Black Is America OWLS, LLC

How did Black America create Memorial Day?  In this special episode of the Black Is America podcast, we explore the little-known story of recently enslaved citizens of Charleston, South Carolina, honored Union soldiers.  In doing so, they inadvertently create a holiday we celebrate today.
In this episode, you will hear:
How the Charlestonians honored the Union Soldiers Who was given credit for creating Memorial Day How South Carolina has acknowledged what happened on May 1, 1865.  Yale professor David W. Blight is featured in this episode. His audio is courtesy of The New York Historical Society and Yale University. 
This episode was also created due to sources from The Root.com, History.com, and Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ. 
 

How does one compete in NASCAR while facing discrimination? 
In this episode of the Black Is America podcast, we chronicle the life of NASCAR legend Wendell Scott. The Danville, Virginia native goes from the bootlegging on the back roads of the Commonwealth to extraordinary heights of stock car racing. Even though Scott would never have a significant sponsor, he would still compete against the best in NASCAR. 
In this episode, you will hear:
A brief history of Danville, Virginia Why the story of Wendell Scott mirrors the story of NASCAR Two pivotal moments in Wendell's Scott Career Why Wendell Scott served as his mechanic About Wendell Scott's success as a driver and owner Notable figures mentioned in this episode:
Marshall Major Taylor
The Texas Western Starting 5
Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. 
Willy T. Ribbs
Bill Lester
Michael Jordan
John Cohen
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Brad Daugherty
Sir Lewis Hamilton 

How does one become a musical legend?
In the conclusion of Marian Anderson: The American Contralto, we chronicle Marian's journey through Europe as she is called "the voice of the century." After a successful trip to Europe and being met with resistance to perform at Consitution Hall, it led to a concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Later we talk to Charlie Edmunds about her experience teaching music in East Tennessee and a new program she is creating to expose more students to learn how to play black music.
In this episode, you will hear:
What Marian needed in Europe and how Roland Hayes helped The type of money Marian was making at her peak. The origin of the Nuremberg Race Laws and how they affected Marian Why Marian was not able to perform at Constitution Hall A significant song she performed at the Lincoln Memorial  Notable figures mentioned in this episode:
Roland Hayes
Katherine Mary Dunham
Walter White

What does it take to be the best to do it? 
In Part 1 of this Black Is America podcast presentation, we chronicle the story of the great American contralto Marian Anderson. We discuss her early singing experiences in church, the power and emotion of the Negro spiritual, and why what Black America creates is often hard to duplicate.
In this episode, you will hear:
About Marian's upbringing Why the church is essential to the African American community The cheat code embedded in the black community About H.T. Burleigh and the art of the Negro spiritual Why did Marian Anderson go to Europe And so much more

What does it take to make the ultimate sacrifice?
In the first episode of the Black Is America podcast, we learn the story of Lt. John Fox. From very humble beginnings in the Cincinnati area to courageous actions in the Italian theater, John Fox is an excellent example of Black America displaying bravery on the battlefield in the face of discrimination. 
In this episode, you will hear: 
Where John Fox grew up More about the village of Sommocolonia How his life was building towards his actions on Dec. 26th, 1944 Understand more about the famous 366th Infantry Regiment Why Captain Aaron Fisher was important in John Fox's military career. Why John Fox was worthy of the Medal of Honor And so much more

Black Is America Podcast creator Dominic Lawson explains why he created the show and what you can come to expect from Season 1. It also includes a clip from the very first episode.