This week on Forbes Avenue, we talked to Dr. Edda Fields-Black, a CMU history professor who just won a Pulitzer Prize for ⁠Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid,  and Black Freedom during the Civil War⁠! We talked about her prize-winning book, her other research, and writing untold stories. She also told us why a rice field is a historical document. A fascinating conversation!

Listen to the episode: Edda Fields-Black

Riona Duncan, host, audio editor, audio engineer, researcher
Recorded May 12, 2025; WRCT debut May 20, 2025

This week on Forbes Avenue, we aired an April 16 interview with Jaime Martinez, the Community Defense Organizer at Casa San José, an agency that supports Pittsburgh’s Latino community.

Martinez related some of the issues immigrants face when confronted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. He also summarized the advice he gives in Casa San José “Know Your Rights” sessions, detailed some of the confrontations of which he has firsthand knowledge, and explained the history of increased ICE enforcement over the last 10-15 years. He appealed to listeners to value the humanity in all of us — no matter where we each come from.

In the course of the conversation, Martinez mentioned several agencies or initiatives that can help with Immigration questions:

• Jewish Family And Community Services
• The Islamic Center Of Pittsburgh
• PA Immigrant Family Unity Project (PAIFUP)
• Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC)
• Casa San José immigration hotline: (412) 736-7167.

Listen to the interview: Jaime Martinez

Credits:
Richard Gordon, host, audio engineer, audio editor, researcher
Riona Duncan & Archan Das, additional research
Recorded April 16, 2025; WRCT debut April 29, 2025

For this episode of Forbes Avenue, we spoke with Mark Harley about the new trends in immigration enforcement that have resulted in university students’ visas being revoked at Carnegie Mellon and across the nation. Mark Harley is an experienced immigration lawyer and the chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Immigration Law Committee. He discussed what the law says about when visas should be revoked and how things are being conducted differently under the new administration. Tune in to learn more and listen to his advice!

Listen to the interview: Mark Harley

Credits:
Archan Das, host, researcher
Riona Duncan, host, audio editor, researcher
Recorded April 17, 2025; WRCT debut April 23, 2025