Destination Freedom Black Radio Days
by No Credits Productions, LLC
Destination Freedom Black Radio Days presents highy produced orginal Audio Dramas and interviews with people who get stuff done. Produced and directed by award winner filmaker and radio host donnie l. betts. Co produced by audio wiz Maurice (aka Reese) Smith. Featured guests, Lynn Nottage, Sharon Washington, Charles Wright, Allison Semmes, Idris Goodwin, Marla and Angela Gibbs to name a few. Audio Dramas, A letter from Heaven to America from Emmett Till, The Voice of The Spirit is Clear Destination Freedom (now branded Destination Freedom Black Radio Days, this program illuminates a largely unknown, but important chapter in the history of human rights and tells how radio played its part from the very beginning. That boundary-breaking program, Destination Freedom, dramatized the lives of great figures in African-American and other people of color past and present, continues in its spirit with all-new scripts. This series honors and expands on that theme of the orgin
Episodes
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Marvin Booker Letter from a Denver Jail talk back 5/19/2026
Our panel discussion after the audio Drama Marvin Booker Letter from a Denver Jail This Audio drama is the second in our series on the unhoused and will feature the talents of donnie l. betts, Latifah Johnson and John Furtell aka Panama Soweto as Marvin Booker. Our after-show panel will be the…
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Marvin Booker Letter from A Denver Jail by Terrance Hughes directed by donnie l. betts
This Audio drama is the second in our series on the unhoused and will feature the talents of donnie l. betts, Latifah Johnson, and John Furtell aka Panama Soweto, as Marvin Booker. Our after-show panel is available in part 2 will be the Hon. Elias Diggins Denver, Sheriff, Reginald C. Holmes,...
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Conversation With NEA Jazz Master Carmen Lundy and donnie l. betts
Carmen Latretta Lundy is an American jazz singer, composer, arranger, and visual artist whose career spans over five decades. People will describe Carmen Lundy as just this American jazz singer, composer, and visual artist. But I just called her an artist because her career spanned so many, so…
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Intersectionality written by Kenya Fashaw and directed by donnie l. betts
Audio Drama- Intersectionality It is a gripping play set in a jail cell with five women. They are forced to confront their biases, identities, and shared humanity. It is the first in a series on the unhoused and how the public views and treats them. This audio drama will feature the talents of...
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Conversation two with author Richard Huntley a survivor of Dozier School for Boys
This episode is part two of my conversation with author Richard Huntley, the author of Dark Days of Horror at Dozier Rapes, Murders, Beatings, and Slavery. I survived Dozer, the Deadliest Reform School in America. You may have heard of Nickel Boys, the book and film. Well, this story is about one...
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A conversation with author Richard Huntly
This episode is part one of my conversation with author Richard Huntley, the author of Dark Days of Horror at Dozier Rapes, Murders, Beatings, and Slavery. I survived Dozer, the Deadliest Reform School in America. You may have heard of Nickel Boys, the book and film. Well, this story is about one...
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Interview with Devon Goffman star Some Like Hot Tour
On this episode of Destination Freedom: Black Radio Days – The Eclectic, we go behind the curtain with Devon Goffman — a seasoned Broadway stage veteran whose résumé reads like a greatest hits of musical theater. His voice and presence have lit up theaters from Jersey Boys to Motown the Musical,...
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S3 EP24 Seven Coffins
Seven Coffins is a drama of abuse, trafficking, and also awareness. Told via poetry and dialogue. Listen in. Written by Confidence Zora Simone Omenai. Produced and directed by donnie l. betts for No Credits Productions, LLC..
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S3 Ep23 Round Solstice
Playwright Nadiya Jackson of Round Solstice says, "The play was inspired by a compilation of poems I wrote referencing the relationship humans have with nature. Over time it became an experimental play adaptation of those poems where I explored the potential consequences of climate change in a…
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S3 Ep22 The Voice of The Spirit is Clear
Trigger warning: This powerful drama has scenes of sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Living on the streets Lashawn Hughes a young girl dim of sight and hard of hearing, she is homeless, and hopeless. Then that quiet voice her soul became stronger, louder, leading her spirit true and...
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S3 Ep21 The Eclectic - Conversation with the Charles Wright
Join us for our conversation with Charles Wright. Mr. Express Yourself himself. Charles Williams Wright (born April 6, 1940) is an American singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. He has been a member of various doo wop groups in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well as a solo artist in his own...
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S3 Ep20 The Eclectic - Conversation with Attorney General of Minnesota Keith Ellison
Join me for my conversation with AG Keith Ellison. We hear his thoughts on what can be done the break the wheel of use of force by police against our communities. With this powerful and intimate trial diary, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison asks the key question: How do we break the wheel...
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S3 Ep19 The Eclectic - Conversation with author Patti Hartigan of A Life August Wilson
Our guest is author and award-winning journalist Patti Hartigan. Her recent book August Wilson A Life is receiving praise from literary circles, theatre circles, and academic circles alike. I am joined in conversation with Patti next on Destination Freedom Black Radio Days - The Eclectic. August...
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S3 EP18 Year in Review 2023
Destination Freedom Black Radio Days Year in Review 2023. Interviews with David Byrne, Lynn Nottage, and others, plus audio dramas. Enjoy.
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S3 Ep17 The Eclectic - Conversation with artist Allison Semmes - singer, actor, writer
Our guest is artist Allison Semmes. One of Allison's latest achievements is that she is part of the Barry Manilow/Bruce Sussman musical Harmony. She portrays the artist and activist icon Josephine Baker. Allison Semmes is a multi-genre singer/songwriter and Broadway actress. She studied vocal...
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S3 EP16 The Eclectic - Conversation with artist Sheryl McCallum - singer, actor, writer
Join us for our conversation with artist Sheryl McCallum. McCallum is a graduate of Denver South High School who found lasting success on Broadway playing several roles in Disney’s The Lion King. Connection is also a recurring theme in how McCallum and David Nehls came to make “Miss Rhythm,”…
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S3 EP 15 The Eclectic - Rutha Mae Harris, activist and a member of the original Freedom Singers
In the summer of 1961, Rutha Mae Harris was home visiting her family after her first year at Florida A&M University. Protests had been erupting in Albany, her hometown, and Harris had to face a question that many young people involved in the struggle asked themselves – would she go back to school...
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S3 EP14 The Eclectic - Report from the trial of Elijah McClain by donnie l. betts
Producer/Director donnie l. betts first hand report on the trial of Elijah McClain. The officers now on trial — Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt — are charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent reckless homicide and assault, all felonies. They pleaded not guilty. Roedema, a former Marine…
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S3 EP13 - The Difference
Live from the studios of KGNU in Boulder, Colorado, Destination Freedom Black Radio Days comes to you with The Difference by Peter Trinh. The Difference is a candid dive into racial dynamics and the chasm that grows between the perceived and global majority. Peering into the veiled…
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S3 EP12 The Eclectic - Lynn Nottage, two time Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama, interviewed by donnie l. betts
Our guest is Lynn Nottage. Ms. Nottage has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for her play Ruined, and in 2017 for her play Sweat. She is the first and the only woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama two times. Nottage is the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship...
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S3 EP11 The Eclectic - Conversation about Juneteenth with retired Judge Vallera Johnson, marketing rep Danielle Brooks, plus host donnie l. betts, all born on June 19th
June 19th is host donnie l. betts birthday. Born and raised in east Texas he reached out to others that were born on this day and are not from Texas and asked their thoughts on this day - retired Judge Vallera Johnson and marketing rep Danielle Brooks. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the…
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S3 EP10 The Eclectic - Conversation with multi-hyphenated artist Sharon Washington
Join me producer donnie l. betts for my conversation with SHARON WASHINGTON (Co-Book Writer) "New York New York" Tony nominee. A proud Native New Yorker with her family living in Manhattan since 1835, Sharon is celebrating over 30 years as an actor. She is thrilled to continue her collaboration...
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S3 EP9 Grave Diggers Handicap, The Story of Isaac Murphy
Folks may be familiar with the fine clothes, big hats, and of course the fast horses. But did you know the first 10 winners of the Derby were Black? The first 3 time winner was Issac Murphy. Many consider Murphy the greatest American jockey of all time. By his own account, Murphy won 44% of his...
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S3 EP8 The Eclectic - Conversation with Marla and Angela Gibbs
Marla Gibbs (born Margaret Theresa Bradley; June 14, 1931) is an American actress, singer, comedian, activist, writer, and television producer whose career spans seven decades. Gibbs is known for her role as George Jefferson's maid, Florence Johnston, in the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons (1975–1985),...
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S3 EP7 I AM, an audio drama written by Kenya Fashaw, produced and directed by donnie l. betts, co-produced, edited, and mixed by Maurice Smith
“I Am” was written by Kenya Fashaw and directed by donnie l. betts. Mimi and Jabari are in love however will Mimi's insane jealousy spoil the young lovers' quest for a beautiful life together? Mimi might need a little help from an unexpected source. Let’s find out in this episode of Destination...
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S3 EP6 Cages, an audio drama written by Kenya Fashaw, directed by donnie l. betts, co-produced, edited and mixed by Maurice Smith
After a global race war the year is 2071. We find a world full of life chips, skin sealers and the beige nation. The world has tried to eliminate all the dark people. There are no traces of dark skinned people, or are there? Cages is an audio drama written by Kenya Fashaw and directed by donnie…
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S3 EP5 The Eclectic - Interview with Co-Creator of Theatre of The Mind and musical great, David Byrne
I’m donnie l. betts. "Now I've been very lucky in my life to meet some of my artistic and scholarly heroes. People like August Wilson, Sonia Sanchez, Grace Lee Boggs, and Oscar Brown Junior. Next on the Eclectic, I sit in conversation with another one of my creative idols. He is the co-creator of...
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S3 EP4 The Eclectic - Interview with Director of Theatre of The Mind, Andrew J. Scoville
We are joined by Andrew J. Scoville, a NYC-based, Chicago-born theater director and creator of original work. He specializes in immersive layouts, technological landscapes, and hybrid-genre theater-making with an emphasis on integrating science ideas into theatrical experiences. Current projects:...
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S3 Ep3 The Eclectic- Conversation with Producer of Theatre of The Mind, Charlie Miller
On this episode of The Eclectic, I'm joined by Charlie Miller, the Executive Director & Curator of Off-Center and part of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Executive Team. Off-Center was originally conceived by Miller and former DCPA Theatre Company Artistic Producer Emily Tarquin, who is...
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S3 Ep 2 The Tale of Stackalee: The Live Concert
As a follow up to S3 Ep1, this episode features a concert by Lionel Young, Roy Hightower, and Otis Taylor recorded live directly following the audio drama The Tale of Stackalee. Lionel Young Mr. Young has won numerous awards including The Young Artist Award (Pittsburgh Symphony); The Concerto...
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S3 Ep 1 The Tale of Stackalee
As a man, the lowlife pimp and murderer Lee Shelton has all but sunk into obscurity. However, as raised up by more than a century of popular culture, the righteous killer Stagger Lee has become an icon to generations, who see in the folk character defiance of authority, pride of self, and…
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S2 Ep 22 The Ballad of Satchel Paige
This is donnie betts producer-director of Destination Freedom Black Radio Days. From time to time we like to share one of our shows from our archives. Here is a special one. This episode features Lionel Young, winner of the 2008 and 2011 International Blues Challenge, plus numerous classical and...
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S2 Ep21 Stono: An Audio Ritual
This is donnie l. betts, producer-director of Destination Freedom Black Radio Days. Three years ago I reached out to writer composer T. Carlis Roberts to create a piece for the series Destination Freedom Black Radio Days. T said they had a piece that had been living with them for some time.…
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S2 EP20 Of Blood and The Boogie: The Story of Albert Ammons featuring Oscar Brown Jr.
Albert Ammons was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were pianists, and he had learned to play by the age of ten. His interest in boogie-woogie is attributed to his close friendship with Meade Lux Lewis and also his father's interest in the style. Both Albert and Meade would practice together...
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S2 EP19 A Conversation with the writers of Give Me Liberty: A Freeman's Story, John and Sydney Futrell
This episode features a conversation with the writers of the three part series Give Me Liberty: A Freeman Story, John and Sydney Futrell. The piece was inspired by real events, as described in genealogy documents preserved by John's mother. As the story goes, John's great, great, great, great...
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S2 EP18 The Eclectic - Interview with Colorado 2021 Teacher of The Year Gerardo Munzo
Gerardo Muñoz, 2021 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Gerardo A. Muñoz of Denver, Colorado, is a high school and middle school social studies teacher at the Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS) at Baker in the Denver Public Schools (DPS) district. He has taught every grade from 6-12 and...
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S2 EP 17 The Gravediggers Handicap: The Story of Issac Murphy
The Kentucky Derby is held on the first Saturday of May every year. Folks may be familiar with the fine clothes, big hats, and of course the fast horses. But did you know the first 10 winners of the Derby were Black? The first 3 time winner was Issac Murphy. Many consider Murphy the greatest...
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S2 EP16 The Eclectic - Interview with Entrepreneur Jice Johnson
Jice Johnson is the Founder and CVO of the Black Business Initiative and Principle in the New Community Transformation Fund - Denver. Jice is a U.S Army Veteran, a mother of three, and an astute businesswoman based in Denver, Colorado. We discuss Black Financial Power and investment. Jice has...
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S2 EP15 Give Me Liberty: A Freeman's Story part 3
Give Me Liberty: A Free Man's Story, part 3 of 3, is the second chapter of the audio drama of historical fiction written by John and Sydney Futrell. The piece was inspired by real events, as described in genealogy documents preserved by John's mother. As the story goes, John's great, great…
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S2 EP14 Give Me Liberty: A Freeman's Story part 2
Give Me Liberty: A Free Man's Story, part 2 of 3, is the second chapter of the audio drama of historical fiction written by John and Sydney Futrell. The piece was inspired by real events, as described in genealogy documents preserved by John's mother. As the story goes, John's great, great…
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S2 Ep13 Give Me Liberty: A Freeman's Story part 1
Give Me Liberty: A Free Man's Story part 1 of 3 is the first chapter of the audio drama of historical fiction written by John and Sydney Futrell. The piece was inspired by real events, as described in genealogy documents preserved by John's mother. As the story goes, John's great, great, great,...
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S2 Ep12 The Eclectic - Interview with Idris Goodwin, a playwright, director, break beat poet and educator
Next on The Eclectic from Destination Freedom Black Radio Days is Idris Goodwin, a playwright, director, break beat poet and educator. He is the Director of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College and a 2021 United States Artist Fellow. Idris is a highly sought-after writer for...
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S2 Ep11 The Eclectic - Interview with The Honorable Judge Gary Jackson
Next on The Eclectic from Destination Freedom Black Radio Days is the Honorable Judge Gary Jackson. He is a Senior Judge in the Denver County Court. We discuss his 50-year legal career and as he describes it, being the only Black person in the room. The Eclectic is a companion podcast to...
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S2 Ep10 The Eclectic - Interview with Harold Fields
We asked Harold Field to join The Eclectic to speak about the Tulsa Race Riot and Black Wall Street. For years Harold has led conversations on Race with the Tuesday Race Group. He works for reparations for former enslaved Africans, and he advises on DEI issues for organizations. His list of...
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S2 Ep9 The Eclectic - Interview with Aisha Ahmad-Post
As a companion podcast to Destination Freedom Black Radio Days comes The Eclectic. Fresh for your ears: Aisha Ahmad-Post is the Executive Director of the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver. Previously, she was the inaugural Director of the Ent Center...
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S1 Ep17 Interview with Mayor Johnny B. Thomas of Glendora, Mississippi
This interview is a rebroadcast from 2020. The Department of Justice recently closed the case of Emmett Till who was brutally murdered 66 years ago in August 1955. This episode features a conversation with Mayor Johnny Thomas of Glendora, Mississippi about Emmett Till. The Black Bayou Bridge is…
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S2 Ep8 The Eclectic - Interview with Deborah Watts
As a companion podcast to Destination Freedom Black Radio Days comes The Eclectic. First Up: Emmett Till was murdered 65 years ago on August 28 1955 in Money, Mississippi. At only 14 years old, he was kidnapped, brutally tortured, lynched, and killed during a racially motivated hate crime that...
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S2 Ep7 A Letter From Heaven To America from Emmett Till
Recently the US Justice Department closed its investigation into the murder of Emmett Till and said that no new charges would be filed. This episode was produced in Season 1 as Episode 15. Due to this recent decision we are releasing the audio drama again. Two white men, Roy Bryant and his...
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S2 Ep6 James Step Back Williams, A Covid Tale
Destination Freedom Black Radio Days examines issues facing communities of color with James “Step Back” Williams. In the early days of Covid 19, some people suffered because of human error and or biases. This is the story of one patient journey who suffered from both. This original story, based…
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S2 Ep5 The Lesson and The Conk
The Lesson, written by Kenya Fashaw Racial biases spark a fuse when a 17 year old Black student starts his first day at a new High School named after a Ku Klux Klan grand wizard. The student finds himself in unsolicited trouble and is confronted by a Black male Principal. The Principal begins to...
About this show
Destination Freedom Black Radio Days presents highy produced orginal Audio Dramas and interviews with people who get stuff done. Produced and directed by award winner filmaker and radio host donnie l. betts. Co produced by audio wiz Maurice (aka Reese) Smith.
Featured guests, Lynn Nottage, Sharon Washington, Charles Wright, Allison Semmes, Idris Goodwin, Marla and Angela Gibbs to name a few.
Audio Dramas, A letter from Heaven to America from Emmett Till, The Voice of The Spirit is Clear
Destination Freedom (now branded Destination Freedom Black Radio Days, this program illuminates a largely unknown, but important chapter in the history of human rights and tells how radio played its part from the very beginning. That boundary-breaking program, Destination Freedom, dramatized the lives of great figures in African-American and other people of color past and present, continues in its spirit with all-new scripts. This series honors and expands on that theme of the orgin
Hosted by
No Credits Productions, LLC
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