The Talkin Story podcast is a new project of Well Organized/Black Lives Matter of Jefferson County. It features local people of the global majority (PGM) who are quietly acting as flashpoints for social and cultural transformation within Port Townsend/East Jefferson county. These are the people who have been steadily working almost under the radar to craft a world in which they exist with sovereignty and creativity. They may or may not be in designated leadership roles, but their very existence is a source of inspiration and a touchstone within the PGM community primarily and the broader community as well.

The first season of this intergenerational podcast is co-hosted by Oceana Sawyer, Ezra Kikue Cook, and Lorenzo McCleese.

Oceana is an eldering person of African descent who moves in the liminal spaces of life & death, capture & liberation. They are a poet and a writer with a vision of community of local PGM that has the capacity to navigate the reality of liquid modernity.

Ezra is an ever changing force for change. As much as they talk, you'll never really understand them. His look is always changing and his list of passions is always expanding. Professionally he is known for working at Centrum for the last three years as both a grip and a videographer/broadcast technician. Ezra has years of experience in theater tech, acting, and media production. They are a writer and director with dreams of putting out original films on the big screen. They believe in the importance of advocacy and integrity- the fight for what is right at the small level. They are particularly involved in activism for Queer and Transgender support systems at the local level. Ezra is the eldest son of James Cook, born in Yokohama Japan, and Mirandy Cook, born in the United States. Working on this podcast has helped him to connect to his Japanese American heritage and BIPOC identity.

Lorenzo is a recent graduate from Port Townsend High School (PTHS) and a freshman at the University of Washington (UW). He has done work for the BIPOC Family Excursion Program, PTHS BIPOC Student Union, and most recently, been a host on the Talkin’ Story Podcast.

Being born & raised in Port Townsend, Lorenzo is eager to move out to Seattle and study Environmental Science. He hopes to continue engaging with his passion for equity and diversity in Seattle. Lorenzo is a member of the 7th cohort of UW’s Brotherhood Initiative; a program that provides opportunities for academic growth and leadership for underrepresented men of color.

Music is provided with permission by Ben Wilson and Camelia Jade. Logo design by Jade Evans of Indigo Sky Productions.

Talkin Story is a project of Well Organized and has enjoyed the support of the Port Townsend Arts Commission, Jefferson Community Foundation, Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Addieun Foundation, the Community Equity Initiative, and private in-kind and monetary d...

Excavating Whiteness

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