Black Experience

The voice of Ayesha Rascoe is one familiar to KUAF listeners. You’ve heard her as a politics reporter, a White House correspondent, and now as the host of Weekend Edition Sunday. But in the new book "HBCU Made", Rascoe says she was lonely, introverted, and deeply treasured her alone time. But when you hear her on the radio now, it’s almost hard to believe that was true.

Chris and Lindsey sit down with a man well-known in Fayetteville, as an educator, leader, friend, mentor, and advocate, Dr. John Colbert. Dr. Colbert recently retired as the twelfth superintendent of Fayetteville Public Schools. In his ground-breaking 46 year career, 43 years with Fayetteville Public Schools, he has served as the district’s first African-American special education teacher, the first African-American principal, and the first African-American superintendent. He is also the first FPS staff member to rise through the ranks from teacher to principal to assistant superintendent to superintendent.

For our fourth episode, Lindsey and Chris introduce and discuss The State of Black NWA, a groundbreaking community-wide initiative designed to amplify the voices of the Black community across Northwest Arkansas (NWA). The Council is launching the census project to gain a deeper understanding of the quality of life in Northwest Arkansas, with a particular focus on members of the Black community.The State of Black NWA census is for individuals who identify as Black or are descendants of the African diaspora living in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and is available here.

The sport basketball was famously invented by James Naismith in 1891, and within a matter of years, African Americans picked up the sport and began playing. Claude Johnson is the author of The Black Fives and has researched extensively the history of African American basketball teams predating integrated professional basketball leagues in the United States.

Do you remember the first time you were keenly aware of your body? Maybe a bully a school pointed out your skin tone, or you noticed your hair didn't look quite like your siblings. Body image plays a major role in our lives, and not just as kids. On today's episode we hear from Dr. Angela Mensah, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas.

Between the late 1800s through the 1970s, thousands of towns deemed themselves sundown towns to drive out Black populations from living in them, including Springdale. Trey Carlisle and Todd Mack are the co-creators of the Black Legacy Project, and came to discuss the project’s goals and how the roundtable impacted community members.

Between the late 1800s through the 1970s, thousands of towns deemed themselves sundown towns to drive out Black populations from living in them, including Springdale. Trey Carlisle and Todd Mack are the co-creators of the Black Legacy Project, and came to discuss the project’s goals and how the roundtable impacted community members.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences finds Black Arkansans who report experiencing racial discrimination in the criminal justice system also experienced higher levels of hesitancy when it comes to taking a COVID-19 vaccine.

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences finds Black Arkansans who report experiencing racial discrimination in the criminal justice system also experienced higher levels of hesitancy when it comes to taking a COVID-19 vaccine.

Johnathan Reaves, with our partner station KASU, concludes a three-part series about suicide and mental health.