Roots, Race & Culture

PBS Utah

Roots, Race & Culture invites viewers into bold and honest conversations on identity and culture, centered around the experiences of Black and POC communities in Utah. Hosts Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald are joined by newsmakers, change makers, experts, and entrepreneurs from Utah’s communities of color to discuss shared experiences with a healthy dose of humor, empathy, and candor.

  1. Is AI Changing How We See Ourselves? 

    Feb 26

    Is AI Changing How We See Ourselves? 

    You see it everywhere: in your search engine, in your apps, in your media. AI is integrating into all aspects of our daily lives. This technological revolution is happening much faster than some experts ever expected. As we approach this new frontier in human history, how does AI skew our view of the world? And how is it impacting our understanding of what it means to be human? To explore this topic, two experts who are studying and applying AI in their work and art weigh in. Gretchen Andrew is a fine artist and AI tech expert. In Facetune Portraits, Andrew explores how AI changes our perceptions of appearance by representing the differences between reality and beauty filters. The filters you see on your social media and in Zoom meetings may not be noticeable, but Andrew’s goal is to turn those changes into a series of marks and scars on a canvas. Avery Holton, Ph.D., is the Communications Department Chair at the University of Utah. The University has a large investment in responsible AI uses. For Holton, that means researching how people can integrate AI into their daily lives in helpful ways. His goal: make AI a little less scary and more fun to use, and to have a significant positive impact on people’s lives, wellbeing, and happiness. Join hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins to ask a chilling question: at what point does artificial intelligence surpass human intelligence? And how does AI impact how we see ourselves?

    57 min
  2. Utah’s Latino Life and Legacy

    Feb 19

    Utah’s Latino Life and Legacy

    We’re diving into the story of Latinos in Utah! From railroad laborers and miners in the early 1900s to thriving entrepreneurs, educators, artists and political leaders today, Latinos are rewriting Utah’s cultural and economic landscape. Explore the challenges and successes that define the Hispanic community in Utah. How does Latino culture shape Utah’s past, present, and future? Two Latino Utahns join hosts Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald to discuss Utah’s Latino life and legacy. As Director of the SLC Department of Economic Development, Lorena Riffo-Jensen works to ensure the local economy is supported and retention and expansion of local companies. She also works with educational departments to funnel students into jobs. Armando Solorzano, Ph.D. of Ethnic Studies at the University of Utah, wants to make sure the history of Mexican Americans in Utah is shared and remembered. In his book, “Recuerdo, Celebración, y Esperanza: Latinos in Utah goes into the history of Mexican Americans in Utah”, Solorzano writes: “Erasure is a form of violence. Recognition is it’s healing. Remembering is an act of justice.” Join Roots, Race & Culture in remembering, recognizing, and celebrating the history and future of Latinos in Utah.

    57 min
  3. Pacific Islanders in Utah

    Feb 12

    Pacific Islanders in Utah

    From early pioneers to today’s educators, entrepreneurs, athletic stars, and leaders, Pacific Islanders are an important part of Utah’s history and cultural landscape. For over a century, Utah’s Polynesian and Pacific Islander story begins with religious families coming to Utah to practice their religion. Now, many are drawn to Utah for its economic perks and strong sense of community and values. Two local leaders join hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins to talk about how perspectives from two different cultures, Tongan and Samoan, changes their outlook on life; as well as the myths and stereotypes that they overcome—including having their individual culture mistaken or combined with another distinct culture. Susi Feltch-Malohifo-ou, founder of PIK2AR, a nonprofit serving the Pacific Islander community in Utah, and Utah State Representative Verona Mauga to talk about how faith and community have historically impacted Utah’s Pacific Islanders.

    50 min
  4. How Closing the Black Wealth Gap Helps Everyone

    Feb 5

    How Closing the Black Wealth Gap Helps Everyone

    Black and POC communities have historically faced systemic barriers to growing wealth both individually and as a group, creating a gap of disparity in financial assets and equity between white and Black households. The idea of Black Wealth is more than just dollars in a bank account. It’s access to opportunity, ability to build legacy, and overall community elevation. For generations in the U.S., Black and POC communities have faced redlining, discriminatory lending, and barriers in education, employment, and corporate leadership systems that blocked that access to capital. Today, changes are happening in banking, in the workplace, in policy, and in communities to finally close that gap. Hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins are joined in the studio with two guests: Ashley D Bell and Sui Lang L Panoke. Bell is chairman of Redemption Bank, the first Black-owned bank west of the Mississippi, and part of the first Black-led investment group in the Western U.S. Panoke is founder of Rethink International, an organization designed to challenge people to rethink how and what they think. Join the discussion to see how we can work today to close the Black wealth gap.

    58 min
  5. Is Race a Choice?

    10/30/2025

    Is Race a Choice?

    Is someone's race the same everywhere you go? Surprisingly, no: every place has a unique take on race and culture. As the construct of race varies from country to country, where do these categories come from and why do they differ? Join Roots, Race & Culture to explore the different cultural customs that influence how people define themselves different places, with a special spotlight on the difference between the U.S. and Brazil. Both Americans and Brazilians agree that race is generally determined by your ancestry, as well as how you look. Most Americans believe that ancestry determines race, whereas Brazilians are more likely to say appearance or skin color determines race. For example, take two famous figures: President Barack Obama and Brazilian soccer star Neymar, both with similar skin color. Barack Obama self-identifies as black, whereas Neymar does not. Learn more about how self-identification can be impacted by community and culture with hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins, joined by two guests: Jackie Chen, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Utah, and Jomens Marques, a food and production engineer with first-hand experience of how ideas of race differ in Brazil and America.

    34 min
  6. Being Black Latter-day Saints

    10/23/2025

    Being Black Latter-day Saints

    On this episode of Roots, Race & Culture, meet LaShawn Williams, LCSW, and filmmaker Mauli Bonner, two Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins learn how the religion shapes their lives, their favorite memories, and their interpretation of historical doctrine in the Church. Filmmaker Mauli Bonner creates films about Black history in the Church of Jesus Christ, including his production “His Name is Green Flake,” which tells the story of a 19-year-old Black pioneer who led one of the largest pioneer migrations in America. Hear why representing Black people in religious history and art is iso important to him. LaShawn Williams, licensed clinical social work with 20 years of experience in higher education, gives poignant advice and support to any young Black member of the of Church. Williams discusses how she interprets scriptural doctrine, and the impact it has had on her experience in the faith. Not familiar with the history of the LDS Church? Here’s a quick overview: Originally, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830, Black members had equal standing to their white counterparts. However, after the death of Joseph Smith, that all changed as Brigham Young took leadership of the Church and helped establish Utah as a slave territory and placed major restrictions on Black church members. It wasn't until 1978 that the Church allowed Black members to once again have full participation within the faith. How does this history shape today’s members? Tune in to find out!

    28 min
  7. Refugee Experiences in Utah

    10/16/2025

    Refugee Experiences in Utah

    Utah has a history of refugees predating statehood itself, starting with the Mormon pioneers in the mid-1800s. Today, over 70,000 refugees call the Beehive State home. Learn some of the names, faces, and stories from our own backyard. Amandine Akimana, refugee advocate, and Madelaine Lamah, advocate and entrepreneur join Roots, Race & Culture hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins to discuss their lived experiences. In this episode, our panel defines the terms immigrant, refugee, and migrant, and discusses the founding of America by refugees. Learn some famous refugees in our history that might surprise you! Join the discussion to get a better understanding of your neighbors and friends.

    27 min
  8. Black Mental Health

    10/09/2025

    Black Mental Health

    Join Roots, Race & Culture to unpack cultural and societal barriers that contribute to mental health struggles and explore resources to help Utahns. Hosts Danor Gerald and Lonzo Liggins are joined by two experts in their fields: Niecie Jones, licensed marriage and family therapist, and Stormey Nielsen, LCSW. Both weigh in on how to understand, define, and improve mental health. Mental health can be a taboo topic among many Black families and people of color. However, mental health is a more important issue than ever, as data from the CDC shows suicide rates among Black youth have increased 54 percent since 2019 - surpassing white youth for the first time; and Black adults are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health problems compared to the general population. With these alarming statistics in mind, how can Utahns work to normalize and improve their mental health? Find out how to take care of your mental health and find the safe spaces that are right for you. If you are struggling with your mental health, please reach out to the following resources for help: Utah Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988 SafeUT: 833-372-3388

    27 min
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Trailer

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About

Roots, Race & Culture invites viewers into bold and honest conversations on identity and culture, centered around the experiences of Black and POC communities in Utah. Hosts Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald are joined by newsmakers, change makers, experts, and entrepreneurs from Utah’s communities of color to discuss shared experiences with a healthy dose of humor, empathy, and candor.

Information

  • Creator
    PBS Utah
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 PBS Utah
  • Show Website
    Roots, Race & Culture