5th ward

In January of 2017, a mosque in Victoria, Texas was set on fire just hours after then-President Donald Trump signed a controversial executive order restricting migration from Muslim-majority countries. Victoria law enforcement officials and conservative town administrators were quick to praise local Muslim leadership for not jumping to conclusions that this fire was intentional. How can this “praise” be interpreted? Some might argue and see it as community leaders being passive or docile to avoid fueling a political firestorm. But after six years of reflection and the release of a documentary that explores the burning of the Victoria Islamic Center, the arsonist and the aftermath from the incident—what will it take for a quiet religious community to survive a hate crime? Join us as host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with award-winning filmmaker, Li Lu—director of the PBS docu-series, A Town Called Victoria. In this 100th I SEE U episode recorded live in front of a sold-out studio audience at the historic DeLUXE Theater in Houston’s 5th Ward, Eddie leads a provocative panel conversation with Lu, along with Muslim American community members of Victoria and Houston as they reveal unguarded perspectives about their experiences in the years after the blaze. Can collective healing and restorative justice ever exist in this divisive town? I SEE U panelists include producer/director, Li Lu; Victoria Islamic Center members: Abe and Heidi Ajrami, Dr. Shahid Hashmi, Omar and Lanell Rachid; along with Houston-area filmmaker, Fatima Hye.

The T.R.U.T.H. Project is a non-profit in Houston that works to educate and mobilize LGBTQ+ communities of color and their allies, with resources that promote mental, emotional and sexual health through the arts. The group's founder, Kevin Anderson, recently received a grant to produce a new digital documentary entitled, "Black Boy Symphony." Shot at the Deluxe Theatre in Houston's historic downtown 5th Ward, the film explores the lives of several gay men of color in the wake of a global pandemic. Brave Black men of varying ages reveal plenty about their authentic selves and the challenges they face, including racism, homophobia and marginalization. Host Eddie Robinson chats with Anderson, the film's creator, along with one of the men featured in the movie, John Nicklos, in a deeply moving discussion that's bold, provocative and unguarded.

This episode I talk to writer, creator & director, Greg Carter, about this season of the UMC hit series, 5TH WARD. We discuss the importance of preserving the history of the city & 5th Ward, why it's important to employee the city in his productions and speak to cast members: Junie Hoang, Shelton Jolivette, D-Wreck of Wreckshop Records & Carter Redwood.