How is Fisk University preserving the history of a Jim Crow-era educational program for Black students? Plus, the local news for September 30, 2025.
The Memphis church pivotal in Martin Luther King Jr.’s final days suffers a devastating fire
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.
Carolina to ‘Cowboy Carter’ and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home
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.
Black History Month and the arts in Nashville
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.
Renowned poet and Black arts movement icon Nikki Giovanni dies at 81
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.
Profile: Dr. Learotha Williams
Dr. Learotha Williams is one of the preeminent historians of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Historical markers are everywhere in America. Some get history wrong.
The nation’s historical markers delight, distort and, sometimes, just get the story wrong.
Anatomy of the perfect Tennessee road trip
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.
The N-Word: Part 2
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.
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