Hidden Figuras: How Luchita Hurtado Went From Painting in the Shadows to TIME’s 100 List

For years the work of Luchita Hurtado, one of the world’s most esteemed painters, went unrecognized. But now, as she nears 100 years of age, Luchita has received international recognition for her art. She was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, has received a lifetime achievement award, and she’s landed a career retrospective at the Serpentine Gallery in London. How did she do it? With the help of a group of women who refused to let their passions and talents take a back seat to marriage and motherhood, and instead, came together to lift each other up. Watch the latest episode of Hidden Figuras to find out more. 

Lead Image: © Luchita Hurtado Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

Food 4 Thought: The Perego Boys Shake with Zoe Saldana

Looking for a quick, easy recipe for the little ones? Zoe Saldana has just the nutritious fix for you. Check it out in our yummy new pop up series, Food 4 Thought, where we’re shaking it up in the BESE kitchen and serving not just food, but also facts.

Being Undocumented In The Time of Corona

Mia* and her sister had planned to attend an endometriosis rally in Texas to see if they could get help for their undocumented mother, whose legal status makes it difficult for her to afford her medications. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the rally was canceled, Mia and her family were left with unanswered […]

How to Donate Medical Supplies to Local Hospitals

Hospitals all around the world, and in the U.S. are doing their best to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. But due to the quick and wide spread of the virus, and the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 masks, gloves, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, and respiratory suits, health care professionals are having […]

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.