Lift Every Voice

Black Swan Records was first to record the anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing." From a family's Thanksgiving dinner, we portal through to the song's past, present, and future. The Vanishing of Harry Pace was created and produced by Shima Oliaee and Jad Abumrad. This series was produced in collaboration with author Kiese Laymon, scholar Imani Perry, writer Cord Jefferson, WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, and WNYC's Jami Floyd. Based on the book "Black Swan Blues: the Hard Rise and Brutal Fall of America’s First Black Owned Record Label" by Paul Slade. Featuring interviews with Pace's descendants and more than 40 musicians, historians, writers, and musicologists, all of whom grapple with Pace’s enduring legacy. Thank you to young Miles Francis and his family for bringing our Thanksgiving scene to life. This episode features the book "May We Forever Stand" written by Imani Perry, all about the Black National Anthem.