Dr. Jasmine Henry opens our journey with insights into how House Music festivals became cornerstones of Black community building in Newark. DJ Omar Abdallah and Charles Mitchell share firsthand accounts of how these spaces evolved from music venues into sanctuaries of Black expression and unity.

The legendary DJ Jihad Muhammad takes us through the golden era of Newark's club scene, while Executive Producer Jamara Wakefield contextualizes the current challenges facing these cultural institutions. DJ Mix Mash brings us full circle with a vision for the future of House Music culture in Black spaces.

Together, these storytellers weave a tapestry of resilience, examining how these venues have survived without traditional funding streams and what's at stake if these spaces disappear. Through personal stories, historical context, and raw honesty, they reveal how House Music festivals have become more than entertainment – they're vital platforms for community building, cultural preservation, and Black joy.

This episode is part of our Black House Black Joy documentary series. Join us as we explore the intersection of music, community, and cultural preservation in one of America's most vibrant House Music scenes.