Search results for

American Gangster, a film based on the life of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, hits movie screens this weekend starring Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington. This week's Next Big Thing looks at pop culture's fascination with black gangsters through the years. Mark Rowland, producer of a new BET series on gangsters of color, is joined by filmmaker Marc Levin to discuss America's fascination.

With orchestras clamoring for her work, the rising artist feels a responsibility and opportunity to help reframe classical music and the institutions that present it.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has been both criticized and praised for asking women to speak up and advocate for themselves in their careers. But what does her advice mean for younger career-minded women? Host Michel Martin gets some answers from Viviana Hurtado, of the Wise Latina Club; Pooja Sankar, the CEO of Piazza, a website for college students; and Harvard senior Kimberly Foster.

Almost 1 in 10 nurses who were issued new licenses last year waited six months or more, an NPR analysis found. Nurses say patient care suffers as these delays make staffing shortages even worse.

Lego's new play sets, which are geared toward girls, include a beauty shop, cafe and pool. Critics say the toys are too focused on image and gender stereotypes. Others, including Lego, say they're simply what girls want to play with. Host Michel Martin and a diverse panel of moms explore gender-focused marketing.

Actor Jeff Daniels has portrayed dozens of characters on stage and screen. His latest film role is a romantic comedy, The Answer Man. He plays an author who is supposed to have all the answers to life's important questions, but clearly does not.

Many remember Fantasia Barrino as Season Three winner on the hit reality television singing competition American Idol. Now, Fantasia stars as Celie in the Washington, D.C., run of The Color Purple. Host Michel Martin speaks to the electrifying singer about American Idol, her role on Broadway, motherhood, and the role of Celie has changed her life.

As President Trump approaches one year back in office, the policies his administration pursues — and how those policies are communicated — have been increasingly shaped by social media.

In the era of body cameras and cellphones, the act of seeing police do their job is radically altering the public-police relationship, and changing civilian and police behavior and perceptions alike.

The San Francisco Ballet, composer Philip Glass, the Martha Graham Dance Company and more have pulled out of Kennedy Center performances. Here's a running list of cancellations.

Hillary Clinton is winding down her tenure as U.S. Secretary of State. Host Michel Martin and the Beauty Shop ladies read the tea leaves on whether Clinton is poised for a 2016 presidential run or if she'd rather kick back and watch home decorating shows.

The former New York Times executive editor and author of Merchants of Truth tells NPR's Michel Martin: "I will do everything within my power to correct anything that is imperfect in my book."

A new documentary, Oliver Sacks: His Own Life, chronicles the late neurologist's efforts to understand perception, memory and consciousness. Sacks spoke to Fresh Air in 2012.

A former chapter leader at the Council on American-Islamic Relations was accused of domestic abuse. Since then, other women have come forward with allegations of bad behavior, while he disputes all.

Years after agreeing to take part in research, families of children with congenital Zika syndrome are feeling abandoned.

The Spam Allstars are generating a buzz in the music business for their rhythmic mixtures of electronica, Latin, funk, hip-hop and dub. And the band members are just as diverse as the music they groove to. The Spam Allstars share their music as well as their inspiration.

A thumbnail-size "switch" turns a gun from semi-automatic to automatic. Authorities see a correlation between an uptick in mass shootings and the rise of switch-equipped guns and extended magazines.

A Bloomberg News/NPR investigation found that large U.S. coal companies used bankruptcy and asset transfers to move old mines to shaky new owners, putting at risk federally mandated land reclamation.

An ABC News freelance producer confronted critics of a consulting firm's powerful clients. Her actions confirm people's worst suspicions about the news media, says a former network news president.

In an interview with Iowa Public Radio, the Democratic candidate declined to endorse a $15 minimum wage, citing differences in the economy across the country.

Pamela Paul of The New York Times talks about her own new book, which chronicles every book she's read since she was 17 years old. Even if a work isn't great, she refuses to brush it aside cavalierly.

The hourlong dance variety show Soul Train was the longest-running syndicated show in history when it signed off in 2006. Adolfo "Shabba Doo" Quinones, one of the program's original dancers, celebrates Soul Train's 40th anniversary with a look back at the show's impact on fashion, dance and culture.

NPR's list of memorable visual stories includes coverage of the 2018 midterm election, migrant caravans, Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery and, of course, a musical insect invasion.

Let's imagine that we've ended global warming. Humans no longer are releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Here's what life is like in a zero-carbon world.

Two couples — two brothers and their wives — meet for a meal in Herman Koch's new novel The Dinner, and it's anything but a convivial family gathering. Both couples have teenage sons, and they're meeting to discuss a ghastly crime the boys have committed.