NPR

Ayana Byrd  Jul 3, 2019 2:15PM EDT

LISTEN: How Puerto Ricans Are Preparing For The Next Hurricane

NPR spoke to politicians and residents of the island about what they are doing in the face of government inaction.  
Two young Latinnx women, one wearing braces, sit side by side.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 11, 2019 1:38PM EDT

Study and Roundtable Explore How Latinx Community Experiences Colorism

Those with darker skin are more likely to say they’ve been discriminated against, drawing a line directly to race.
Damon Young. A head shot of a bearded Black man in black glasses with a black t-shirt smiling in front of a brick wall.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Mar 25, 2019 1:14PM EDT

LISTEN: Damon Young Breaks Down His New Collection of Essays

“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker” shines a light on the struggles of existing while Black.
Desus Nice and The Kid Mero. Black man in maroon hat and black and maroon jacket stands next to Brown man in black hat and shirt and white and gold and blue jacket in front of black wall with red Showtime logo.
Sameer Rao  Feb 25, 2019 3:07PM EST

LISTEN: 'Desus & Mero' Stars Talk Making 'Late Night for the People'

The Bodega Boys want their new Showtime show to represent the people who are largely unrepresented in late-night television.
Hannah Beachler. Black woman with black hair smiles while wearing white dress with red and gray and yellow leaves and black lines in front of grey background with orange lines and grey CocaCola and AT&T logos.
Sameer Rao  Feb 22, 2019 3:19PM EST

LISTEN: Oscar Nominee Hannah Beachler Talks Bringing Wakanda to Life

The “Black Panther” production designer is the first Black woman ever nominated in her category.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, T-Boz and Chilli of TLC. Black woman in yellow bandana and camouflage jacket next to Black woman in red bandana and shirt next to Black woman in coral shirt and brown hat in front of blue screen.
Sameer Rao  Feb 4, 2019 2:26PM EST

LISTEN: Songwriter Kandi Burruss and TLC's Chilli On How 'No Scrubs' Became a Classic

On NPR, Burruss and Thomas discuss the lasting impact of TLC’s hit song nearly two decades later.
Nina Simone. Black-and-white photograph of Black woman lying on side in dress and multiple necklaces in front of gray background
Sameer Rao  Jan 9, 2019 3:24PM EST

LISTEN: Nina Simone's Ode to 'Young, Gifted and Black' Children Still Matters

Meshell Ndegeocello and Somi discuss the enduring importance of Simone’s 1969 tribute to Black youth for NPR’s American Anthem series.
Beige sculptures of dumplings on grey background
Sameer Rao  Jan 4, 2019 2:37PM EST

READ: Asian Americans Preserve Food Memories Via Art

Artists Stephanie Shih, Monyee Chau and Annie “RC” Shen discuss how their culinary traditions influence their art.
Taneka Stotts. Black woman in grey sweater holds comic book with purple and pink cover and gold text spelling "ELEMENTS FIRE"
Sameer Rao  Dec 21, 2018 2:03PM EST

Read Taneka Stotts' Reflections on Challenging the Status Quo of Comics

The writer and publisher won an Eisner Award for “Elements: Fire,” a comic anthology featuring creators of color.
Chuck D and Ernie Isley. Black men in black pants and hats and blue and black shirts join fists in front of red and brown chairs and brown floor and white wall with multicolored photos and artwork
Sameer Rao  Dec 10, 2018 12:03PM EST

Chuck D and Ernie Isley Talk Two Generations of 'Fight the Power'

The songwriters discuss their social justice anthems and the Black resistance that inspired them.
The GZA, Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan. Black men in multicolored clothing stand or sit in front of brown bookshelf and multicolored books and artwork
Sameer Rao  Dec 6, 2018 4:13PM EST

Watch the Wu-Tang Clan Drop Bars in This Tiny Desk Concert

The Wu celebrates the 25th anniversary of its debut album with a career-spanning medley and cipher.
Glory Edim. Black woman in grey shirt with black text that reads "WELL-READ BLACK GIRL" surrounded by green plants; Illustrated book cover with Black woman rendered in blue on light orange background with white stars and text
Sameer Rao  Dec 4, 2018 12:33PM EST

Glory Edim On Reading as Activism

The woman behind the “Well-Read Black Girl” anthology discusses how she built a community around Black women and literature.
Illustration of six foods, rendered in red, yellow and green hues on white plates and bowls underneath black text on light pink background
Sameer Rao  Nov 21, 2018 2:23PM EST

READ: How People of Color Make Thanksgiving Their Own

People of color across the country embrace the family-centric message of Thanksgiving by incorporating their own food and culture into the day.
Kimberly Drew. Black woman with black and brown dredlocs and silver septum ring in grey and black dress behind glass podium with black microphone in front of brown wall with orange and yellow lights
Sameer Rao  Nov 8, 2018 4:01PM EST

LISTEN: Kimberly Drew Calls for Real Accessibility in the Art World

The writer and advocate for Black artist empowerment discussed equity issues and her tenure at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on “What’s Good with Stretch & Bobbito.”
Sameer Gardezi. Brown man with black hair and beard in blue sweater in front of dark orange wall; Ramy Youssef. Brown man with brown hair and beard in black hat and green and black jacket and white shirt in front of light green wall with white text
Sameer Rao  Oct 30, 2018 4:16PM EDT

LISTEN: Muslim Screenwriters Fight Hollywood Islamophobia

Sameer Gardezi and Ramy Youssef discuss their new television projects and challenging the dangerous ways the entertainment industry depicts Muslims.
Los Lobos. Mexican-American men in black and white dress clothing hold guitars and other instruments in front of purple background
Sameer Rao  Oct 15, 2018 5:18PM EDT

What 'La Bamba' Means for Generations of Resistance

NPR’s “American Anthem” traces the song’s journey from Mexican folk song to pop hit to anthem of resistance.
Vijay Gupta. South Asian-American man plays brown violin with brown bow in red and blue plaid shirt and blue jeans in front of beige wall and green curtain and green trees
Sameer Rao  Oct 15, 2018 3:47PM EDT

LISTEN: MacArthur Genius Vijay Gupta On His Musical Roots and Mission

The violinist and educator discusses his inspiration in the musical traditions of his Bengali immigrant family and his work to uplift disadvantaged classical musicians.
Pair of red velvet ropes in front of orange background with white text and white background with orange text
Sameer Rao  Sep 27, 2018 1:01PM EDT

Moving Film Criticism Beyond the Velvet Rope of #CriticsSoWhite

Journalist Bilal Qureshi visits the Code Switch podcast to talk about the importance of entertainment media diversity initiatives.
Cécile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner. Black woman in green shawl with red necklace and turquoise glasses sings behind black microphone and in front of a Black man in a black suit at a black piano in front of black and brown bookshelves
Sameer Rao  Sep 25, 2018 1:56PM EDT

Let Cécile McLorin Salvant's Tiny Desk Set Soothe Your Soul

The Grammy-winning jazz vocalist performs as part of NPR’s intimate concert series. 
Lorraine Hansberry. Black-and-white image of Black woman in checkered shirt leaning on typewriter in front of lamp and artwork on walls
Sameer Rao  Sep 24, 2018 11:47AM EDT

LISTEN: Imani Perry Uplifts Lorraine Hansberry's Activist Legacy

“She was a feminist before the feminist movement. She was identified as a lesbian and thought about gay rights organizing before the gay rights movement. She was an anti-colonialist before all of the independences had been won in Africa and the Caribbean.”