This episode of Women and Resistance celebrates Roberta Flack’s life, music, and political commitments through a wide-ranging conversation that moves from childhood to global activism. Adesoji Iginla frames Flack as an artist who never separated art from justice, and Aya embodies Flack, responding with stories about music, teaching, love, and the causes she backed throughout her career. We discuss how her family, education, and early work as a teacher shaped the artist she became, as well as the songs and collaborations that made her a legend. The conversation also highlights her resistance work on Black self-determination, gender, anti-apartheid solidarity, and music education. Takeaways *Roberta Flack traces her roots to Black Mountain, North Carolina, and remembers the family home where music was everywhere. *Her father, Lauron, was a self-taught jazz pianist, while her mother, Irene, played organ at church. *Flack recalls the pea green upright piano her father rescued from a junkyard and repaired for her. *She explains how classical training led her to Howard University, where she won a full music scholarship at age 15 and graduated at 19 with a degree in music education. *Before fame, she was a schoolteacher in segregated schools in Farmville, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. *She shares how singing at Mr Henry’s on Capitol Hill led to her discovery and first record deal. *Flack explains why her 1969 debut album, First Take, opened with the protest song “Compared to What.” *She reflects on “Ballad of the Sad Young Men” as a lament for the hidden lives of gay men before Stonewall. *She tells the story behind “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and how Clint Eastwood helped bring it to a wider audience. *She discusses her back-to-back Grammy wins for Record of the Year. *She talks about her collaboration with Donny Hathaway, including “Where Is the Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” and “Be Real Black for Me.” *Flack recounts her activism with Jesse Jackson, Operation Breadbasket, and Operation PUSH. *She emphasises that music is never neutral and that every performance is a choice about the world an artist helps create. *She remembers her friendships and solidarity with Angela Davis, Stevie Wonder, Ben Vereen, Nelson Mandela, and others. *She highlights her work in education and philanthropy, including the Roberta Flack School of Music and the Roberta Flack Foundation. *She closes with reflections on ALS, the loss of her singing voice, and her children’s picture book. *The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, and her advice to use your gift before it is too late. Chapters 00:00 - Welcome to Women and Resistance and the legacy of Roberta Flack 03:22 - A musical household in Black Mountain, North Carolina 05:24 - The pea green piano rescued from a junkyard 07:10 - Classical training, Howard University, and music education 09:48 - Teaching in segregated schools before fame 12:48 - Singing at Mr Henry’s and being discovered 13:17 - An interracial marriage under Virginia segregation 16:02 - Why the marriage ended when her career took off 18:17 - Hearing “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” on a plane 22:33 - Les McCann, Atlantic Records, and First Take 23:28 - Why her debut album opened with “Compared to What” 26:31 - Reinterpreting “Ballad of the Sad Young Men” for hidden queer lives 30:03 - Clint Eastwood brings “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to the screen 32:24 - Back-to-back Record of the Year Grammy wins 35:33 - Donny Hathaway, “The Closer I Get to You,” and “Be Real Black for Me” 40:09 - Operation Breadbasket, Jesse Jackson, and Operation PUSH 43:14 - Music as a form of political choice 44:16 - Friendship with Angela Davis and songs that affirm dignity 45:58 - Standing with Stevie Wonder and Nelson Mandela 48:19 - “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” and later collaborations 49:55 - The Roberta Flack School of Music and her foundation 52:51 - Awards, honours, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame absence 56:23 - Hosting Brunch with Roberta Flack and recording into her 70s 57:31 - ALS, her final recording, and the lesson to use your gift now 58:53 - The Green Piano and the final years of her life 60:35 - Closing reflections on a life fully lived and shared Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Women and Resistance, a powerful podcast where we honour the courage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of women across the globe. Hosted by Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla... You're listening to Women and Resistance with Aya Fubara Eneli Esq and Adesoji Iginla—where we honour the voices of women who have shaped history through courage and defiance...Now, back to the conversation. That’s it for this episode of Women and Resistance. Thank you for joining us in amplifying the voices of women who challenge injustice and change the course of history. Be sure to subscribe, share, and continue the conversation. Together We Honour the past, act in the present, and shape the future. Until next time, stay inspired and stay in resistance!
