Episode 17, April 4, 2023

Davia Nelson is a radio producer, screen writer and casting director. She began her life in radio as a DJ in high school in Los Angeles. She later attended UC Santa Cruz and began documenting the community through a series of oral history pieces. With her partner, Nikki Silva, Davia founded the “Kitchen Sisters,” one of the most lasting and prolific public radio production teams in modern history. Their NPR series include “Hidden Kitchens,” “Lost and Found Sounds,” the “Sonic Memorial Project,” “The Hidden World of Girls,” and “The Keepers.” They have won two James Beard Awards, two Peabody Awards and the DuPont Columbia Award among others. Davia has also worked in the film industry as a casting director for Francis Ford Coppola, Wim Wenders, and Wes Anderson. She was a screenplay writer and producer of “Imaginary Crimes,” starring Harvey Keitel. This is just a short list. Davia Nelson is also a dear friend.