2/7/25 O&A NYC BLACK FACTS: Emmett Till- His Death, Mother, Grave, & Facts

Emmett Louis Till was a 14-year-old African American who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman in her family’s grocery store. Join us as we discuss historical moments leading up to the death of Emmett Till, and how his death, helped fuel the Civil Rights movement. Continue reading

8/12/24 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a 1971 novel by Ernest J. Gaines. The story depicts the struggles of Black people as seen through the eyes of the narrator, a woman named Jane Pittman.The novel was dramatized in a TV movie in 1974, starring Cicely Tyson. Continue reading

2/4/24 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize is a traditional song Gospel Plow also know as Hold On. The song became influential during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
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1/17/21 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: MLK’s Promised Land (1967–1968 America’s Civil Rights Movement)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stakes out new ground for himself and the rapidly fragmenting civil rights movement. Continue reading

1/19/20 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Mahalia Jackson- Precious Lord Take My Hand

Precious Lord, Take My Hand was Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song, and he often invited gospel singer Mahalia Jackson to sing it at civil rights rallies to inspire crowds; at his request she sang it at his funeral in April 1968. Continue reading

1/20/19 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Ain’t Gonna Let No Body Turn Me ‘Round- The Freedom Singers Perform At The Obama White House

(Ain’t Gonna let Nobody) Turn Me Round performed by The Freedom Singers at the White House Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.
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4/4/18 O&A NYC MILESTONES:  Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination By Witness Clara Ester

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, an event that sent shock waves reverberating around the world. A then-college junior, Clara Ester was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee and rushed to Martin Luther King Junior’s side when he was shot.

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2/15/18 O&A NYC BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROWBACK THURSDAY: Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come

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A Change Is Gonna Come is a song by Sam Cooke, released on December 22, 1964 by RCA Victor. Though only a modest hit for Cooke in comparison with his previous singles, “A Change Is Gonna Come” became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement. The song is widely considered Cooke’s best composition and has been voted among the best songs ever released by various publications. In 2007, the song was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, with the National Recording Registry deeming the song “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.” Continue reading

2/12/17 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Ain’t Gonna Let No Body Turn Me ‘Round- The Freedom Singers In Performance at the White House

(Ain’t Gonna let Nobody) Turn Me Round performed by The Freedom Singers at the White House Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.
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11/20/16 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Mahalia Jackson- The Queen Of Gospel

GOSPEL SUNDAY

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Mahalia Jackson, The Queen of Gospel, became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world. She became an internationally acclaimed singer and civil rights activist. Entertainer Harry Belafonte described Jackson as “the single most powerful black woman in the United States”. She recorded about 30 albums.  Continue reading