Defending Our Stories: Inside Black Public Media with Leslie Fields-Cruz (Part 2)

The History They Didn't Teach Us | The Birth of the NAACP

🎙️ EPISODE 20 THE HISTORY THEY DIDN'T TEACH US | THE BIRTH OF THE NAACP What really happened in Springfield, Illinois, in 1908? How did one of the darkest moments in American history lead to the birth of the NAACP? And why does that history still matter today? In this episode of Our Truth. Our History. Our Story., Rita Coburn travels to Springfield, Illinois, to explore the events surrounding the 1908 Springfield Race Riot, the birth of the NAACP, and the enduring legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois. Along the way, she reflects on hearing Nikole Hannah-Jones speak at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and examines why journalists, historians, and truth tellers remain essential to our democracy. History isn't simply about the past. It's about the choices we make today, the stories we choose to tell, and the future we're building together. In This Episode * The 1908 Springfield Race Riot and why it changed America * How the violence in Springfield led to the birth of the NAACP * W.E.B. Du Bois and the creation of The Crisis magazine * Why Springfield remains one of the most important civil rights landmarks in American history * Rita's visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum * Reflections after hearing Nikole Hannah-Jones speak about Juneteenth and American history * Why supporting journalists, historians, and independent voices matters * How history helps us understand our present and shape our future Featured People * W.E.B. Du Bois * Ida B. Wells * Nikole Hannah-Jones * Abraham Lincoln Featured Locations * Springfield, Illinois * Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum * Historic sites of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Books Mentioned * The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois * Black Reconstruction in America by W.E.B. Du Bois * The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones Links & Resources 📺 Watch This Episode https://youtu.be/54Hclvda674 [https://youtu.be/54Hclvda674] 🎙 Our Truth. Our History. Our Story Podcast https://www.ritacoburn.com/ths-podcast [https://www.ritacoburn.com/ths-podcast] 🎬 W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause https://www.ritacoburn.com/web-du-bois [https://www.ritacoburn.com/web-du-bois] ▶️ Watch the Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM&rco=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM&rco=1] 📚 Nikole Hannah-Jones https://www.nikolehannahjones.com/ [https://www.nikolehannahjones.com/] Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode: * Subscribe to Our Truth. Our History. Our Story. * Follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform. * Leave a review. It helps others discover the show. * Share this episode with someone who wants to better understand American history. * Join the conversation in the comments. Join the Conversation What part of American history do you think we weren't taught, and why does it matter today? History belongs to all of us. And what we do with that history will shape the generations that follow. I'm Rita Coburn. Thanks for listening to Our Truth. Our History. Our Story. 🎬 About the Series Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, the series features conversations and reflections that connect our past to the present while inspiring a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. 👥 Production Credits Host: Rita Coburn Executive Producer: Andrew T. Carr Producers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee Whack Produced by RCW Media Productions, Inc. © 2026 RCW Media Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

America 250, Juneteenth & the Obama Presidential Center | Reframing Independence

🎙️ EPISODE 19 America 250: Juneteenth & the Obama Presidential Center | Reframing Independence As America begins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it's worth asking a deeper question: What does independence mean—and who was included in it? In this episode of Our Truth, Our History, Our Story, Rita Coburn reflects on America's founding through the lens of African American history. From the symbolism of Juneteenth and the delayed freedom of June 19, 1865, to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Rita explores how our understanding of freedom continues to evolve. Drawing on history, current events, and her own experiences attending the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, Rita challenges listeners to think beyond celebration and toward responsibility. She reminds us that history belongs to all of us—and that preserving it requires action. This episode is an invitation to celebrate America's progress while embracing the fuller truth of our shared history and our ongoing work toward equality. 🔍 What You'll Hear in This Episode * Why America's 250th anniversary deserves a broader historical perspective * The relationship between July 4, 1776, and Juneteenth * Why the Declaration of Independence was adopted before the Revolutionary War was won * The significance of June 19, 1865, and General Order No. 3 * Reflections from the opening of the Obama Presidential Center * Michelle Obama's message of dignity, hope, and leadership * Why history must continually be reframed as new voices are included * The role of Black historians, journalists, and storytellers in preserving truth * Why supporting institutions like the NAACP and the Obama Presidential Center matters * How reading, learning, and civic engagement become acts of freedom 🧠 Key Themes * America 250 * Declaration of Independence * Juneteenth * July 4th * Obama Presidential Center * Barack Obama * Michelle Obama * Black history * W.E.B. Du Bois * NAACP * Civic engagement * Historical truth * Democracy * Hope * Freedom * Belonging 💬 A Defining Idea from This Episode "We can celebrate America's independence while also telling the fuller truth about who was—and wasn't—free." Understanding history isn't about diminishing the past. It's about expanding our understanding of it so that everyone can see themselves in the American story. 🇺🇸 Join the Conversation As America marks its 250th anniversary, how are you choosing to celebrate? What does freedom mean to you today? How has learning more about Black history changed your understanding of America's story? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #OurTHS. History becomes richer when more voices are part of the conversation. 📣 Resources / Links Watch THS episode https://youtu.be/eu5WXFg87FA  Learn more about the Obama Presidential Center https://www.obama.org/presidential-center/ [https://www.obama.org/presidential-center/] Learn more about the NAACP https://naacp.org [https://naacp.org/] Watch: Stacey Abrams, Errin Haines, Tressie McMillan Cottom, and others discuss July 4, 2026, as a Declaration of Belonging https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ8dVYOCVCD/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ8dVYOCVCD/] Read the Declaration of Independence https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript [https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript] Learn more about Juneteenth https://nmaahc.si.edu [https://nmaahc.si.edu/] Watch W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/ [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/] Watch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240 [https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240] Listen to the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes] Transcript available here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323] Stay connected with Rita Coburn https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia [https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia] Upcoming events and screenings https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events [https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events] Download event photos https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos [https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos] Social Media Toolkit https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit [https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit] 📚 Suggested Reading If this episode inspires you to explore America's history through a broader lens, here are a few books I recommend: 📚 The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story — Nikole Hannah-Jones 📚 The Souls of Black Folk — W.E.B. Du Bois 📚 Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul — Eddie S. Glaude Jr. 📚 Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own — Eddie S. Glaude Jr. 📚 The Battle for the Black Mind — Karida L. Brown 📚 The New Brownies' Book: A Love Letter to Black Families — Charly Palmer & Karida L. Brown Your local library is one of the best places to begin. Reading broadly and supporting Black authors, historians, and journalists is one of the most meaningful ways we can preserve, deepen, and share our understanding of history. 🎬 About the Series Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, the series features conversations and reflections that connect our past to the present while inspiring a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. 👥 Production Credits Host: Rita Coburn Executive Producer: Andrew T. Carr Producers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee Whack Produced by RCW Media Productions, Inc. © 2026 RCW Media Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Father's Day: A Reflection on Black Fathers, Grace, and Love

🎙️ Episode 18 Father's Day: A Reflection on Black Fathers, Grace, and Love Father's Day can bring celebration, gratitude, longing, grief, and complicated emotions—all at the same time. In this special Father's Day episode of Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS), Rita Coburn reflects on the enduring love, sacrifice, and resilience of Black fathers through history. Inspired by Paul Laurence Dunbar's beloved poem Little Brown Baby, Rita explores the historical realities that shaped Black fatherhood—from enslavement and Reconstruction to the Great Migration, the Memphis Sanitation Strike, and the challenges many families continue to navigate today. Drawing from her own memories of her father, Rita offers a deeply personal reflection on grace, forgiveness, and the humanity of fathers who did the best they could under extraordinary circumstances. This episode is an invitation to honor the fathers who nurtured us, remember those we've lost, and extend compassion where relationships remain unfinished. At its heart, this is a conversation about family, history, healing, and love. 🔍 What You'll Hear in This Episode * Paul Laurence Dunbar's Little Brown Baby * Maya Angelou's influence and love of poetry * The historical realities of Black fatherhood in America * Why fathers were separated from their families during enslavement * The Memphis Sanitation Strike and the meaning of "I Am A Man" * The impact of welfare policies on Black families * Rita's personal memories of her father * The importance of grace and forgiveness * What fathers teach us—through both their strengths and imperfections * Why honoring our parents is also honoring our history 🧠 Key Themes * Father's Day * Black fathers * Family legacy * Paul Laurence Dunbar * Little Brown Baby * Maya Angelou * Grace and forgiveness * Black history * Great Migration * Civil Rights Movement * Family * Healing * Love * Storytelling 💬 A Defining Idea from This Episode "Our fathers are human beings who walk into the room with all of their good and all of their bad." Understanding history allows us to extend grace—not to excuse hurt, but to recognize the burdens many fathers carried while still striving to love their families. ❤️ Join the Conversation This Father's Day, I'd love to hear from you. What is one lesson your father—or a father figure—gave you that still shapes your life today? If your relationship with your father has been difficult, what has helped you find healing, understanding, or peace? Share your reflections in the comments or on social media using #OurTHS. Your story may encourage someone else. 📣 Resources / Links Read "Little Brown Baby" by Paul Laurence Dunbar https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44197/little-brown-baby [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44197/little-brown-baby] Read "Song for the Old Ones" by Maya Angelou https://allpoetry.com/poem/14326519-Song-for-the-Old-Ones-by-Maya-Angelou Maya Angelou and Common perform an excerpt from "Song for the Old Ones" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8pLATICKq8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8pLATICKq8]  Watch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240 [https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240] Watch this episode https://youtu.be/pqs92fnRRl0  Transcript available here  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323] Stay connected with Rita Coburn  https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia [https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia] Upcoming events and screenings  https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events [https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events] Download event photos  https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos [https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos] Social Media Toolkit  https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit [https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit] 🎬 About the Series Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, the series features conversations and reflections that connect our past to the present while inspiring a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. 👥 Production Credits Host: Rita Coburn Executive Producer: Andrew T. Carr Producers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee Whack Produced by RCW Media Productions, Inc. © 2026 RCW Media Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Taking W.E.B. Du Bois to LightReel Film Festival | Why Festivals Still Matter

Taking W.E.B. Du Bois to LightReel Film Festival | Why Festivals Still Matter What makes film festivals so important—for filmmakers, audiences, and the future of storytelling? In this special field episode of Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS), award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn takes listeners along to Washington, D.C.'s LightReel Film Festival, where W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause screened as the Closing Night Film. From airport departures and festival venues to conversations with filmmakers, audiences, and festival founder Tim Gordon, Rita shares an inside look at the role film festivals play in building community, launching careers, and creating opportunities for stories to be seen. Along the way, she offers practical advice to an emerging filmmaker, reflects on the enduring relevance of W.E.B. Du Bois, and explains why film festivals remain one of the most important spaces for independent filmmakers and film lovers alike. In This Episode * Traveling from Chicago to Washington, D.C. for the LightReel Film Festival * Meeting festival founder Tim Gordon * Exploring the Union Market District and festival atmosphere * Why every film festival has its own personality and purpose * Practical filmmaking advice for emerging storytellers * The importance of networking, mentorship, and audience engagement * Rita's post-screening conversation about the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois * Why film festivals are essential for filmmakers seeking audiences and opportunities * How festivals expose audiences to stories from around the world Key Moments 00:00 – Heading to Washington, D.C. for the LightReel Film Festival 01:32 – Meeting festival founder Tim Gordon 01:49 – What makes film festivals unique 03:10 – Advice for an aspiring filmmaker 04:08 – Audience Q&A: The enduring legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois 05:42 – Exploring the Union Market District 05:58 – Why film festivals matter for filmmakers 07:20 – Rita's recommendation for filmmakers and film lovers 08:05 – Closing reflections on storytelling and media Memorable Quote "Film festivals are for the filmmakers first and foremost. Otherwise there would be some films that would never have an audience." 📣 Resources / Links Watch W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause on American Masters https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/ [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/] Watch the W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM] Learn more about Kathryn Bostic https://www.kathrynbostic.com [https://www.kathrynbostic.com/] Watch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240 [https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240] Listen to the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes] Transcript available here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323] Stay connected with Rita Coburn https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia [https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia] Upcoming events and screenings https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events [https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events] Download event photos https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos [https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos] Social Media Toolkit https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit [https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit] Featured Film W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With a Cause Written, Produced & Directed by Rita Coburn About Our THS Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling today. Through conversations with artists, scholars, filmmakers, historians, and changemakers, the series uncovers the stories that inspire, challenge, and connect us. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, Our THS creates space for meaningful conversations about history, culture, creativity, and the stories that define who we are. Connect & Subscribe Subscribe for new episodes and conversations exploring history, culture, creativity, and storytelling. If you enjoy the podcast, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join us for future episodes of Our Truth, Our History, Our Story. YouTube Music by Damien Sebe - vintage - https://thmatc.co/?l=643AC1F9 [https://thmatc.co/?l=643AC1F9]

Kathryn Bostic: Music Is Conversation | The Art of Film Scoring (Part 2)

🎙️ Episode 16 Kathryn Bostic: Music Is Conversation | The Art of Film Scoring (Part 2) What does music reveal about a people, a movement, or a moment in history? In Part 2 of Rita Coburn's conversation with acclaimed composer Kathryn Bostic, the discussion moves beyond film scoring into the deeper emotional and spiritual dimensions of music. Kathryn reflects on the power of spirituals, the role of the human voice as a vehicle for healing and release, and how music carries the memory, resilience, and aspirations of generations. Drawing from her work scoring W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause, Kathryn shares how composers balance inspiration and tension, emotion and restraint, while helping audiences connect with history through sound. The conversation explores Du Bois's relationship to music, the cultural significance of spirituals, the evolution of Black musical traditions, and the artistic choices that shape a documentary's emotional landscape. Rita and Kathryn also discuss family legacy, the influence of Kathryn's mother and generations of women musicians in her family, and the responsibility artists have to preserve history through storytelling. At its heart, this episode is a conversation about truth, memory, and the ways music helps us understand who we are. 🔍 What You'll Hear in This Episode * The emotional and historical significance of Negro spirituals * Why Kathryn describes spirituals as visceral expressions of hope, faith, and resilience * Music as healing, release, and emotional cleansing * Du Bois's relationship to spirituals, classical music, and jazz * How composers balance tension, triumph, and historical context * The challenge of scoring pivotal moments in history * What "stems" are and how they are used in documentary filmmaking * The collaboration between composer, music editor, and director * Kathryn's musical upbringing and family legacy * The influence of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother * The responsibility of artists to preserve culture and history * Why storytelling remains essential to understanding ourselves and our communities 🧠 Key Themes * Kathryn Bostic * Film scoring * Documentary filmmaking * Spirituals * Black music traditions * W.E.B. Du Bois * Music and memory * Historical storytelling * Black history * Cultural preservation * Family legacy * Creative process * Music as healing * Truth-telling through art 💬 A Defining Idea from This Episode "Music is conversation." Music does more than accompany a story—it responds, remembers, questions, comforts, and inspires. Through spirituals, scores, and song, music becomes a conversation across generations, carrying both our struggles and our hopes forward. 🎵 Join the Conversation After listening to this episode and watching W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause, we'd love to hear from you. How did Kathryn Bostic's music shape your experience of the film? Were there moments when the score helped you better understand Du Bois, the emotions of a scene, or the history being told? Share your thoughts in the comments on YouTube or on social media using #OurTHS. Tell us: * What scene's music stayed with you the longest? * How does music help you connect with history? * Do you agree that "music is conversation"? * What role does music play in documentary storytelling? * What family traditions or artistic legacies have been passed down to you? Your insights help us continue the conversation about history, culture, and the power of storytelling. 📣 Resources / Links Watch W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause on American Masters https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/ [https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/w-e-b-du-bois-documentary/34807/] Watch the W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMsik6rDQM] Learn more about Kathryn Bostic https://www.kathrynbostic.com [https://www.kathrynbostic.com] Watch Our Truth, Our History, Our Story on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240 [https://www.youtube.com/@ritacoburn9240] Listen to the podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323/episodes] Transcript available here https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2598323] Stay connected with Rita Coburn https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia [https://linktr.ee/ritacoburnmedia] Upcoming events and screenings https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events [https://www.ritacoburn.com/upcoming-events] Download event photos https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos [https://www.ritacoburn.com/event-photos] Social Media Toolkit https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit [https://www.ritacoburn.com/social-media-tool-kit] 🎬 About the Series Our Truth, Our History, Our Story (Our THS) explores the people, ideas, and cultural forces shaping Black history and storytelling today. Through conversations with artists, scholars, filmmakers, historians, and changemakers, the series uncovers the stories that inspire, challenge, and connect us. Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Rita Coburn, Our THS creates space for meaningful conversations about history, culture, creativity, and the stories that define who we are. Each episode invites listeners to engage with the people preserving our collective memory and shaping our future. 👥 Production Credits Host: Rita Coburn Executive Producer: Andrew T. Carr Producers: Christine Coburn Whack, H. Lee Whack Produced by RCW Media Productions, Inc. © 2026 RCW Media Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.