Race

Former slave Felix Haywood, 92 years old when he was photographed in San Antonio in 1937, told an interviewer, "All we had to do was to walk, but walk south, and we'd be free as soon as we crossed the Rio Grande."

National

A Chapter In U.S. History Often Ignored: The Flight Of Runaway Slaves To Mexico

4:46pm February 28, 2021

by John Burnett

As the U.S. Treasury considers putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill to honor her role in the northbound underground railroad, new attention is being paid to the often overlooked southbound route.

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Writer Investigates History Of America's Black Brewers

5:22pm February 27, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with writer James Bennett II, whose latest piece in Eater explores the deep history of Black brewers in America.

National

In The Story Of U.S. Immigration, Black Immigrants Are Often Left Out

8:00am February 27, 2021

Nana Gyamfi, Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, tells NPR's Scott Simon about challenges Black immigrants to the U.S. face.

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Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Rise Dramatically Amid Pandemic

8:00am February 27, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon asks journalist Jennifer Chen about the surge in violence against Asian-Americans.

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Science

Joy Buolamwini: How Do Biased Algorithms Damage Marginalized Communities?

10:13am February 26, 2021

by NPR/TED Staff

Data, numbers, algorithms are supposed to be neutral ... right? Computer scientist Joy Buolamwini discusses the way biased algorithms can lead to real-world inequality.

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A montage blend of African American faces close up, both men and women with different shades and colors in skin tone. Melanin beauty.

Politics & Government

Black History Month Playlist

10:13am February 26, 2021

February is Black History Month — a time to remember more than 400 years of Black heritage. To celebrate the achievements of the community, we created a playlist of our favorite conversations.

Colette Pichon Battle: How Can We Prepare For The Next Hurricane Katrina?

10:13am February 26, 2021

by NPR/TED Staff

Sea level rise will displace millions by 2100 — and the Louisiana bayous, where Colette Pichon Battle lives, may disappear entirely. She describes how we can avert the worst when disaster strikes.

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Young Artist Honors Black Icons With Playing Cards

5:01am February 26, 2021

A 22-year-old Kansas City artist, Kearra Johnson, transforms a school art project into a tribute to Black history – a standard playing card deck with face cards that portray African American icons.

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Voters fill out 2020 general election ballots in Alexandria, Va. A state-level Voting Rights Act is now on the governor's desk.

Politics & Government

Virginia Is Poised To Approve Its Own Voting Rights Act

5:00am February 26, 2021

by Ben Paviour

The legislation pushed by Democrats underscores the southern state's transformation when it comes to voting restrictions.

Education

Morehouse College Is Offering A Program To Help Black Men Complete Their Degrees

5:34pm February 25, 2021

Over 2 million Black men in the U.S. have started — but never completed — college degrees. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College, about their program to help.

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