Race

National

More African-Americans Are Learning Their Roots With Genetic Testing

5:57pm January 24, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Social Life of DNA is a new book that explores what cutting-edge DNA testing technology means for African-Americans who lost their history in the slave trade.

After #OscarsSoWhite, Academy Makes Changes To Increase Diversity

5:23pm January 23, 2016

by Michel Martin

Following criticism over a lack of diversity in the Oscars, the Academy Awards board of governors announced new programs to try to diversify the academy's membership by the year 2020.

Barbershop: Black History Month, Macklemore And "Blizzard Baes"

5:04pm January 23, 2016

NPR's Sam Sanders, Arun Venugopal of WNYC, and comedian Amanda Seales talk about inflammatory comments by actress Stacey Dash, the new single by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and "blizzard baes."

Teela Magar and Cing Neam prepare the roti dough as part of Edible Alphabet, a program in Philadelphia that folds English lessons for new immigrants to the U.S. into a cooking class. Students also learn about seasonality and healthful eating on a budget.

A Cooking Class Where New Immigrants Learn The Recipe For English

2:25pm January 22, 2016

by Neema Roshania

A program in Philadelphia folds lessons in English as a second language into a cooking class. The goal is to add a dash of the familiar to ESL class for new arrivals, and teach healthful eating, too.

Studies show that kids' household income seems to be a more important predictor of their risk of becoming overweight and obese than their race or ethnicity.

Health & Safety

Why Poverty May Be More Relevant Than Race For Childhood Obesity

1:28pm January 22, 2016

by Vanessa Rancano

Are kids more at risk of becoming obese because of their race or their economic status? A group of researchers at the University of Michigan tried to tease out an answer.

Chicago Ministers Boycott Mayor's King Day Breakfast

3:23pm January 21, 2016

Dozens of black religious leaders boycotted Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. David Greene talks to Chicago pastor Corey Brooks about the mayor's handling of police violence.

Queue Listen Now

Francisco Alarcon, Whose Poetry Explored Chicano Life In The U.S., Dies

7:25pm January 20, 2016

by Adrian Florido

Francisco Alarcon was an important Mexican-American poet who influenced generations of Chicano writers, including the current U.S. poet laureate. Alarcon died of cancer last week.

Queue Listen Now

'Academy Has A Problem,' David Oyelowo Says At MLK Event Honoring Academy President

2:28pm January 19, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"I am an academy member and it doesn't reflect me, and it doesn't reflect this nation," the actor said Monday, in a speech that cited black performers' prominent roles in successful films.

National

Diversity In Hollywood: Here's What Critics Are Saying About Round 2 Of #OscarSoWhite

12:32pm January 19, 2016

by Hanna Choi

We rounded up some smart reaction to this year's remarkably un-diverse Oscars nominees.

Politics & Government

Sanders Tells Black Voters U.S. Must Confront 'Institutional Racism'

5:18am January 19, 2016

by Gigi Douban

As the Democratic presidential primary narrows, Sen. Bernie Sanders is trying to rally African-American voters to his side. Sanders spent part of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in Birmingham, Ala.