If you're not a fan of Mondays, hopefully, this week's playlist will get you in the right frame of mind.EventsM/other Conversations presented by South Sudanese MindsVisual StorytellingWest Africa Drumming and Dance Award FestivalMusicKwame – WOW Tkay Maidza – Ring-a-Ling P-UniQue & Krown –  Change Little Simz – might bang, might not Erykah Badu – Phone DownCherrie – Less

Maya Angelou's poem Phenomenal Woman opened my eyes to the power of poetry, and I've been hooked ever since.This week, you'll hear poetry from Tony Birch, Jennifer Wong and Sisonke Msimang - artists whose work has appeared in the 30 in 30 series, commissioned by Red Room Poetry. Morocco appeal for El Haouz region organised by Scheherazade Bloul.MusicOlivia Dean - DiveAyra Starr - RushNooky - Always Was Always Will BeTierra Whack - WazeOetha - Sista Girl

Black Men Don’t Cry, or so we’re made to believe.Today on Diaspora Blues, we’re listening to black men pen words of sadness, regret, triumph, and love. We’re capturing them in all their multiplicity.For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners looking for culturally appropriate services, give 13YARN a ring on 13 92 76.ReadingsAdam Goodes: 'Instead of masking racism, we need to deal with it day-to-day.Read We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity by bell hooks here.One election later, the lessons from Melbourne’s ‘African gang’ panic.bell hooks and Kevin Powell: Black Masculinity, Threat or Threatened I The New School.MusicKobie Dee - JodyKodak Black - ConscienceThe Notorious B.I.G. - Suicidal Thoughts Juice WRLD - Lucid Dreams2Pac - So Many TearsDMX – Slippin'ONEFOUR - Welcome To Prison

What is Indie rock?Masterclass: Indie rock refers to the rock ‘n' roll music that independent record labels release.The Conversation: Indie as a defined musical genre descriptor emerged from post-punk, new wave and “alternative” music released on late-1970s UK independent labels.Diaspora Blues: rock music with a soft sound.The answer is somewhere between.MusicArlo Parks - WeightlessThelma Plum – Don't Let a Good Girl Down Bakar - Hell N BackLightspeed Champion - He's The Great ImposterOdette feat Gretta Ray - A Place That I Don't KnowRay BLK - Empress Genesis Owusu - Get InspiredCold Specks - Blank MapsTommy WÁ feat The Isomers - Gravity

Run Like a Girl Australia head running coach Dani Bryan joins us to discuss the joys of running, social inclusion, and taking it one step at a time.I chat about Matilda's win and why they're more than an afterthought.Hip Hop turned 50! Musict r a n s p a r e n t s o u l - WILLOW  feat Travis BarkerLove Like Water - Leah Flanagan Charlene - Anthony HamiltonLeave It All Behind - BumpyReady or Not - Fugees

Storyteller, life coach and author Mariam Issa joins us to dicuss her journey so far.Mariam is the co-founder of Resilient Aspiring Women (R.A.W) and an eco-feminist. She is driven and community oriented and an inspiration for women who dream big.The full interview will be available August 15th on Women on the Line.MusicJorja Smith - Be Honest (feat. Burna Boy)PRICIE - too dang goodFrank Ocean - IvyHeather Headley - In My Mind Thelma Plum - Body Do the TalkingGiveon - Stuck On You

A playlist to start your week right.MusicGil Scott-Heron - Whitey on the MoonReyna Biddy - RECOVERErykah Badu - On & On PJ - Drunk AFEmily Wurramara - Yaka YelyukwaAnn Peebles - I can't stand the RainMaya Angelou - Still I RiseAretha Franklin - Young, Gifted And Black Lauryn Hill – Interlude 4Laura Mvula - She SoulMed Holistic Health Collaborative and Brandi Williams - Good Morning Gorgeous

Sol Fernandez and Maru Nitor-Zammataro discuss I Am All of Us and the community that inspired the project.I Am All of Us is part of New Ground 2023, a program supporting early-mid career creatives who live, work or practice in the South East. New Ground 2023 is presented by Bunjil Place. MusicJalmar - EN VIVO Ziggy Ramo ft. Alice Skye - Sugar Coated LiesForest Claudette - Hologram Lizzo - Special (feat. SZA) Mahalia - Terms and Conditions

Our exciting guest this week is Filipino-Australian actor John Marc Desengano. John Marc is a theatre-maker and educator based in Melbourne’s western suburbs.He joins us to discuss Edge Ensembles, a youth theatre program based in the West, gatekeeping, and the secret to engaging young people. He also shares advice for creatives of colour navigating Australia's entertainment industry.John Marc Desengano is the Co-Artistic Director of Western Edge.MusicQ-Tip - Breathe And StopTeyana Taylor feat Kanye West - Hurry Miss Kaninna - Blak BritneyBusta Rymes featuring Mariah Carey & The Flipmode Squad - I Know What You Want

This week we look atthe end of Affirmative Action and why everyone should be worried things happening around Melbourne - paid and freeand play music from here and internationally!ReadingsAffirmative action bans make selective colleges less diverse – a national ban will do the sameIn biggest ruling since abortion, US Supreme Court guts affirmative action at universitiesHarvard’s Affirmative Action for Rich Whites Exposes Myth of MeritocracyWhat's happening in Melbourne?Sudan Archives 10 years too bloody long: permanent visas for all nowRESONANCEMusicGorilla - Lil SimzCome Meh Way - Sudan Archives Golden - Jill ScottDisgusted - Wé Ani feat Song HouseSittin' On Top Of The World - Burna BoyChanges - Jem Cassar Daley