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Black history

The Memphis church pivotal in Martin Luther King Jr.’s final days suffers a devastating fire

Adrian Sainz, APandTravis Loller, AP

April 28, 2025

Clayborn Temple was central to the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis that drew King to the city where he wound up being assassinated. Before the Monday morning fire, the Temple was undergoing a $25 million restoration slated to finish next year.

Filed Under: History, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Associated Press, Black churches, Black history, Martin Luther King, memphis, MLK

Carolina to ‘Cowboy Carter’ and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home

jewly hight

April 25, 2025

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For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, WPLN News Tagged With: Black history, country music, Rhiannon Giddens

Black History Month and the arts in Nashville

Josh Deepan

February 5, 2025

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It is no secret that Nashville has a strong performing arts presence, but arguably, even more important is the city’s impact on Black history.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Programs, Race & Equity Tagged With: Belmont University, Black history, performing arts

Renowned poet and Black arts movement icon Nikki Giovanni dies at 81

Andrew Limbong, NPR

December 10, 2024

The poet and activist was a leading figure of the Black Arts Movement. Giovanni was working on her upcoming book of poetry, set to publish in the fall.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, NPR News, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Black history, Fisk University, Nikki Giovanni, NPR

Profile: Dr. Learotha Williams

Mary Mancini

August 5, 2024

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Dr. Learotha Williams is one of the preeminent historians of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Filed Under: History, Programs Tagged With: Black history, Dr. Learotha Williams

Historical markers are everywhere in America. Some get history wrong.

Laura Sullivan, NPRandNick McMillan, NPR

April 22, 2024

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The nation’s historical markers delight, distort and, sometimes, just get the story wrong.

Filed Under: History, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Black history, historical markers, history, Indigenous history, NPR

Anatomy of the perfect Tennessee road trip

Magnolia McKay

March 21, 2024

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When WPLN Senior Music Writer Jewly Hight pitched This Is Nashville producer Magnolia McKay the idea for an episode about roadside attractions, McKay was quick to say yes. But she was not prepared for the deep knowledge Hight had on the plethora of fun and quirky stops within Tennessee state lines. Luckily, she was an eager student and a good sport.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Features, History, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Black history, Tina Turner, travel

The N-Word: Part 2

Khalil Ekulona

February 28, 2024

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Today we have part two of our conversation about the N-Word. We’ll examine the public spaces where the word is most commonly used: Hip Hop and Rap music, and the world of comedy — specifically stand up comedy.

Filed Under: Programs Tagged With: Black history, Black History Month, comedy, hip hop, music, Race

The N-Word Part 1

Khalil Ekulona

February 27, 2024

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It is arguably the most complicated word in the English language. A word that has engendered pain and violence. It’s a tangible reminder of hate.

Filed Under: Programs Tagged With: Black history, Black History Month

Music from Memphis’ Stax Records, Detroit’s Motown featured in online show

Adrian Sainz, AP

February 1, 2024

Fans of the soulful sounds of Detroit’s Motown and Memphis’ Stax Records will be able to enjoy music from both brands in the same place if they watch and listen to a free, online show streaming during Black History Month in February.

Filed Under: Arts, Culture & Music, Race & Equity, WPLN News Tagged With: Associated Press, Black history, memphis, Motown, music, R&B, soul music, Stax Records

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