Black History is American History
Celebrate the excellence of Black History Month through Fresh Air's interviews with some of America's most prominent figures in film, sports, culture and beyond.
Preserving Black History and Culture Through Literature
Playwright and novelist Ntzoake Shange, best known for her play For Colored Girls, joins Fresh Air to talk about the diversity of the black experience, her childhood and early education, and the criticism she sometimes gets from black male authors and playwrights. Her new play is called Betsey Brown.
'I Always, Always Fight': Octavia Spencer On Demanding More From Hollywood
Growing up, actor Octavia Spencer remembers being inspired by the story of Madam C.J. Walker, one of America's first black, female, self-made millionaires. Born on a plantation in 1867, Walker eked out a living washing clothes for white families before building an empire selling hair care and makeup products to women of color.
Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin
We begin with a rare interview with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. She's won fifteen Grammy awards and is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. She was born and grew up in Detroit. The state of Michigan has proclaimed her voice a natural resource. Her hits include "Respect," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "You Make me Feel Like a Natural Woman."
'Get Out' Sprang From An Effort To Master Fear, Says Director Jordan Peele
The new film, Get Out, defies easy classification. Though it has funny moments, it's primarily a horror film, with racial anxiety at its center. Writer-director Jordan Peele tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that he thinks of Get Out as a "social thriller."
'Awkward' And 'Insecure' Get To The Root Of Writer Issa Rae's Humor
Writer and actress Issa Rae is upfront about the fact that she doesn't always fit in.In 2011, Rae brought that sensibility to her Web comedy series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, which ran for two seasons. Now, Rae continues to explore themes of race, identity and belonging as the creator and star of the new HBO series Insecure.
Ballerina Lauren Anderson.
Principal dancer for the Houston Ballet, and the first African-American to be a principal dancer, Lauren Anderson. She began studying at the ballet’s academy at the age of 7, and working with Stevenson at the age of 11 when he was hired by the ballet. Stevenson choreographed “Cleopatra,” for her.
LeBron James Shoots For The 'Stars'
Basketball player LeBron James has been a star since he was a teenager. Now 24, James looks back on his youth in the memoir Shooting Stars, which he co-wrote with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Buzz Bissinger.
'Satchel' Recalls The Iconic Pitcher Who Helped Integrate Major League Baseball
Hall of Famer Satchel Paige started his career pitching in the Negro leagues and later became a major league star. Author Larry Tye tells his story in Satchel. Originally broadcast in 2010.
Motown Founder Berry Gordy
Gordy and his record label made stars out of musicians including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. He has written his autobiography, "To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown: An Autobiography."
Temptations Singer Otis Williams
The soul icon still sings with the 1960s vocal group. Williams remembers the producers who wrote and recorded the Temptations' hit songs, and how they were able to capture soul and emotion on tape. He has a new memoir, simply called Temptations.
Jay-Z: The Fresh Air Interview
Jay-Z is one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time. On Fresh Air, he discusses growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by drugs and violence, and the stories behind many of his famous songs.
Riding Philly's 'Love Train' With Gamble And Huff
Producers, writers and musicians Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff founded the legendary record label Philadelphia International and helped pioneer the sound of Philadelphia soul.