In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks with Dr. Michael Gomez (Silver Professor of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at NYU) about two of his works: "Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora" and "African Dominion: A New History of Empire in Early and Medieval West Africa." Dr. Gomez and Wesley chat about the role of history in a pluralistic society and reflect on how we may rethink the histories of people in the African diaspora.
Latest Salt Line Podcast
- A Conversation with Laura TrevelyanIn this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan, who recently learned that her ancestors were absentee slave owners in Grenada. Wes and Laura engage in a conversation about her family's complicated history and what reparatory justice might look like in Grenada or other places with a history of enslavement. Recorded on 2/20/25
- A Conversation with Kleaver CruzIn this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Kleaver Cruz '11 about their book, "The Black Joy Project." Wes and Kleaver engage in a dynamic conversation about the concept of joy and other emotions (or states of being) that paradoxically exist alongside joy.
- A Conversation with Torrey MaldonadoIn this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Torrey Maldonado '96, an educator and author who served as Vassar's 2025 Commencement speaker. Dixon and Maldonado talked about his most recent novel "Hands" and how the themes of the novel are applicable to teenagers, college graduates, and older adults.
- A Conversation with Naomi SeligmanIn this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Naomi Seligman '55, Oracle board member and senior partner at Ostriker von Simson. Wes and Naomi talk about her time at Vassar, the legacy of her mentor, Vassar alum and professor, Grace Hopper '28, and Seligman's own career and experience as a successful entrepreneur in the technology sector.
- A Conversation w/ Lloyd BraunIn this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Lloyd Braun '80 who served as Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group among other roles. Wes and Lloyd talk about the evolution of the entertainment industry and the role of the internet in shaping the media landscape.
- A Conversation with Michelle MonjeIn this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Dr. Michelle Monje '98 who is a 2021 recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” award and the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Wesley and Dr. Monje discuss the intersections of clinical care and research as it relates to pediatric oncology and explore the complex ethical questions associated with Dr. Monje's groundbreaking research.