Tanisha Jackson

The Community Folk Art Center in Syracuse is celebrating Black History Month with a unique exhibit. WAER News caught up with Executive Director Tanisha Jackson at the gallery, and visual artist Lavett Ballard on a shaky phone line.  Ballard captures Black history by painting historical events in her series “Stories My Grandmother Told Me.” 

Rochester-based vocalist Danielle Ponder has an interesting story to tell.  The soulful singer whose touching lyrics often tell stories of pain and injustice was once a defense attorney who spent five years working as a public defender.  Her criminal justice experience inspires her work and she’ll bring her music and message to Syracuse on November 20th when she will perform a virtual concert for the Community Folk Art Center.