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.

Angelou discusses her book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and recites "When I Think About Myself." She talks about growing up in Stamps, Arkansas, and her family. Copyrighted material has been removed.

Angelou discusses: her early life; her international travels; dancing; blues and jazz music; and the book "Youngblood" by John Oliver Killens. Musical selections have been removed due to copyright.

Studs Terkel interviews writer Toni Morrison. This interview begins with a reading from the book, "Sula" by Morrison Morrison continues to read excerpts from her novel "Sula" and discusses her literature.

Composer and Pulitzer Prize winner for music Anthony Davis discusses his latest work focusing on the topic of the life and assassination of Malcolm X.

The military's attitude toward gay people is what's covered in Allan Berube's book, "Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War II." For some people, hiding their true identity was necessary because they would have been discharged by the military.

Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.

Erroll Garner, jazz pianist, talks about his music style and his career. He explains how he taught himself to play and how he creates new music. He continues to explain his unique style and how it compares to other jazz musicians.

When the announcement was made, to let the audience know the opera singer they came to see would not be performing but that Martina Arroyo would be singing the part of Aida, Arroyo recalls that you could hear the crowd groan all the way in Chicago. Arroyo talks about singing in the operas. She also talks about even though she may have a starring role in the opera, the show is not hers, but rather everyone in the company works hard to put out a good production.