beauty standard. Tiffany Rasmussen and Dr. Harjit Kaur join the discussion to shed light on the impact of racial biases and Eurocentric beauty standards. They candidly share personal experiences, addressing societal pressures and biases faced by people of color. The episode emphasizes the importance of embracing natural beauty and challenging the norms that perpetuate discrimination.

In Episode 2, Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald lead a conversation on the state of diversity and inclusion in America. Joined by Dr. Sidney Shorter and Nikki Walker, they examine the obstacles in achieving true equality and inclusiveness throughout society. Reflecting on the events of 2020 that amplified the importance of diversity and equity, the panel delves into the swift backlash against these initiatives and explores the skepticism surrounding their implementation.

Episode 3 delves into the issue of distrust in healthcare, particularly within marginalized communities. By highlighting historical events such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the alarming healthcare disparities faced by minority communities, the panelists bring awareness to the reasons behind this distrust. They discuss the necessary education and training for healthcare professionals to better serve their black patients and address the efforts being made to diminish healthcare disparities at the state level.

The final episode of the season, Episode 4, celebrates the vibrant history of Jazz music in Utah. Lonzo and Danor engage in dialogue with guests Dee Dee Darby Duffin and George Brown to uncover the evolutionary path of jazz in the Beehive State. From its rise during the 1940s to 1960s at Ski Resorts to its significance in music education, culture, and nightlife today, the episode pays tribute to Utah's rich jazz legacy. It highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage and creating spaces for artistic expression, enriching the lives of Utah residents for years to come.

Roots, Race & Culture Season 3 on PBS Utah promises to deliver enlightening and inspiring conversations that celebrate identity and culture. Don't miss the season premiere on Thursday, October 5, at 9:30 p.m. Tune in to PBS Utah or stream previous seasons anytime on pbsutah.org and the PBS App.

Episode Descriptions

Episode 1 - Race & The Beauty Standard

Episode 1 explores the topic of race and the beauty standard, shedding light on the impact of racial biases and Eurocentric standards of beauty. The episode features guests Tiffany Rasmussen and Dr. Harjit Kaur as they engage in a conversation about the societal pressures and biases faced by people of color.

Drawing inspiration from Malcolm X's 1962 speech, the episode questions the origins of the hatred and negativity surrounding various physical features, such as hair texture, skin color, body shape, and more. It delves into the damaging effects of these beauty standards and the ways in which they have been ingrained in society.

The panelists discuss their personal experiences and share their perspectives on the need for greater diversity and inclusivity within the beauty industry. They emphasize the importance of embracing one's natural beauty and challenging the societal norms that perpetuate self-hate and discrimination.

Episode 2 - Is Diversity & Inclusion Under Attack

Episode 2 delves into the state of diversity and inclusion in America. Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald moderate a conversation with guests Dr. Sidney Shorter and Nikki Walker, aiming to examine whether these values are currently being challenged. They seek to understand the obstacles faced in achieving true equality and inclusiveness throughout society.

The episode reflects on the events of 2020, when global protests erupted following the death of George Floyd. This led to increased attention being placed on diversity, equity, and inclusion in various arenas, such as universities, corporations, and government programs. However, a swift and severe backlash against these initiatives emerged in subsequent years. In Utah, for example, four bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion were introduced in the 2023 legislative[1] session alone. Similar challenges are occurring in other states. These recent developments have perplexed many who have been at the forefront of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

The panel poses questions and offers insights exploring how something that appeared to be a vital force for societal betterment can now be viewed skeptically.

Episode 3 - Distrust in Healthcare

In Episode 3 the conversation revolves around the issue of distrust in healthcare, particularly within marginalized communities. Lonzo and Danor engage in heartfelt discussions with healthcare professionals and community advocates to understand the historical factors behind this mistrust and explore possible solutions for rebuilding confidence in the healthcare system.

The episode highlights historical events such as the experimentation on enslaved Africans, the infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and the alarming morbidity and maternal mortality rates among Black[2] [3] women. These instances contribute to a broader understanding of the reasons for healthcare distrust among minority communities.

The panelists also address the education and training healthcare professionals should seek to better serve their black patients and mitigate the higher risks of negative outcomes. Additionally, they explore the efforts being made by the state to diminish healthcare disparities. Through these conversations, the aim is to shed light on the importance of addressing distrust in healthcare and working towards a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for everyone.

Episode 4 - Jazzin' in the Beehive State

The final episode of season 3 celebrates the vibrant history of Jazz music in Utah. Lonzo and Danor engage in dialogue with guests Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin[4] , a Jazz Vocalist, and George Brown from the George Brown Quintet to uncover the unique evolutionary path of jazz music in the Beehive State.

The episode explores how jazz music gained momentum in Utah, particularly during the 1940s to 1960s, as musicians played at Ski Resorts and carved out a space for themselves within the music scene. The panel discusses the state of Jazz music in Utah today, including its significance in music education, culture, and nightlife. The guests share their experiences of performing in Utah and offer insights into how Jazz music can enhance the state's cultural landscape and enrich the lives of Utah residents.

Hosts and guests alike offer tribute to the rich history of Jazz music in Utah and provide a glimpse into the exciting potential of Jazz as a cultural force. A force which can contribute to the state's music legacy and enrich the lives of Utah residents for years to come. The episode underscores the importance of preserving and nurturing cultural heritage, creating spaces for artistic expression, and continuing to promote vibrant art scenes in every community.

Roots, Race & Culture Season 3 on PBS Utah promises to be another season of enlightening and inspiring conversations. Join Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald as they engage with Utah's Black and POC communities, offering a platform for discussion and understanding. Tune in to PBS Utah for the season 3 premiere of Roots, Race, and Culture Thursday, October 5 at 9:30 p.m. Stream previous seasons anytime and enjoy new episodes live pbsutah.org and the PBS App.

Media Manager

Race and The Beauty Standard

400 Character Description

Lonzo and Danor host a discussion with Tiffany Rasmussen and Dr. Harjit Kaur about race and beauty standards. Inspired by Malcolm X's 1962 speech, the episode questions negative attitudes towards physical features such as hair texture, skin color, and body shape. The panelists share personal experiences and emphasize the importance of inclusivity and embracing natural beauty.

90 Character Description

A discussion on [5] race and beauty standards emphasizing inclusion and natural beauty.

Is Diversity & Inclusion Under Attack

400 Character Description

Lonzo and Danor lead a conversation about diversity and inclusion within businesses and corporations.[6] The episode addresses the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and how this threatens progress towards equality. The guests, Dr. Sidney Shorter and Nikki Walker, provide their insights and experiences related to DEI challenges.

90 Character Description

Explore the backlash against diversity and inclusion and the threat toward equality.

Distrust in Healthcare

400 Character Description
Learn about healthcare distrust in marginalized communities. Lonzo and Danor discuss historical factors with healthcare professionals and advocates, highlighting events like experimentation on enslaved Africans and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. They explore solutions for rebuilding confidence, including education for healthcare professionals, and creating an equitable healthcare system for all.

90 Character Description

Explore healthcare distrust in marginalized communities and solutions for building equity.

Jazzin’ in the Beehive State

400 Character Description

Celebrate the history of Jazz music in Utah. Along with guests Dee- Dee Darby- Duffin and George Brown, Danor and Lonzo discuss the evolution of jazz in Utah, particularly during the 1940s to 1960s when musicians played at ski resorts and carved out a space for themselves in the music scene. The panel explores the current state of jazz in Utah and how it enhances the state's cultural landscape.

90 Character Description

Celebrate the history and cultural influence of Jazz music in Utah.