In this debut episode, host Colby Colb speaks with radio and podcast producer Tawala Sharp, a lifelong Altadena resident. Tawala’s home was one of only five on his block to survive the devastating fire, yet it remains uninhabitable. He shares his firsthand experience of the destruction and the challenges of recovery. 

📌 Key Takeaways 
The devastation is unimaginable – Tawala recounts how he and his neighbors never thought a disaster like this could happen. The fire moved swiftly, leaving behind widespread destruction and despair. 
The road to recovery is filled with hurdles – The rebuilding process has been slow and frustrating. Residents are battling insurance companies, misinformation, and a lack of resources. The removal of debris won’t be completed until next year, and many families are still searching for a safe place to live. 
The media has moved on – Despite the disaster's severity, there is little to no major media coverage. Attention has shifted elsewhere, leaving residents feeling forgotten. Meanwhile, opportunists are trying to take advantage of displaced homeowners. 

 

🤝 How to Help 

Urban One is supporting the Brotherhood Crusade's Wildfire Relief Fund, which assists Altadena and Pasadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire. Donations provide essential resources such as food, medicine, and necessities to families in need. 

To contribute, visit: UrbanOneCares.com 

📩 Connect with Us 
Guest: Tawala Sharp – Contact: mrtawalasharp@gmail.com 
Host & Executive Producer: Colby "Colb" Tyner 
Email: ctyner@radio-one.com 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner 
Instagram: @officialcolbycolb 
BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social 

If you have updated information or firsthand stories to share, feel free to reach out directly to Colby. 

In this debut episode, host Colby Colb speaks with radio and podcast producer Tawala Sharp, a lifelong Altadena resident. Tawala&rsquo;s home was one of only five on his block to survive the devastating fire, yet it remains uninhabitable. He shares his firsthand experience of the destruction and the challenges of recovery.&nbsp;
📌 Key Takeaways&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">The devastation is unimaginable &ndash; Tawala recounts how he and his neighbors never thought a disaster like this could happen. The fire moved swiftly, leaving behind widespread destruction and despair.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">The road to recovery is filled with hurdles &ndash; The rebuilding process has been slow and frustrating. Residents are battling insurance companies, misinformation, and a lack of resources. The removal of debris won&rsquo;t be completed until next year, and many families are still searching for a safe place to live.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">The media has moved on &ndash; Despite the disaster's severity, there is little to no major media coverage. Attention has shifted elsewhere, leaving residents feeling forgotten. Meanwhile, opportunists are trying to take advantage of displaced homeowners.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
🤝 How to Help&nbsp;
Urban One is supporting the Brotherhood Crusade's Wildfire Relief Fund, which assists Altadena and Pasadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire. Donations provide essential resources such as food, medicine, and necessities to families in need.&nbsp;
To contribute, visit: UrbanOneCares.com&nbsp;
📩 Connect with Us&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Guest: Tawala Sharp &ndash; Contact: <a href="mailto:mrtawalasharp@gmail.com">mrtawalasharp@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Host &amp; Executive Producer: Colby "Colb" Tyner&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="2">Email: <a href="mailto:ctyner@radio-one.com">ctyner@radio-one.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="2">LinkedIn: <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner">linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="2">Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/officialcolbycolb">@officialcolbycolb</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="2">BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
If you have updated information or firsthand stories to share, feel free to reach out directly to Colby.&nbsp;

Altadena: After The Fire – An Urban One podcast chronicling the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, which devastated Altadena, California, in January 2025. A historic center of Black prosperity and culture, the community lost over 7,000 homes, schools, and businesses, leaving thousands displaced and fighting to rebuild.Hosted by Colby Colb, this series brings you on-the-ground reporting, in-depth interviews, and real stories of resilience. We examine the personal toll of the disaster, the environmental and political factors at play, and the ongoing efforts to restore Altadena’s rich cultural heritage.We’re also supporting the Brotherhood Crusade’s Wildfire Relief Fund, helping affected families and businesses recover. Visit UrbanOneCares.com to contribute.Join us as we document the journey of a community determined to rise from the ashes.If you have updated information or firsthand stories to share, feel free to reach out directly to Colby.
Email: ctyner@radio-one.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner
Instagram: @officialcolbycolb
BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social

Altadena: After The Fire&nbsp;&ndash; An&nbsp;Urban One&nbsp;podcast chronicling the aftermath of the&nbsp;Eaton Fire, which devastated&nbsp;Altadena, California, in January 2025. A historic center of&nbsp;Black prosperity and culture, the community lost over&nbsp;7,000 homes, schools, and businesses, leaving thousands displaced and fighting to rebuild.Hosted by&nbsp;Colby Colb, this series brings you&nbsp;on-the-ground reporting, in-depth interviews, and real stories of resilience. We examine the personal toll of the disaster, the environmental and political factors at play, and the ongoing efforts to restore&nbsp;Altadena&rsquo;s rich cultural heritage.We&rsquo;re also supporting the&nbsp;Brotherhood Crusade&rsquo;s Wildfire Relief Fund, helping affected families and businesses recover. Visit&nbsp;UrbanOneCares.com&nbsp;to contribute.Join us as we document the journey of a community determined to&nbsp;rise from the ashes.If you have updated information or firsthand stories to share, feel free to reach out directly to Colby.
<ul data-end="593" data-start="109">
<ul data-end="593" data-start="263">
<li>Email: ctyner@radio-one.com</li>
<li>LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner" data-linkindex="0" data-start="344" data-end="416" data-auth="NotApplicable">linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner</a></li>
<li>Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://instagram.com/officialcolbycolb" data-linkindex="1" data-start="438" data-end="499" data-auth="NotApplicable">@officialcolbycolb</a></li>
<li>BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social</li>
</ul>
</ul>

Advertisement