Episode 6: Community Activism, Social Justice and Comfrey Medicine with Cassandra Harris Lockwood
In this episode I am joined by Utica, NY community activist Cassandra Harris Lockwood. Cassandra is an herbalist, a mother, a homeopath, an equestrian, an artist, and a musician. Her work in the community has generated several regional projects that support the underserved, the marginalized, the poor, and the Black community.
She is the first woman to build her own radio station from the ground up in New York State. This station is Phoenix Radio or 95.5 fm and for which i have been a guest on her show the hot seat. Also originating from the Phoenix media outlet is the Utica Phoenix a Mohawk Valley independent newspaper. She is the founder of the non-profit organization For The Good Inc. For The Good provides low-income residents and their neighborhoods with programs to overcome poverty through their own means. One of these projects is the community gardens; one on Linwood Place and the other on Jay St., both in Utica, NY.
In its first year FTG organized intervention and neutralization of violence in African-American girl gangs and provided numerous alternative activities to violence. Development of the Study Buddy Club, in conjunction with Hamilton College, was in direct response to gang activity. Over the years the Study Buddy Club has demonstrated impressive academic improvement and social development for multi-cultural, at-risk, inner city youths and it continues on today.
Notes and Links:
Phoenix Radio: 95.5fm The Heat
The Utica Phoenix Independent Newspaper
Jane Elliot: Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Anti-Racist Exercise
Utica’s Juneteenth Music Fest Recording
Music for this episode by: Auld Lang Syne