Episode 7

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Published on:

6th Feb 2025

Sundays in the '50s & '60s: Family, Faith, and Magnolia Trees

Step back in time with Wambui Bahati as she shares her cherished memories of typical Sundays during her childhood in Greensboro, NC, during the 1950s and 1960s. From the Saturday preparations of shopping and cooking for a grand Sunday meal, reminiscent of today's Thanksgiving feasts, to the rituals of getting dressed in their Sunday best for church and Sunday school, each moment is a snapshot of a bygone era. Wambui also recounts the scenic shortcut through Bennett College campus, sprinkled with magnificent magnolia trees, that she and her siblings took to church. This video is a heartfelt journey into the past, celebrating the simple yet profound traditions that shaped Sundays for many families. #NostalgicSundays #FamilyTraditions #GreensboroMemories

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About the Podcast

70 Years and Beyond
Capturing Yesterday. Inspiring Tomorrow.
Welcome to '70 Years and Beyond' with Wambui Bahati, exploring history through personal stories from the 1950s to now. Born in the mid-20th century, Wambui brings the past alive, answering your questions with humor and insight. Dive into episodes spanning civil rights, music evolution, technology, and societal changes. This channel is more than a collection of stories; it invites engagement, learning, and reflection. Curious about those transformative years? Got questions? Join the conversation and become part of a community that cherishes history, storytelling, and the impact of personal experiences. Subscribe to a journey through time with Wambui.

About your host

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Wambui Bahati

Wambui Bahati, born John-Ann Washington in Greensboro, North Carolina, is an American performer, author, and motivational speaker. She began her professional theater career in 1972 with "Godspell" at Ford's Theater. She later performed in Broadway productions of "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". She has traveled across the United States and Canada, playing leads in many Broadway show tours, such as "The Wiz" and the rock version of "Two Gentlemen of Verona."

In 1995, she changed her name to Wambui Bahati—meaning "singer of songs" and "my fortune is good" in Swahili—to symbolize a fresh start on her path from tough times to triumph.

Wambui shares mental health awareness and lessons on "How to Get Up When You've Been Knocked Down" with her highly acclaimed one-woman musical entitled "Balancing Act." Her one-woman show about domestic violence has educated and inspired audiences across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Her life is a testament to turning personal challenges into opportunities to inspire and make a difference.

In addition to her work in theater and advocacy, this nostalgia enthusiast is a crafter and shares tutorials on various crafts, with a special emphasis on loom knitting, through her YouTube channel, "Wambui Made It."

Her autobiography, "You Don't Know Crazy: My Life Before, During, After, Above, and Beyond Mental Illness," details her journey with mental health and has been well-received by readers.

Wambui continues to inspire others with her message of resilience and hope.