Ralph Ellison, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction for his book "Invisible Man," discusses his early life and education and his life as a writer and lifetime scholar. He speaks on being a musician (trumpet), the joy of music and the Church and how they fit into the lives of African Americans.

Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."

Using the backdrop of James Baldwin's "Nobody Knows My Name" and Baldwin's feelings that Blacks were ashamed of where they came from, Terkel interviews Professor and Chairman of the Political Science Department of Roosevelt University on his book coauthored with Stokely Carmichael entitled" Black Power: Politics of Liberation in America". Hamilton states that Blacks were taught to hate themselves and leave school believing that. Institutional racism and the deliberate oppression it creates, holds blacks back. Blacks are left out of crucial decision making processes that concern them.

Dick Gregory satirizes capital punishment in the United States, calls for the churches to take action, and talks about potential actions from "demonstrators." Other panel members answer audience questions (Father James Jones, Norval Morris, Hans W. Mattick, and Arthur Wineberg). Hosted by the University of Chicago. (Part 3 of 3)

Part 1 of this program begins with Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from the book "Giants of Jazz" , which describes Dizzy Gillespie's early life. Gillespie discusses the following: the state of jazz; his fellow musicians; jazz contributors; jazz fundamentals; and his tours abroad. Gillespie's "Groovin' High" is played towards the end of this part of the program.

Studs Terkel presents a program in honor of the birthday of abolitionist and African American leader Frederick Douglass, including excepts from Terkel's 1964 interview with African-American scholar, author and social historian Lerone Bennett. Terkel reads at length from Douglass' autobiography, "My Bondage and My Freedom," focusing on Douglass' interactions with slave owners Hugh and Sophia Auld.

Discussing "Distortions of Negro History" and interviewing Lerone Bennett, Jr., John Hope Franklin and Hoyt Fuller.

Interviewing civil rights activist Edwin C. "Bill" Berry. Part 1.

Interviewing civil rights activist Edwin C. "Bill" Berry. Part 2

William Bradford Huie discusses his novel The Klansman. Includes recordings of interviews from Rev. Paschal Carlton, an unknown Alabama cab driver, and an unknown woman of Birmingham, Alabama. Includes songs "Be A Man, Join the Klan," and "Move Them Niggers North."

A panel of women discuss raising their families while getting welfare assistance and living in poverty in Chicago.

Residents of Selma, Alabama discuss Selma to Montgomery March (part 2 of 2). Includes interviews of Bishop Anderson, Father [Denston] and Mr. Carlton.

Writer and poet Maya Angelou talks about her life, Creole influences, and her book “Gather Together in My Name” with Studs Terkel. Angelou reads an excerpt from the book and the recording opens with Angelou reading one of her poems.