Elliott Smith

With the freeing of four million enslaved people after the Civil War, the Reconstruction period brought new victories and challenges in the fight for Black rights. Learn more about this crucial period in US history....

The Civil War began after eleven southern states seceded in order to keep slavery. Discover how enslaved people experienced the war, from serving on the front lines to glimpsing and winning freedom....

The abolitionist movement fought to end slavery long before the Civil War. Learn about abolitionist leaders such as Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, setbacks and victories for the movement, and the work abolitionists continue to inspire....

Did the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team really win the gold medal by beating the Soviet Union in 1980? Do Detroit Red Wings fans really throw octopuses onto the ice at home games?

Read Woke Books are created in partnership with Cicely Lewis, the Read Woke librarian. Inspired by a belief that knowledge is power, Read Woke Books seek to amplify the voices of people of the global majority....

Music changes over time, and new artists rise to fame with every generation. Black artists of the past and present have produced hit songs, won Grammy Awards, and written about difficult or challenging topics....

Activists take a stand. They speak out and demand change. From legendary boxer Muhammad Ali to baseball star Carlos Delgado, listeners discover the pro athletes who have affected change by speaking out against war and its impact on society.

When much of the US was segregated, Black athletes were not allowed to play alongside white athletes. Black athletes started their own sports leagues, including the Black Fives.

Why is Green Bay, Wisconsin, nicknamed “Titletown?” Does “icing” the kicker of an opposing team actually work? Do sewer systems in some cities really get flooded during halftime on Super Bowl Sunday? Dig in to get the real stories behind these and other great football myths and legends!

Explore the elevated world of rock climbing! Listeners will learn about free soloing, equipment needed, and safety measures taken for this sky-high sport. Discover other extreme climbing and how athletes practice their skills and experience thrills in nature.

Did Wilt Chamberlain really score 100 points by himself in a single game? Was the 1985 NBA Draft really fixed to make sure the New York Knicks got the first pick? Get ready to discover the real stories behind these and other great basketball myths and legends!

There are many forms of art, and all of them have changed over time. In literature, dance, and fine arts, artists and writers have shared Black life, culture, and history. Many of them have broken barriers and inspired future generations....

Going to a baseball game? Don't expect the teams to care about a rookie's first home run. But do watch for Bryce Harper's bat tapping ritual each time he's up for bat.

Racism and profit were driving forces in the growth of slavery. The transatlantic trade of enslaved people saw millions of kidnapped Africans sent around the world, many of them to the Americas. Even after the importation of enslaved people was banned, slavery did not end in the US....

The Civil War (1861–1865) was a pivotal time in US history. During the war, the nation was divided over the institution of slavery. While the Union, made up of Northern states, fought to end slavery in the US, the Confederacy, made up of Southern states, fought to keep slavery....

The Revolutionary War is one of the most important events in US history, but many people's stories have gone untold. These people wrote about their beliefs, fought in battles, spied on their enemies, and more. Discover the remarkable people who lived during the Revolutionary War....

Athletes and the sports they play are popular across generations. Black athletes throughout time have become legends in their sports. They help shape the game, create change, and continue to break barriers in sports where they've been historically underrepresented....

The entertainment industry includes TV shows and movies, plays, comedy, and more. New people are always ready to show off their talent. Black entertainers such as Queen Latifah, Donald Glover, and Zendaya transform the industry and move people's emotions....

It’s talent show time! But Bo’s friends have different ideas of what they should do, and Bo isn't sure he even wants to participate. Will Bo find a way to bring his friends together on stage?

Bo's excited to help Pop-Pop bake a cake for the annual Juneteenth celebration. But what happens when his baking skills lead to disaster? Can Bo cook up a new idea in time for the picnic?