25 episodes

We live in the age of information, but how often do we think about what has been lost—or nearly lost? From memories left on discarded machines to the voices of ancestors trapped on obsolete media, we are losing parts of human history each day.

In theme-based seasons, Material Memory explores the effects of our changing environment—such as digital technologies, the climate crisis, or global human displacement—on our ability to access the record of our shared humanity, and the critical role that libraries, archives, museums, and other public institutions play in keeping cultural memory alive.

Material Memory CLIR

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 19 Ratings

We live in the age of information, but how often do we think about what has been lost—or nearly lost? From memories left on discarded machines to the voices of ancestors trapped on obsolete media, we are losing parts of human history each day.

In theme-based seasons, Material Memory explores the effects of our changing environment—such as digital technologies, the climate crisis, or global human displacement—on our ability to access the record of our shared humanity, and the critical role that libraries, archives, museums, and other public institutions play in keeping cultural memory alive.

    Cradle of Student Protest

    Cradle of Student Protest

    Travel to Nashville, Tennessee, “the cradle of student protest,” to learn about Fisk University’s activist legacy–from the Jubilee Singers in the 1800s to the sit-ins of the 1960s to Black Lives Matter today.

    • 38 min
    Sankofa

    Sankofa

    Travel to the Lowcountry of South Carolina to learn about the Mather School, founded after the Civil War to serve the newly freed, and the Gullah Geechee people, whose traditional way of life is threatened by gentrification.

    • 31 min
    By Actions and Not by Words

    By Actions and Not by Words

    Dive into Tuskegee University’s vast collections, from the notebooks of George Washington Carver to archival speeches from luminaries Myrlie Evers, Shirley Chisholm, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali.

    • 34 min
    If Walls Could Talk

    If Walls Could Talk

    Learn about Alcorn State University student life–and civil rights protests–in the 1960s, and how a community-centered approach to librarianship has made Alcorn indispensable to the people of Lorman, MS.

    • 30 min
    Walking on Sacred Ground

    Walking on Sacred Ground

    Morgan State University archivist Ida E. Jones discusses the history of Maryland's largest HBCU and how it is deeply entwined with the history of Black politics, activism, and media, particularly in Baltimore.

    • 32 min
    Cadence to the Rhythm of Life

    Cadence to the Rhythm of Life

    Kofi Amu Horne, who created the theme music for this season, started drumming with his Ghanaian mother before he was two. Here, he talks about drumming as a spiritual practice and its importance to the African diaspora.

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

eceturnator ,

A must listen

Amazingly rich episodes. Appealing both to the intellect and the emotions. A true gem.

Prettygirllovinlife ,

Great!

The focus of the new season is HBCU’s and as an HBCU grad I love it! Sharon Burney does an excellent job uncovering the history of places that have often been overlooked. So needed!

MowgIi ,

Compelling and informative

Really enjoyed learning about such an interesting intersection between cultural memory and climate change. Keep up the good work!

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