High-end fashion designers have been getting rave reviews for the African prints, textiles and shapes that they sent down the runways. Host Michel Martin explores how it was a good year for African prints and where the trend is going in 2012. She talks with online boutique owner Dolapo Shobanjo and style correspondent Robin Givhan.
Opening in select U.S. theaters Wednesday, Pariah follows the story of Alike, a 17-year-old lesbian who tries coming to terms with her conflicting identities. Along her journey, Alike's bonds with friends and families are thrown into jeopardy. Host Michel Martin speaks with leading actress Adepero Oduye and director Dee Rees.
Customer satisfaction for credit unions soared this year, and roughly a million Americans moved their money into credit unions, according to the Credit Union National Association. This was partly due to backlash against big banks instituting new fees. Host Michel Martin hears from regular financial contributor Alvin Hall.
WorkingMother.com recently released its list of the year's most powerful moms. Michel Martin and regular parenting contributors Leslie Morgan Steiner and Jolene Ivey discuss what it takes to be a strong mom, who they admire, and who should not have been on the list. Also joining the conversation is Helen Jonsen, editor of WorkingMother.com.
Congress' approval ratings hit an all-time low in December, according to the polling firm Gallup. Host Michel Martin looks at why many Americans seemed to be frustrated with Congress. She hears from NPR Senior Washington Editor Ron Elving and Mark Eaton of the Capitol Steps, a musical political satire group.
Many business owners were outraged when Amazon.com released an app offering discounts on items that customers scanned in stores but later bought on Amazon. Jasmine Johnson started an online petition against Amazon's promotion techniques. She and technology culture reporter Omar Gallaga speak with host Michel Martin.
Guest host Allison Keyes looks back at the victories gays and lesbians scored in 2011. Same-sex marriage was legalized in New York. And "don't ask, don't tell," the controversial ban that barred gays from serving openly in the military, was repealed. Keyes speaks with writer Kai Wright.
Dr. Norman Spack at Boston's Children's Hospital has worked with 30 transgender youth and their families to get through the difficult phases of adolescence. One treatment includes a controversial medication that blocks puberty until he or she decides whether or not to transition to the other gender. Dr. Spack talks with guest host Allison Keyes.
Nearly 50 Americans million now live below the poverty line, according to the Census Bureau. Many food banks are not only reporting an increase in the number of people they're serving, but also a drop in food and cash donations — as much as 30 percent in some areas. Guest host Allison Keyes talks with two people working on the front lines of hunger relief.
If you're reminiscing over all of the great albums released in 2011, keep in mind, there's plenty to look forward to next year. Guest host Allison Keyes finds out what to keep an ear out for. She talks with two of the biggest music fans on the Tell Me More team: freelance producer, Veronica Miller, and Sarah Ventre, a freelance music journalist.
Many of the artists getting the most buzz in pop music this year are female! Think Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Adele, Nicki Minaj. There are some less obvious examples too. Three female music journalists spoke to Tell Me More host Allison Keyes about some of the best and most talked about music by women this year. Danyel Smith, the editor of Billboard Magazine, NPR Music editor Frannie Kelley and Jasmine Garsd, co-host of NPR Music's Alt.Latino podcast.
After receiving an earful from Democrats and Senate Republicans, House GOP members agreed to a deal to extend unemployment benefits and a payroll tax holiday. The Republican race is also heating up in Iowa and New Hampshire. Guest host Allison Keyes speaks with former GOP National Committee chairman Michael Steele, and Joy-Ann Reid of TheGrio.com.
The guys weigh in on President Obama's recent increase in popularity, and they look at the NBA match-ups that will kick-off the season on Christmas Day. Guest host Allison Keyes is joined by author Jimi Izrael, GOP strategist Ron Christie, The Boston Globe film critic, Wesley Morris, and Dave Zirin, sports editor at The Nation.
Jermaine Jackson performed alongside his brother, Michael, in the legendary Motown group the Jackson 5. In his book, You Are Not Alone: Michael, he looks at his struggle to come to terms with his brother's death. As part of Tell Me More's series, In Your Ear, Jackson talks about the songs that continue to inspire him.
He's a name you may not know, but he documented a part of American history that can't be forgotten.