Black History Month

Black history happens every day, and the stories from NPR listeners are good examples of that. From becoming the first Black mayor of a town to singing music about change, these stories matter.

Lillian Gregory, the widow of comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory, remembers her husband who died in 2017. The interview is part of the StoryCorps "Brightness in Black" project.

Every week for Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is highlighting a different trailblazer and maverick of Black music history.

Every week for Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison is highlighting a different maverick of Black music history.

On this Leap Day, today's Beautiful Music is by a composer born on February 29, 1792: Gioachino Antonio Rossini. We known him best for his 39 operas, including THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, SEMIRAMIDE, and WILLIAM TELL.

Frederick Ballentine is an American tenor whose awards include a Grammy for his recording of George Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS. The opera star exudes a sense of ease, confidence, and fun when it comes to his career.

English horn is a double reed instrument in the oboe family. It has a distinctively deeper and reedier sound than its cousin, the oboe. Today's Beautiful Music is a 2009 composition for English horn with orchestra -- ROMANCE -- by Grigory Smirnov.

William Eddins started in music with piano lessons as a 5 year old, and went on to earn his piano performance degree at the Eastman School of Music. He has continued to perform as a pianist, and today's Beautiful Music features a performance he gave on February 25th.

Representatives from three generations of the musical McLendon family — Elder Goldwire, Antonio and Samara Joy — commune together in conversation at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia.

Today's Beautiful Music features Davóne Tines singing THE COLD SONG from Henry Purcell's opera King Arthur with pianist Adam Nielsen.