A Black History Month Special: “Memories of the Movement”

The years of the civil rights movement are counted among the most volatile, yet vibrant, in American history. In this Black History Month special, "Memories of the Movement," we celebrate the courage, conviction and commitment of the everyday people who made extraordinary contributions to American social progress. "Memories of the Movement" features poignant, humorous, unheard, or little-known stories from a number of well-known civil rights icons. These are the voices you'll hear in this special podcast:

Segment One

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski: Alabama native and current president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County recalls how he became a child leader in the movement. Danny Glover: Award-winning actor connects his own emergence as an activist to bearing witness to the movement. Eleanor Holmes Norton: The D.C. member of Congress was part of the movement’s most turbulent days as a young law student in Mississippi.

Segment Two

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.: Rainbow/Push Coalition founder recalls the events that led him to take a pivotal role in the movement. Dr. Raye Richardson: Owner of the nation’s oldest surviving Black bookstore recalls her struggles against segregation. Yuri Kochiyama: Activist remembers the fear and excitement she experienced when meeting Malcolm X. Rep. John Lewis: Civil rights hero remembers the fight he helped wage for the Voting Rights Act and the struggle’s renewed significance today.

Segment Three

Dorothy Tillman: Former student organizer recalls the climate that led her to join the movement. Robert Graetz: One of the few white Christian ministers tied to the movement recalls his friendship with Rosa Parks. Harry Belafonte: Legendary actor and close confidante to Dr. King recalls his friend’s sense of humor amid the turmoil. Andrew Young: Former ambassador and King associate recalls meeting with President Lyndon Johnson in the days before the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Elizabeth Eckford and Jefferson Thomas: As youngsters, they helped integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., as part of the famous “Little Rock Nine”. Dick Gregory: Legendary comedian says the courage of the men and women who were active in the movement is no laughing matter.

Segment Four

Ruby Dee: The legendary actress recalls the deep friendship she and husband Ossie Davis had with Malcolm X. Arun Gandhi: The Mahatma’s grandson remembers Dr. King’s visit, as well as one special night when the civil rights icon slept in a museum to better prepare for the struggle back home. Clarence Jones: Dr. King’s personal attorney shares the story of how he joined the movement at the behest of Dr. King.

Segment Five

Xernona Clayton: The events coordinator and close friend of Dr. and Mrs. King recounts the one time she believes Dr. King was actually afraid for his life. Dr. Gardner C. Taylor: Dr. King’s mentor and confidante remembers the debates the pair had over the limits of non-violence. Hillary Clinton: The former secretary of state, U.S. senator, and now presidential candidate reflects on meeting Dr. King as a child. Rev. Amos Brown: Mississippi native recalls how segregation often led to dangerous confrontations.

Segment Six

Earl Caldwell:Former reporter for The New York Times tells about the peculiar instructions he got from his editors when covering Dr. King. Marian Wright Edelman:The children’s advocate, who got her start in the civil rights movement, recalls her harrowing first visit to Mississippi. Taylor Rogers:Former sanitation worker remembers the pivotal strike and ensuing violence that brought Dr. King to Memphis in 1968. C.T. Vivian:Close friend and lieutenant recalls the many times that tested Dr. King’s commitment to non-violence.