September 19: Eden Cemetery

In this episode of the African American Experience we tour the historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, PA. Among the people interred at the cemetery are opera singer Marian Anderson, architect Julian Abele, abolitionist William Still and many others.

PA Books: “Harrisburg in World War II” with Rodney Ross

As the nation entered into the throes of World War II, Harrisburg was prepared to answer the call of service. Prideful as a “beehive of industry,” the city was a hub for wartime manufacturing, railroads and distribution. Bond drives attracted celebrities such as Abbott and Costello as locals enjoyed “Coffee MacArthur” and “Doughnuts Doolittle” for […]

September 5: “William Still” with William Kashatus

In the mid-1800s, William Still was a major figure in the Underground Railroad, civil rights activism, and the abolition movement in Philadelphia. Joining us to talk about the life of William Still is Bill Kashatus. He is the author of “William Still: The Underground Railroad and the Angel at Philadelphia.”    

August 29: “August Wilson” with Laurence Glasco

In this episode of the African American Experience we talk with Laurence Glasco about the life and plays of August Wilson. Wilson was a playwright born and raised in Pittsburgh. He is known for his Century Cycle of plays each of which takes place during a decade of the 20th century. Wilson’s plays were regularly […]

August 1: K. Leroy Irvis with Laurence Glasco

K. Leroy Irvis was the first African American elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He served as Speaker from 1977 to 1978 and then again from 1983 to 1988. He was first elected to the House in 1958 and served for 30 years. Joining us to talk about the life of K. […]

August 8: Octavius Catto with Murray Dubin & Daniel Biddle

On election day October 10, 1871, a 32-old African American man named Octavius Catto was murdered on the streets of Philadelphia. Catto was a teacher, militia officer, baseball player and civil rights activist. In this episode of the African American Experience, we talk with Daniel Biddle and Murray Dubin about the life of Octavius Catto. […]

PA Books: “Geography, Geology and Genius” with Martha Capwell Fox

This is the first book that tells the story of how a small slice of eastern Pennsylvania became the cradle of the American Industrial Revolution. Pennsylvania was America’s powerhouse in the nineteenth century, supplying the hot-burning, high-energy anthracite coal that ignited the iron and, later, steel industries that transformed the United States. This revolution began […]

July 25: Residential Segregation in Allentown

In the episode of the African American Experience, we talk to Wilberto Sicard about how state and local government policies contributed to residential segregation in Allentown and its impact on the city’s African American community. Sicard is a J.D. candidate at Yale Law School and the author of the paper “City with Limits: An Untold […]