Portraits in Color
44 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsA unique look at race in America through the stories of artists, entrepreneurs, educators and culture creators. The series takes a provocative look at what it's really like to survive and thrive in a society that has been built without people of color in mind. Dr. Frank Mirabal’s experience as an artist, academic, political appointee, and cultural critic brings a unique aesthetic to the conversation.
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Episodes
Breaking Glass Ceilings: Latina Women and Their Leadership Journeys
January 26, 2022 20:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MBDr. Frank recently had the opportunity to talk with three Latina leaders working in the Albuquerque area about their leadership journeys. Marisa Magallanez, Roberta Ricci , and Meriah Heredia Griego faced significant challenges and showed great resiliency in the face of racial and gender discrimination that has kept the doors of opportunity closed to many women, particularly women of color. Learn about their stories and their commitment to opening doors for other women of color.
Soul Divine Uncovered
November 08, 2021 15:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBSoul Divine has been a staple of the Albuquerque music scene since 1997. In this episode, Dr. Frank and the members of Soul Divine share their history from the early days forming the group to opening up for the legendary James Brown. They also discuss their upcoming show "Uncovered", where they will be sharing their catalog of original music with their long-time supporters. The show on November 20, 2021 will also feature singer, songwriter Isaac Aragon and his band The Healing. Soul Divine ...
The Story of Downtown
August 11, 2021 21:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBDowntown Albuquerque. Along historic Route 66 lies a community at the intersection of what once was, and what could be. Like most places, it has seen its ups and downs. A once in a generation pandemic, a struggling economy, and issues of crime and homelessness are issues downtown residents grapple with every day. Many businesses have boarded up, opting for more economically viable and safer parts of the city. But, I spoke to 5 area business owners who embody the fighting spirit of the city a...
Stop the Asian Hate
March 22, 2021 22:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBThe recent mass shooting in Atlanta remind us of the deep divides that exist in our country. Naturally, given what we know about the case, we have to ask the question: "were the shootings racially motivated." Dr. Frank explores this question and gives insight to why we can't ignore the history of racism against Asian Americans in this country, the hateful speech that flowed as a result of the coronavirus, and the racist tropes of Asian women in particular. This episode also sheds light on ...
Can White Evangelical Church Leaders Eradicate the Racism the Church Helped Create?
March 09, 2021 03:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBThe insurrection at the Capitol Building on January 6th will be forever etched in the minds of Americans. On full display that day were White nationalists with their American and Trump 2020 flags, showing their undying love for a president who promotes hate, while also proudly carrying signs with quotes from scripture. Jer Swigart, Co-Founder of the Global Immersion Project is a peacemaker and pastor who confronts the racist past of the evangelical church and seeks to build church leader...
The Reciprocity Project
February 15, 2021 19:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBWhat would schooling look like if the school had a symbiotic relationship with the community? What would student engagement look like if we actually asked the students themselves how they wanted to be involved in their school and school community? These are some of the big questions guiding The Reciprocity Project, which is a pilot project of Future Focused Education in Albuquerque, NM. In the wake of high-stakes testing, The Reciprocity Project seeks to engage voices outside of the educati...
The Vespa Diaries
February 02, 2021 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBYou never fully appreciate life's simple pleasures until they are gone. For Greg Webb, a world traveler that has visited over 60 countries, COVID-19 has grounded his travel for almost a year now. As he will quickly acknowledge, travel restrictions are a necessary step towards getting a once in a lifetime pandemic under control. However, the itch to travel is at an all-time high. In this episode, Greg talks about his many travel adventures, including trips to Cuba, Serbia, and a hilarious ...
Finding Family Trees
January 19, 2021 15:00 - 54 minutes - 37.3 MBIn May of 2018, Tess took a DNA test and submitted it to Ancestry. A sealed adoption at birth left her with no details of her birth parents. However, submitting her DNA test was more about learning her ethnicity than finding new family members. Lacey submitted her DNA to Ancestry in 2015 at the urging of her sister Amy, who is the family historian. Unlike Tess, she was not adopted and wanted to learn more about her family history. Little did they know their worlds would collide. Their DN...
Movement Music with Baracutanga
January 05, 2021 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBBaracutanga is a seven-piece band representing four countries: Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and the United States. The band was born out of a mutual love for traditional South American music, and a now legendary jam session. Their music is a reflection of the times covering social justice issues, such as immigration and women’s rights. This episode was recorded using COVID safe practices at Studio 519 in Albuquerque, NM. It also features two, live studio performances from the band. Links to l...
Latino Decisions 2020
November 24, 2020 23:00 - 35 minutes - 24.4 MBIn perfect 2020 fashion, this year’s presidential election has been filled with conspiracy theories, allegations of voter fraud, and unprecedented voter counts and recounts in battleground states. As we near the deadline for states to certify their results, one thing is clear: voter engagement during this election cycle--pandemic and all--was at an all time high. As the saying goes, victory has many mothers and fathers. There has been no shortage of groups that feel confident that they put...
The Worldwide Appeal of Lowrider Culture
October 19, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBHistorians trace Lowrider culture back to the early 30’s and 40’s as an extension of pachuco culture. If you’re unfamiliar with pachuco culture, check out Edward James Olmos in Zoot Suit. Yes, he was in other movies beyond Stand and Deliver! Some historians trace its origins to the El Paso/Juarez region, while others say it originated in the barrios of East LA. We’ll leave that debate to the Tejanos and the East Los crowd. Post World War II, many ex-military men from the southwest migrat...
Achieving Equity in the Workplace
September 24, 2020 17:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBOnly 1% of Fortune 500 companies have a Black CEO. Aside from the huge racial gaps in leadership positions, even getting a job for people of color can be a huge challenge. For example, studies have found that when Native Americans are similar to whites in terms of factors such as age, sex, education level, marital status, and state of residence, their odds of being employed are 31 percent lower than those of whites. Dr. Frank recently had the opportunity to speak with Kara Bobroff, Founder ...
#MaskUp: Are Masks Effective in Mitigating the Spread of COVID-19?
August 26, 2020 02:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBMedical mask wearing has a long history that can be traced back as far as the 17th century. During the Flu Pandemic of 1918, cities around the world passed mandatory mask-wearing orders to help prevent spread and protect doctors and nurses from contagious patients. Historians suggest that Americans widely embraced mask wearing as an “emblem of public spiritedness and discipline.” Even our pop culture icons like Batman and the Lone Ranger were celebrated mask wearers…..OK, that’s a bit of a s...
Decolonizing Wealth with Edgar Villanueva
July 27, 2020 17:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MBIt’s the inconvenient truth. Wealth in the United States has been accumulated through the ownership and exploitation of Black and Indigenous bodies and the outright theft of land. We are in the midst of a national reckoning with this past. A past that has celebrated oppressors by highlighting nobility, honor, and perseverance in statuesque form, while minimizing and even ignoring the unspeakable acts of violence committed at the hands of these “celebrated” individuals. Edgar Villanueva, aut...
Breaking Down Walls with Dana Cortez
July 09, 2020 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBDisruption is the name of the game. When it comes to media, people of color represent a very small proportion of people in all facets of the industry from radio/TV personalities to people behind the camera. Dana Cortez, host of the nationally syndicated Dana Cortez Show is a trailblazer when it comes to disrupting the radio industry. She is one of the only Latina, syndicated radio hosts in a male dominated industry. Born in Big Spring, Texas, Dana was destined for a career in radio. Her “N...
The Fight for Economic Justice
June 25, 2020 15:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBAccording to the Urban Institute, the median wealth for a White family is $171,000. For a Black family, it’s $17,000. That’s a ten-fold difference in median wealth. As we know, home ownership is a key driver to building wealth. It’s part of the American dream. Recent data suggests that White families are almost 25% more likely to own a home than Black and Hispanic families. Economic Inequality is a really broad topic with a number historical factors, including colonization, slavery, redlin...
I'm Fed Up! Black Lives Matter, Silent Protests, and the Work Ahead for Racial Justice
June 08, 2020 15:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBSome would say that the last two weeks have awakened the masses to the injustices Black Americans have been facing for centuries. The peaceful protests combined with the anger, rage, and frustration of the Black community is sparking a civil and human rights revolution unlike anything we have seen in recent decades. While the Black Lives Matter movement has grown internationally, decisions on policing, prosecution, and sentencing happen at the local level. Communities have the power to shap...
Always in My Head: Our Family's Story of Living with Borderline Personality Disorder
May 26, 2020 15:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBIn recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are releasing the most deeply personal episode of Portraits in Color yet. This episode is a candid conversation between a father and daughter about how mental illness impacts an entire family. Analisse, daughter of Portraits in Color host Dr. Frank Mirabal opens up about her every day challenges living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In her bravery, she decided that nothing was off limits. She openly discusses the deep scars ...
The Story of Elias: How a Community is Tackling Opioid Addiction and Treatment
May 13, 2020 15:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBElias was a joker and a prankster. He loved getting a "rise" out of people by playing practical jokes. He had an intellectual curiosity that could be both a blessing and a curse. Like most kids, if he wasn’t being challenged in school, he could easily turn the classroom into his personal performance space. He definitely knew how to command a room. However, things dramatically changed for Elias the very first time he tried opioids. “He referred to the sensation he felt as ‘the affinity affec...
The Many Faces of CloudFace
April 27, 2020 16:00 - 24 minutes - 16.7 MBWe live in an age where artists are becoming adept at using all of the tools at their disposal to express themselves. Cloudface is no different. In fact, Cloudface has also been able to integrate B-Boy, Hip Hop, and dance culture with his native roots to create an interesting amalgam of visual, sonic, and rhythmic art. Coming from a family of artists and jewelers, Patrick Burnham aka Cloudface was delivered to us as an artist. To him, art is just as essential as air and water. It lives with...
All Chola with Michelle Sena
April 13, 2020 15:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBAll Chola kind of happened by accident. “I would have conversations with my friends about chola sayings that we thought were funny, says Michelle Sena, founder of the All Chola lifestyle brand. “I never thought it would actually turn into a business.” All Chola embodies a strong Chicano/Chicana cultural aesthetic. From the low riders, the fashion, and the music, Michelle Sena introduces the long legacy of the culture, which is rooted in the Pachuco culture of the 40’s and 50’s, through her ...
A Conversation About Healing During Social Distancing With Nanci Luna Jiménez
March 30, 2020 15:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBThe rise of a global pandemic naturally elevates feelings of fear and anxiety. With the spread of coronavirus rising and death tolls across the globe multiplying, it is natural to feel a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty. These are unprecedented times for us. Ironically, it is also it perfect time for healing and transformation. So, how do you approach healing and transformation in times of trauma and isolation? Nanci Luna Jiménez joins the show to offer insights on healing and self-car...
Up in Smoke? The Story Behind Recreational Marijuana Legalization in New Mexico with Rep. Javier Martinez
March 09, 2020 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBA bill to legalize recreational marijuana was tabled in the Judiciary Committee during the 2020 New Mexico legislative session. The year-long lead up to the bill created a comprehensive 187 report that laid out economic forecasts and a regulatory framework to enforce intoxicated driving, work place use, and restricted access to youth. Over two thirds of New Mexicans approved of the measure. The bill was a legislative priority of Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham and had strong bipartisan suppo...
Never Really Said: Ryan Montaño
February 17, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 43.7 MBRyan Montaño recalls learning a valuable lesson from reading legendary producer David Foster’s memoir. The lesson? Compromise breeds mediocrity. It was a lesson that guided his songwriting and production in the early days of his solo career. Admittedly, Ryan says this dictum no longer fully applies and that it actually made him averse to collaboration early on. It also made him second guess himself often when thinking about musical approach, stylings, and overall production of his music. No...
One More Silver Dollar: Marc Quiñones
February 02, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBAt age 9, Marc Quiñones was introduced by a family friend to salsa legend Tito Puente. Along with long-time collaborator Bobby Allende, Marc was seen as somewhat of a child prodigy in New York salsa circles. Quiñones comes from an impressive lineage of musicians, including father Tony, late uncle Rafael, and younger brother Camilo. The musical roots run deep. Quiñones and Allende would go on to play several high-profile dates with Puente, including Carnegie Hall before they were even old eno...
Próspero: Creating Opportunities for BYMOC
January 21, 2020 00:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBWhat are the possibilities when community-based organizations have the space to be creative and innovative with funding? In this episode of Portraits in Color, you will hear about an interesting collaboration between city government, philanthropy, and nonprofits that create economic opportunities for boys and young men of color (BYMOC). Próspero represents a unique approach to grant making. Instead of releasing a highly-prescriptive request for proposals (RFP), the Albuquerque Community Fou...
The Power of Mentorship: Mentor Me
December 18, 2019 15:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBMentor Me is a powerful collaborative of grantees, funded by the Albuquerque Community Foundation that pairs young men of color with adult mentors to build healthy relationships, learn valuable leadership skills, and become leaders in their communities. Its origins are rooted in a national movement, spearheaded by President Obama, in response to the tragic murder of Travon Martin. This episode features adult mentors and youth leaders from the Native American Community Academy/NACA Inspire...
Mass Incarceration in America: Isaac Bryan
December 01, 2019 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBSince the Reagan-era 'War on Drugs,' which expanded Nixon-era policies, our nation has seen a dramatic increase in the prison population. Despite increasing evidence that large-scale incarceration is not an effective means of achieving public safety, our nation continues to "cage" men and women of color at disproportionate rates. The problem has now extended to the inhumane detainment of immigrants and refugees in and around the border. Episode 16 examines the issue of mass incarceration w...
Being Image: Andrew Garrison
November 19, 2019 14:00 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBWe live in a world where we constantly seek affirmation, whether in the form of "likes" on social media, or through our relationships. Andrew Garrison, author of the award winning book, Being Image stopped by the studio to share simple exercises to claim your authentic being and remove the distractions in our lives to enter a more fulfilling sense of "being." Andrew Garrison is the President/CEO of BodyFacts Wellness Services. He delivers trainings to nonprofit organizations, government age...
The Head Indigenerd: Lee Francis IV
November 03, 2019 17:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBUpon completing a doctorate in education, Lee Francis IV was faced with a career decision--follow the path of his father, who was an academic, or create his own path. He chose the latter. A self-proclaimed "Indigenerd," Lee tells the stories of Native American superheroes and indigenous icons through comic books. He is the founder of Native Realities, a publishing company that produces and distributes comics to children, youth, and adults. He also is the founder of Indigenous Comic Con (now ...
Developing Latino Leaders: Marco Davis
October 20, 2019 17:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBRepresentation matters. The recent emergence of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and presidential candidate Julián Castro demonstrate the power of intentional leadership development efforts. In this episode, Marco Davis, President/CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) shares his insights on leadership and how CHCI is building a pipeline of diverse racial, gender, geographic, and sector leadership to address the complex needs of the Latino community.
My Brother's Keeper: Michael Smith
October 07, 2019 11:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MBOne of the major catalysts behind the My Brother's Keeper Alliance (MBKA), an initiative of the Obama Foundation, is Michael Smith who serves as the Executive Director. In this episode, Michael shares his deeply personal experiences with racism as a youth in western Massachusetts and how some of these formative experiences fuel his social impact work. Michael also brings to light issues that disproportionately impact boys and young men of color and how MBKA is responding. In 2014, Pres...
Love Bless America: Isaac Aragon
September 23, 2019 11:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBIsaac Aragon's new single, Love Bless America delivers a unifying message of love and truth in these divisive times. His music hearkens back to a time when soul singers could showcase virtuosity and social message in the same breath. A time when artists were producing concept albums as messengers of social change, like Marvin Gaye's classic What's going on? In this episode, we discuss Isaac's plan for a full album, upcoming dates with the likes of Los Lobos and The Mavericks, and compare al...
United We Dream: Eli Cuna
September 09, 2019 11:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBHateful rhetoric is creating a dangerous climate for immigrants and refugees in America. Eli Cuna has experienced the harmful effects of this rhetoric first hand. That is why she fights for immigrant rights as National Field Director for the largest immigrant, youth-led network in the country. United We Dream is equal parts aspirational message, call to action, and social justice advocacy with a membership surpassing 400,000. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of immigration—from ...
Meow Wolf Mariachi: Carlos Medina
August 26, 2019 06:00 - 55 minutes - 37.9 MBCarlos Medina’s unique cultural voice has led to comparisons to legendary musical storytellers like Tom Waits. A unique, boundary spanning entertainer, Carlos captures the essence of northern New Mexican culture through traditional mariachi music and a brand of comedy that reflects the spirit of the Rio Grande and the El Camino Real. In this episode, we discuss his collaboration with Meow Wolf Entertainment and what it means for his brand. We also discuss his comedy work, which has led to ...
Congresswoman Deb Haaland
August 12, 2019 11:00 - 38 minutes - 26.1 MBJust a week removed from mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Representative Deb Haaland stopped by to discuss the dangerous rhetoric of President Trump and how it has fueled senseless violence in communities like El Paso--which is predominantly Latino and immigrant. She delivers sharp criticism of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's inaction on recent gun legislation, referring to the Senate as a "graveyard" for gun bills. She also shares her thoughts on the healthcare debate, the pli...
Psychadelic State: Jak Bailey
May 12, 2019 16:00 - 44 minutes - 20.5 MBIn this episode, we preview the new album Psychadelic State by Jak, discuss that time Rick James gave him a "noogie", and explore the 20 year history of the group Soul Divine. Jak Bailey is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist with major label album credits and shared stage experience with James Brown, Buddy Miles, Lakeside, and the Dazz Band.
The Latino Vote
April 14, 2019 23:00 - 45 minutes - 20.7 MBDr. Gabe Sanchez shares his insights on the Latino vote, immigration, and health care policy as a key driver to the 2020 presidential election. Dr. Sanchez is a Professor of Political Science at the University of New Mexico and also serves as the Executive Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center for Health Policy and Co-Director of the Institute of Policy, Evaluation and Applied Research (IPEAR) at the University of New Mexico. Sanchez was formerly the Director of Research, an...
Creative Placemaking: A conversation with Carlos Contreras
March 31, 2019 06:00 - 40 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this episode, we discuss creative placemaking, artists in government, and the gig economy. Carlos Contreras is a national champion poet, artist, and public servant. He currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Innovation in the Mayor's Office for the City of Albuquerque.
Duke City Diaries
March 17, 2019 06:00 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MBFrank Blazquez and John Acosta, creators of the docuseries Duke City Diaries, provide an unfiltered look at life on the streets of Albuquerque. In this episode, we delve deep into the stories of the 'hood and how these stories represent tragedy, truth, and redemption. Frank and John also provide useful insight for up-and-coming creators as they develop their passion for film and the arts.
Lorenzo Antonio
March 04, 2019 14:00 - 48 minutes - 22 MBFrom childhood star to his return back to Mexico, Lorenzo Antonio's musical journey spans over 30 years. In this episode, we discuss the rich musical legacy of his family, the current state of the music business, his collaboration with the late Juan Gabriel, and his recent return to Mexico.
Native Women Lead!
February 18, 2019 07:00 - 47 minutes - 21.6 MBCheck out Episode 2 of Portraits in Color with my very special guest Vanessa Roanhorse, President/CEO of Roanhorse Consulting and Co-Founder of Native Women Lead. We will be discussing her work with entrepreneurs in tribal communities, the challenge of accessing capital in communities of color, and the historic election of Native women to congress.
What the Heck is Tequity?
February 04, 2019 15:00 - 44 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this episode, Charles Ashley III talks candidly about the state of the tech industry from an African-American founder's perspective. We will also discuss government cheese, the Chicago Bears, mishaps with man-made "Slip n Slides" and what the term "fail forward" really means to entrepreneurs of color. Enjoy!
Portraits in Color Preview
February 03, 2019 07:00 - 4 minutes - 1.97 MBWelcome to the Portraits in Color Preview! In this short, less than 5 minute edition, I will describe why I chose to do the series, and give a sneak peak of the type of content I will be covering. Enjoy and help spread the word! -Dr. Frank