Here’s a List of Small Businesses You Can Support During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Businesses across the country are being forced to shut down or limit their services due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While these measures are necessary to keep the community safe, we know they’re hurting a lot of individuals—especially small business owners. But just like we can do our part to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, […]

Baseball’s Skillful Street Version

“If you can hit a Vitilla, you can probably hit anything,” says player Elias Barcacel. Vitilla was invented by Dominican youth who could not afford the bat and ball needed to play traditional baseball, and instead used a stick and bottle cap. Today, the sport has expanded to the U.S., and helps develop skills in players that are sought after in professional leagues. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we meet some of the men that help keep vitilla alive today. Presented by Smartwater.

How To Get Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

Cities all across the United States are doing their best to flatten the curve and limit the spread of the coronavirus, but it hasn’t come without its consequences. Schools have closed and forced children to continue their studies at home and businesses have locked their doors and laid off multiple employees. In an effort to […]

The Afro-Brazilian Beats of Capoeira

Capoeira combines martial arts, dance, and acrobatics to tell the story of the enslaved Africans who were brought to Brazil. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we meet Jessica Carla De Lima, the brown belt Capoeirista who has dedicated the past 21-years of her life to practicing the ancient art form.

Skateboarding’s Native New Style

Meet Apache Skateboards—the native group that is reinventing skateboarding by infusing it with their Indigenous culture. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we learn about the Arizona-based team and the sense of brotherhood and individualism that they’ve found in this popular sport.  

The Dynamic Dance of Double Dutch

Double Dutch, a sport said to have been brought to America by Dutch settlers in New York City, has become synonymous with sisterhood, hip-hop culture, and the Black community. Laila Little, “The Queen of Double Dutch,” shows off her moves and tells us all about it in this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history. 

The Shape Shift: Roller Skating

For the African-American community, roller skating is more than just a weekend activity—it’s an entire culture. Its rinks act as a meeting place where music, community and even civil rights once came together. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we meet Quest Love, a professional roller skater who is both preserving the sport’s history, and taking it to a whole new level.

The Synchronized Sport of Escaramuza

Escaramuza is an all-female, rodeo-like sport from Mexico that combines beauty, history, and strength—and it’s being kept alive right here in the U.S. Meet Arizona-based team, Escaramuza Charra Rayenari in our first episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history. Presented by Smartwater. 

Hidden Figuras: Maria Tallchief—Osage Native And America’s First Prima Ballerina

As the country’s first prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief put American ballet on the map. She played an integral role in making the New York City Ballet world-renowned and even brought the Nutcracker from obscurity into the American zeitgeist. But in the years right before Tallchief was born, her entire family was nearly murdered when oil was discovered beneath the Osage reservation in Oklahoma.

BESE Explains: Who Is Holding Weed Back?

The majority of Americans support the legalization of cannabis, but the alcohol industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and law enforcement do not. In fact, they’ve spent a lot of money lobbying against it. Abdullah Saeed tells us why in this episode of BESE Explains.

Hidden Figuras: The Lone Latinx Voice Of Journalist Ruben Salazar

Late journalist, Ruben Salazar, kicked open many doors throughout his short life. He was a voice for the Latinx community when there was none, he defied the odds in American mainstream media and clapped back at corruption, police brutality and racial discrimination. To this day, it is speculated his death was a targeted hit on behalf of the LAPD rather than an accidental tragedy.

Lead image courtesy of Ruben Salazar papers, USC libraries

Folkslore: The Curse of the Jinn

In this episode of Folkslore, one woman recalls a time when doing one simple task at night gave her owl-filled nightmares. According to a Yemeni legend, the culprit was the Jinn—shape-shifting spirits made of fire and air. If you have a Folkslore story, share it with us! Call 1-833-GOT-LORE or send us a message at stories@bese.com. 

BESE Explains: Why Are People Still in Jail For Weed?

People of color are about four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than whites—despite the fact that it’s used by different races at similar levels. But the majority of U.S. states have legalized the plant in some way, so why are people—particularly people of color—still getting arrested and jailed for cannabis? Abdullah Saeed breaks it all down in this episode of BESE Explains.

Sea of Change: Las Fotos Project

Eric Ibarra saw there was a lack of creative spaces for young women of color in East Los Angeles—so he founded Las Fotos Project, a photography mentorship program that gives young women who are aspiring photographers, the tools they need to reach their goals. Watch the latest episode of Sea of Change for more.

Sea of Change: Familia TQLM

Angela was forced to leave Guatemala to escape death and persecution when she was just 15 years old. When she finally arrived to the United States, she was sent to a detention center where, as a trans woman, she faced even more hardships. But her story is not uncommon. Undocumented trans-Latinx women are often left out of the mainstream immigration narrative, despite their difficult— and sometimes fatal—experiences. Familia TQLM is doing everything it can to change that and more. Check out our latest episode of Sea of Change to learn more about Familia’s work.

Hidden Figuras: Richard Oakes

Richard Oakes is one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. He bolstered the Red Power Movement, successfully occupied U.S. territory without using violence, and united Native Americans of all tribes. Yet most of us have never heard of him.