Committed to elevating and honoring Black voices, Connecticut Public highlights diverse narratives and community stories from across the state. Dive into a rich tapestry of narratives celebrating the Black communities across Connecticut and beyond. Explore podcasts, documentaries, local news and talk shows, all spotlighting diverse perspectives and stories.
Talk Shows
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Mariangie Pena/The Stowe Center for Literary ActivismThis year's winner of the Stowe Prize is Princess Joy L. Perry. Her debut novel, 'This Here is Love,' follows multiple characters as it depicts slavery in 1690s Virginia and the complex hierarchies that form. -
Courtesy of KnopfAward-winning author Edwidge Danticat talks about her latest book, 'Dèy,' which tells the story of a Haitian American woman in Miami trying to understand a traumatic experience. -
Brian Bates/Diversity In Aquatics.We'll learn how the history of discrimination at pools impacts people of color, and we'll talk to a local group who provides adaptive swim lessons to neurodivergent students. -
Lisa Lake/Getty ImagesWith the 250th year of the U.S., scholar Eddie Glaude Jr. is thinking about how the country celebrates its founding. His new book is 'America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation’s Anniversaries.' -
Kimberlé Williams CrenshawKimberlé Williams Crenshaw is known for her pioneering work on critical race theory and intersectionality— both of which are terms she coined. She joins us to discuss her new book, 'Backtalker: An American Memoir,' which explores how the way she grew up taught her the importance of speaking out. -
Petros Giannakouris/APThe 'Disrupted' summer movie panel is back! We'll talk about the moment horror films are having today, and we'll have an honest conversation about representation in Hollywood.
Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean unpacks how big and small disruptions are shaping our lives.
Local News
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SOUL, an acronym for Supporting Opportunity and Uplifting Leadership, was established by the foundation to assist Black-owned businesses in Fairfield County. -
The marker located in the famed Granary Burial Ground near Park Street is likely one of the oldest of a free Black person in the U.S., city officials said Thursday. -
Fanel Merville says he’s been responding to anxious calls from Haitian immigrants who have a Temporary Protected Status and have lots of questions, as they may face deportation due to their TPS status expiring. -
An ongoing project to preserve one of the last structures from a neighborhood, built by and for free Black people in Bridgeport during the 19th century, is getting additional funding for restoration work. -
David Hopkins, President of the Urban League of Greater Hartford, emphasized that although the Urban League is not known for health initiatives, health is one of the five pillars of the organization.The league believes the pillars which also include, education, employment, housing, and social justice, make a community economically strong.
Black Voices Spotlight on Local Authors & Artists
At Connecticut Public, we celebrate Black voices year-round—through storytelling, reporting, and the arts. This February, as part of our ongoing Black Voices initiative, we’re highlighting authors and artists to honor Black history, and celebrate the creativity and lived experiences shaping our communities today.
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“An Arcane Inheritance," weaves dark academia with occult secrets at a fictional Ivy League school based in Hartford. -
Krystal Marquis talks about her bestselling book series 'The Davenports.' The Davenports are based on a real family, and the book offers a portrait of Black wealth that is often left out of history. -
Although many efforts have been made to expand books and curriculum used to teach Black history, African American children’s literature can still be limited. -
“An Arcane Inheritance," weaves dark academia with occult secrets at a fictional Ivy League school based in Hartford.
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Muralist and curator Andre Rochester talks about building an art career in Hartford — and why Black History Month is about presence, pride and persistence. -
While some may think Craft’s partly autobiographical books portray stark adversity, he said it’s quite the contrary. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to Cheryl W. Thompson about her book, "Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen," which chronicles Black World War II pilots who were lost in combat.
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NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Carlotta Walls LaNier about her new children's picture book, "Carlotta's Special Dress," recounting her story as the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine.
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We discuss a new picture book about inventor Jim West and hear from Angeline Boulley, bestselling author of young adult novels like 'Firekeeper's Daughter' and 'Sisters in the Wind'. -
Jim Clyburn's new book, The First Eight, restores the lives of South Carolina's early Black congressmen and shows how their battles during Reconstruction offer lessons, and warnings, for politics today.
Enslaved people helped build the foundation of much of Connecticut. Get to know some of these men, women and children and the lives they lived.
StoryCorps: featuring Black Voices
StoryCorps has been animating select stories since 2010, translating its trove of award-winning audio recordings to screens both big and small. StoryCorps’ animations share the wisdom of humanity through dynamic visuals in a variety of animation styles.
PBS Features
A ground-breaking documentary that explores the ways in which racism is intertwined with American religion.
WATCH HERE
WATCH HERE
NPR features
IBA profiles a diverse selection of current and historically significant figures whose stories help illuminate life in Black America.
Connecticut Public aims to elevate Black voices in our coverage. We want to hear from you!