Author and poet Gloria Wade-Gayles discusses and reads from her book “Pushed Back to Strength: A Black Woman’s Journey Home,” a collection of essays about race, faith, and family. She discusses how the title of the book was inspired by a phrase her grandmother used to say in which she acknowledges how segregation was pushing her back to her family, to community; pushing her back to strength, stories, ritual, and safety. Studs plays “God Bless the Child” - Billie Holiday (1956), "Wade In The Water" - Brother John Sellers (1960), and "Medley of Spiritual" - Belleville A Cappella Choir.

Using a Trobriand drum and harmonica, Ella Jenkins plays examples of call and response music with Studs. A few of her popular songs play between their discussion. Ella explains how her music came to be from the Chicago neighborhood streets with influences from her Uncle and other blues and folk musicians. Songs played include "Tahboo," "Miss Mary Mack," "You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song," "Come Dance By the Ocean," and "Dulce." Songs have been removed due to copyright restrictions.