Black History Month Programming
Once again, With Good Reason has new specials available for Black History Month 2025.
Let us know if you have any questions or would like to receive download information.
Also, check out all of the specials (past and present) available on PRX: https://exchange.prx.org/series/34152-black-history-month-specials
New Brownies
In the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, W.E.B. DuBois wanted black children to have something to read that was uplighting for them. So, he started The Brownies’ Book, a monthly periodical for “children of the sun.” One hundred years later, husband and wife Karida Brown and Charly Palmer bring us The New Brownies.
And: Historian Brenton Boyd explains why he believes Black Americans and Carribeans have already coped with the rapture. Plus: What the early 20th century compositions of black composers William Grant Still and Undine Smith Moore can teach us about then and now.
PRX: Hour, Half AudioPort: Hour Download: Request
32 Blocks of Music
A slew of great and internationally recognized musicians–like Lonnie Liston Smith and Wah Wah Watson–grew up together in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond VA during the civil rights era. The neighborhood’s 32 blocks are the center of Alicia Aroche’s upcoming documentary 32 Blocks.
And: CJ Colston is a young black evangelical preacher and singer who performs in white and black churches across Appalachia. Also: Alternative Hip Hop artist geonova recounts the struggles and triumphs of being an LGBT artist in rural Big Stone Gap. Plus: Jazz Trumpeter John D’earth tells stories of his collaborations with some of the greatest jazz musicians.
PRX: Hour, Half AudioPort: Hour Download: Request
When Sunday Comes
Much has been said about the golden age of gospel music in the 1940s and 50s. But what about the gospel music that came later when hip-hop and soul were dominant? Claudrene arold’s book, When Sunday Comes, takes us to the Black record shops, churches, and businesses that transformed gospel after the Civil Rights era and nurtured the music that was an essential cultural and political expression for African Americans. Plus: Historian Lauranett Lee shares the history of the Juneteenth holiday.
And: Author Wilma Jones writes that her historically Black community of Halls Hill just outside of DC is rapidly gentrifying. She says it’s too late to save her grandma’s house but not too late to save her history.
PRX: Hour, Half AudioPort: Hour Download: Request
Staggered By the Fact of You – Available Saturday, Feb. 15
Join With Good Reason for a series of conversations that bring Furious Flower Poetry Lifetime Achievement honorees in conversation with a new generation of Black poets. This episode features Tim Seibles and Ariana Benson on alien life, Stevie Wonder, and the dreams of Langston Hughes.
And: Nikky Finney and Danez Smith on “Negroes with guns,” underwater cameras, and getting out of our lanes as the temperatures rise.
Available Feb 15 on PRX, AudioPort, Download
I Hadn’t Planned On Letting It Sing – Available Saturday, Feb. 22
Join With Good Reason for a series of conversations that bring Furious Flower Poetry Lifetime Achievement honorees in conversation with a new generation of Black poets. This episode features Lorna Goodison and Shauna Morgan on time travel, Band-Aids, and how human beings are always capable of surprise.
And: Cornelius Eady with Clemonce Heard on jazz solos, memorializing Black deaths, and the whispers that fill high school hallways.
Available Feb 22 on PRX, AudioPort, Download
No Regrets: The Music & Spirit of Billie Holiday
From Savage Content/Miami, Kent Savage, Executive Producer; New Media Productions/Boston, Steve Robinson, producer; and Willard Jenkins, Writer, Jazz Historian, and NEA Jazz Master
An in-depth series exploring Holiday’s musical genius and legacy.
Hosted by legendary jazz broadcaster Rhonda Hamilton.
Presented in 13 hour-long episodes, No Regrets examines the musician’s early life, her move to Harlem, and first recordings with Benny Goodman, her rise to stardom, the evolution of her singing style, how her haunting rendition of “Strange Fruit” played a vital role in the birth of the Civil Rights movement, the many challenges she faced throughout her life and final years culminating with the beautiful and poignant recording “Lady in Satin.”
The focus throughout is Holiday’s singular musical artistry, her independent spirit, how her unique approach to her music became one of the strongest influences in the evolution of Jazz, and how she continues to influence performers today.
The series includes interviews with musicians and scholars including: Karrin Allyson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Angela Davis, Lara Downes, Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin, Corky Hale, Alan Harris, Rene Marie, Professor Robert O’Meally, Dan Morgenstern, Fred Plotkin, Adam Clayton Powell III, Beth Roars, Dianne Reeves, Phil Schaap, Andromeda Turre and Casandra Wilson. The program also includes archived interviews collected by Linda Kuehl including Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Silvia Syms, Jo Jones, Milt Gabler, John Hammond, Billie Taylor, Mal Waldron, Bobby Tucker and others.
Does AA Work?
Dry January has become increasingly popular, practiced by a quarter of Americans last year, and provides individuals a collegial and open path for reconsidering their alcohol consumption. For almost two million people worldwide who have committed to staying sober for a lifetime, the group known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step plan has been a prominent lifeline. But is it the best approach for curbing alcoholism, and does it address its root causes?
Those who say AA is invaluable emphasize the merits of its peer-driven, community-based approach. They also point out that membership is free, only requiring a desire to stop drinking. Opportunities for fellowship can be found nearly anywhere, even in communities with limited access to healthcare or treatment facilities.
Those who say there might be a better way to sobriety argue that AA’s long-term success rates vary widely. They also note equity issues and note concerns with the program’s focus on abstinence rather than moderation. They say other therapies and interventions, such as harm reduction therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, would help those who may not succeed in the program.
Now with this background and in Dry January 2025, we debate the question: Does AA Work? Arguing Yes: Dan Griffin, Expert on Alcoholics Anonymous; Author of “A Man’s Way Through the Twelve Steps”
Arguing No: Adi Jaffe, Founder of IGNTD; Author of “The Abstinence Myth”
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Co-Host of the Semafor Podcast “Mixed Signals”, is the guest moderator.
Start off the New Year with new programs
OPEN TO DEBATE
America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate brings multiple perspectives together for real debates that are structured, respectful, provocative, and fact-driven. We examine the issues of the day with influential thinkers to build a stronger democracy through the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate.
Available: Content Depot, PRX, AudioPort
Length: One hour weekly
Cost: FREE
opentodebate.org
SEARCHING FOR THE FIRST ROCK AND ROLL SONG
A two decade long staple on WWOZ in New Orleans, Searching For The First Rock and Roll Song features records coveted by collectors from the era when rock and roll was emerging but hadn’t yet settled on a definition of itself. Not a hits, oldies, or “history of” radio show. it’s all the songs that influenced our now-legendary musicians who are regularly featured in all those hits, oldies, and “history of” radio shows.
Available: PRX, AudioPort, Downloads
Length: One, two, or three hours weekly
Cost: FREE
NO REGRETS: THE MUSIC & SPIRIT OF BILLIE HOLIDAY
Presented in 13 hour-long episodes, No Regrets examines the musician’s early life, her move to Harlem, and first recordings with Benny Goodman, her rise to stardom, the evolution of her singing style, how her haunting rendition of “Strange Fruit” played a vital role in the birth of the Civil Rights movement, the many challenges she faced throughout her life and final years culminating with the beautiful and poignant recording “Lady in Satin.
Available: Content Depot, PRX, AudioPort, Downloads
Length: 13 One-hour Programs
Cost: FREE
FOOTLIGHT PARADE
Songs from Broadway and Hollywood musicals, cleverly connected by theme. Host Bill Rudman connects the messages from the lyrics of musicals as far back as the turn of the 20th Century and as current as Broadway’s latest hits, relating them all to his theme du jour — “Transformations,” “Down With Love,” and “To Dub or Not to Dub” are some recent titles.
LENGTH: 53 minutes
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE: Download or PRX
SITE: www.musicaltheaterproject.org
POSSIBLY
The Science Behind Environmental Solutions. In an engaging and easy to understand manner Possibly looks at the science behind proposed environmental solutions to make choices that will, possibly, make a difference.
LENGTH: 4 Minutes Weekly
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE: PRX, AudioPort, Download
SITE: https://thepublicsradio.org/possibly/
SOUND BEAT
A trip through the history of recorded sound. The daily, 90-second radio show highlights the holdings of the Belfer Audio Archive at Syracuse University, one of the largest sound archives in the United States. Each episode focuses on one particular recording from the archive and provides a back story detailing its place in recording history.
LENGTH: 90 seconds daily
COST: FREE
AVAILABLE: CONTENT DEPOT, PRX, AudioPort, Download
SITE: http://soundbeat.org
Cozy up this Winter
Sound Beat has grown steadily to become one of Public Radio’s most popular daily features A free, daily, 90 second feature, Sound Beat highlights the holdings of the Syracuse University Libraries’ Belfer Audio Archive, one of the largest sound archives in the United States.
Like a trip through the history of recorded sound, Sound Beat episodes feature rare and unique recordings from the Archive, and entertaining backstorys detailing their place in recording history.
For more information, visit: https://creativepr.org/project/sound-beat/