In “The Case for Reparations,” Ta-Nehisi Coates examines the historical and ongoing economic injustices faced by Black Americans, from slavery through Jim Crow and discriminatory housing policies, arguing that reparations are a necessary step to address the lasting legacy of systemic racism in the United States.

To celebrate the release of “A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance,” New York Times bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib joined artist Dionne Custer Edwards, composer Dr. Mark Lomax II, and musician Paisha Thomas on Zoom to discuss influential performances by Black artists in American history. Each speaker shared a personally meaningful video, book, or song, followed by a Q&A.

Washington Post journalist Laura Meckler visited the Bexley Public Library to discuss her book “Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity.” She explored whether well-intentioned communities can achieve true racial integration, sharing Shaker Heights’ successes and challenges as a potential model for communities like Bexley, in conversation with Kumi Walker.

How should the U.S. address problems of violent policing? As a nation, we may be asking the police to do certain things that they shouldn't, says Ta-Nehisi Coates. The Atlantic correspondent offers his PBS Newshour Brief But Spectacular take on the legacy of white supremacy in America today.

In this Washington Post Live video, Clint Smith discusses his travels to nine sites—from Monticello in Virginia to the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana—to explore how slavery is remembered. Drawing from his book How the Word Is Passed, he reflects on “those telling the truth, those running from it, and those doing something in between” and shares the lessons he learned about confronting America’s history of slavery.

In this TED Talk, poet Clint Smith reflects on a childhood memory of playing with water guns in a dark parking lot with his white friends, capturing his father’s fearful and furious reaction. Through this story, Smith explores how early lessons about race and safety shape our understanding of the world.

Act.tv explores how systemic racism affects every area of life in the US. From incarceration rates to predatory loans–solving these problems requires changes in major parts of our system. Here's a closer look at what systemic racism is, and how we can solve it.

This TED-Ed explains that U.S. cities remain racially divided because past discriminatory housing policies—like racial covenants that barred people of color from buying or renting in many neighborhoods and redlining that cut off investment to Black communities—created deeply entrenched patterns of segregation and unequal access to wealth and opportunity. Even after legal bans like the Fair Housing Act, the legacy of these practices continues to shape where people live and how resources are distributed.

Roots of racial disparities are seen through a new lens in this PBS film that explores the origins of housing segregation in the Minneapolis area. But the story also illustrates how African-American families and leaders resisted this insidious practice, and how Black people built community within and despite the red lines that these restrictive covenants created.

The video explains how redlining and discriminatory housing policies systematically blocked Black Americans from mortgages and investment, creating lasting segregation and economic disparities that persist today.

In 1968, Congress passed the Fair Housing Act, outlawing discrimination in housing—but neighborhoods remain highly segregated. Gene Demby of NPR’s Code Switch explores why this legacy endures today.

Extra History dives into how redlining systematically denied mortgages and investment to Black and minority neighborhoods, shaping patterns of segregation and economic inequality in the U.S. It breaks down the historical roots of these practices, shows how they helped build wealth disparities that persist today, and explains why the legacy of redlining still matters for communities and housing policy.

Adam Ruins Everything explains how suburban development in the U.S. was shaped by racist housing policies like redlining, which systematically denied mortgage loans and investment to neighborhoods with Black residents. It shows how these discriminatory practices, backed by government programs and lenders, helped build and preserve segregated suburbs and contributed to long‑term inequality in access to wealth and opportunity.

Baratunde Thurston explores how everyday actions—like eating, walking, or simply existing—can lead to police calls on Black Americans. In this sharp, funny, and thought-provoking TED Talk, he shows how language can turn trauma into healing and challenges us to rise to the moment.

In this TED Talk, Mellody Hobson urges us to be “color brave” rather than color blind, arguing that openly discussing race—especially in hiring and workplace diversity—strengthens businesses and builds a more inclusive society.

In her powerful TED Talk, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares how she discovered her authentic cultural voice and the importance of embracing multiple perspectives. She warns that if we rely on a single story about a person, community, or country, we risk misunderstanding and stereotyping. This talk encourages reflection on the richness of diverse experiences and the stories that shape our understanding of the world..

Redlining was a discriminatory banking practice that denied Black and Brown Americans access to home loans and investment, deeming their neighborhoods “undesirable.” Although outlawed by the Fair Housing Act, its impacts persist today. In this video, Khalil Gibran Muhammad of Harvard Kennedy School explains the history and lasting legacy of redlining.

A joyful picture book celebrating the tradition of Black barbershops. It captures the confidence and pride that come with a fresh haircut, highlighting the cultural significance of this space.

A powerful picture book honoring Black history and resilience. Through lyrical poetry and striking illustrations, it pays tribute to past and present Black figures who have shaped history.

A novel about Donte, a biracial boy facing racism at his prep school. He turns to fencing to prove himself and challenge prejudice. The book explores identity, colorism, and perseverance.