Aundra Willis Carrasco: Writing the Untold Story of Her Brother's Place in History Artwork

WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers on the Move!

Hi, I’m Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, your host of WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers on the Move!, the podcast that kicks old stereotypes to the curb! Come meet these creative, outrageous, authentic, adventurous, irreverent and powerful Disrupters and Influencers. Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers – from the living room to the courtroom – making powerful contributions in every walk of life. We know them most intimately as loving caregivers, the older women in our lives with a thousand stories about their grandchildren and pictures in their purses…. In this podcast, you’ll come to know even more about our Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers - they are galvanized, determined and are guaranteed to get you thinking! What drives them? What are they up to? What is the potential of Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmother power, and how is it changing the world?! WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers are on the move...you don’t want to be left behind!

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WISDOM AT WORK: : Older Women, Elderwomen, Grandmothers on the Move!

Aundra Willis Carrasco: Writing the Untold Story of Her Brother's Place in History

March 24, 2024 • ilana landsberg-lewis • Episode 63

When the echoes of jazz legends still rumbled through Cleveland, a determined young man named Winston Willis carved out a slice of American history. His remarkable sister, Aundra, joins me to share a riveting tale of triumph and tragedy, as she unveils the story of her brother's rise and fall in her new book: "Winston Willis: A Memoir". From the grooves of a vibrant jazz scene to the chilling grip of systemic racism, Aundra guides us through the heart of a metropolis where her brother soared to the heights of entrepreneurship. And then....

Aundra recounts the David-and-Goliath battle her brother waged against the discriminatory systems - a fight that symbolizes the broader struggle faced by countless African American entrepreneurs and landowners. Aundra's searing, humorous and courageous account is a sobering reminder of the tenacity required to challenge the deep-seated racism of the day.

There's a deeply human story woven throughout, as Aundra opens up about her family's intimate connection to the civil rights movement. From receiving a letter from Martin Luther King Jr. to meeting Muhammad Ali, this episode is a testament to the strength of family bonds in the face of adversity. Aundra's own reflections on aging and the precious act of storytelling by our Elders, to underscore the importance of giving voice to those who lived—and thrived—through pivotal moments in history, ensuring their legacies are not lost to time. Join us for an episode that not only honours the past but also ignites a conversation about the future, a chorus of jazz and justice resonating for generations to come.

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