Deena Barnwell
Deena B was the host of, "Adventures in Music" on KMHD. She also produced digital stories with a heavy focus on Black folks and what they create — mostly music.
Before joining OPB, Deena worked as an urban music director at KBOO in Portland. In addition to that role, she hosted a weekly radio show where she provided a platform for local hip hop performers. Deena has been credited with helping to establish a hip-hop network in the Northwest. Deena has spoken locally and nationally on panels about feminism, hip ho, and censorship. She has interviewed national acts as well as local ones.
While earning her bachelors of arts from Portland State University, Deena wrote for the school's paper, The Vanguard and collaborated on several projects with PSU's Black Studies department. She's also a freelance DJ at large, notably opening for The Roots and Snoop Dogg.
She is now a cat mom with lots of pieces of wax (vinyl records).
Latest Stories
Finding the funk with Mz. Etta and The Dookie Jam
The Dookie Jam takes place once a month at the Alberta Street Pub, which is located in a historically black neighborhood in Portland, Oregon.
OPB Wrapped: 23 music albums that captivated our ears and hearts in 2023
Staff from across Oregon Public Broadcasting share the albums that shaped their year — plus a few runners-up.
The Scene with Yawa
Yawa, aka Amenta Abioto, is a singer, songwriter, producer and performance artist from Memphis, Tennessee. She is now based in Portland and will be performing at Decibel Sound & Drink in Milwaukie on Sunday.
In conversation with Kassa Overall
There are new musical landscapes among us. Where jazz and hip-hop form a fusion not yet defined. Drummer, producer and artist Kassa Overall came to the KMHD studios and spoke about what that future may look like. Kassa Overall will be performing in Portland at Mississippi Studios on Aug. 26.
In conversation with Madison McFerrin
Producer, songwriter and vocalist Madison McFerrin visited the KMHD studios and spoke with host Deena B about her artistic journey of creating her debut album, “I Hope You Can Forgive Me." McFerrin will be in Portland performing at Pickathon, Aug. 4 and 5.