Open Book is a new show premiering on Monday: each episode focuses on a single neighborhood or community to introduce you to the musicians, actors, poets and other storytellers whose work reminds us we're all connected. This premiere episode takes place in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, a neighborhood with a rich cultural heritage.

Guests include former child soldier Ishmael Beah, award-winning novelist Jennifer Egan, legendary jazz musician Bill Lee, Walt Whitman-devotee Daryl Blaine Ford, creative genius Carl Hancock Rux, Def Jam poet Suheir Hammad, singer Nucomme, and star of stage and screen, and actor Jeffrey Wright.

I had the good fortune of being in a small, 20-person interview/seminar with Carl Hancock Rux back in 2004. He talked about his experiences as an artist, and read excerpts from his book, Asphalt. It was pretty incredible. I'm really excited to see this show, if only to see Rux speak again!

Learn More about Open Book here