Jeneé Darden
Executive Producer/Host, Sights & SoundsJeneé Darden is an award-winning journalist, author, public speaker and proud Oakland native. She is the executive producer and host of the weekly arts segment Sights & Sounds as well as the series Sights + Sounds Magazine. Jeneé also covers East Oakland for KALW. Jeneé has reported for NPR, Marketplace, KQED, KPCC, The Los Angeles Times, Ebony magazine, Refinery29 and other outlets. In 2005, she reported on the London transit bombings for Time magazine. Prior to coming to KALW, she hosted the podcast Mental Health and Wellness Radio.
Her first book, When a Purple Rose Blooms (Nomadic Press), is a collection of essays and poetry about her personal journey through Black womanhood. Her work is also published in the books Previously on X-Men: The Making of an American Series and We've Been Too Patient: Voices from Radical Mental Health.
Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a master’s in journalism from the University of Southern California. When she’s off the clock, Jeneé enjoys dancing, performing her poetry, concerts, karaoke, traveling and watching superhero films. Follow her at www.jeneedarden.com.
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We're celebrating our one-year anniversary! We'll hear from the co-writers of the hit musical "Co-Founders" about their big show coming up soon in Oakland. Then, we'll revisit Host Jeneé Darden's interview with Tony Award-winning actor Francis Jue. And we'll look back at some our favorite and funny moments from the past year. -
CrosscurrentsLast year, KALW’s Jenee Darden launched a new show all about arts and culture around the Bay. Now, the Sights and Sounds Show is celebrating its first anniversary! I sat down with Jenee, to hear some highlights from their first year… and a look at what’s to come. -
On this week's episode of "Sights + Sounds Picks," actor Don Reed gives his arts and culture suggestions happening in the Bay Area. -
Author Soma Mei Sheng Frazier talks about her debut novel “Off The Books." It's about a young Oakland woman who works as an underground chauffeur. Then, Oakland author Carolina Ixta, takes us to Southern California in her new novel "Few Blue Skies." In it a high school student is fighting environmental injustice in her community, and falling in love with her classmate. -
On this week's episode of "Sights + Sounds Picks," author Carolina Ixta gives her arts and culture suggestions happening in the Bay Area. -
On today's show, a documentary about a man who laughed his way through colon cancer. Then, a film about a mother and son who are stand-up comedians. And author Meena Harris talks about her new children's book "Maya's Big Question" and advocating for Black women after her aunt Kamala Harris' 2024 run for the presidency. -
On this week's episode of "Sights + Sounds Picks," poet Paul S. Flores tell us about three female artists who are featured in Paseo Artístico. -
On today’s show, a book that analyzes the works of Toni Morrison. Then, Dave Eggers’ novel about an introspective dog has been adapted into a play. And a jazz vocalist who leads her Indigenous and Native American big band. -
Bay Area hip-hop icon Lyrics Born talks about his new song and upcoming concert. Then, we get an update on the fate of the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. And a young Oakland singer is gearing up for his first SFJazz Show. -
On this week's episode of "Sights + Sounds Picks," author Soma Mei Sheng Frazier gives her arts and culture suggestions happening in the Bay Area.
