For the smart and free-thinking, Black Market Reads is a podcast featuring conversations with today's most exciting Black literary voices. We are a podcast for any one who loves to read, write, and engage. Black Market Reads is a project of The Givens Foundation for African American Literature.
“If we didn’t have health inequities any longer, if everybody were getting the same amount of care, we’d still need to know this history, but it wouldn’t be as urgent. I think the fact that Black women still experience disproportionately higher rates of maternal morbidity is relevant. We need to know why that is. We need to know why Black folks have higher incidence of heart disease, why Black people don’t get good health care, even when they have health insurance, even when they are prosperous people.”
-Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a profoundly moving novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible wrong done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench.
In this episode Lissa and Bukata talk with Author Dolen Perkins-Valdez about her latest book Take My Hand. As a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life, Dolen talks about her research, her passion for uplifting the authentic voice and the responsibility we have for the fallout of our good deeds.
In this episode Lissa and Bukata talk with Author Dolen Perkins-Valdez about her latest book Take My Hand. As a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life, Dolen talks about her research, her passion for uplifting the authentic voice and the responsibility we have for the fallout of our good deeds.
The American Bar Association recently awarded Take My Hand its prestigious Silver Gavel Award which recognizes an “outstanding work that fosters the American public’s understanding of law and the legal system.”
GO DEEPER
WATCH
In the podcast you’ll hear a clip of Nina Simone singing Mississippi Goddam. Here you can enjoy the full song from The sixth Antibes Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival that took place from July 24 to July 29, 1965. Nina had the closing spot on the first two days.
LEARN
The novel, Take My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is based on the true story of Minnie Lee and Mary Alice Relf. Learn more in this video clip from Voices of the Civil Rights Movement.
The title of Dolen’s book is taken from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s favorite song and referenced in the conversation. Enjoy this video from Gateway Church.
Black Market Reads is produced by The Givens Foundation for African-American Literature in partnership with iDream.tv.
Funding for Black Market Reads: On Health is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, as part of Blue Cross’ long-term commitment to improving the health of Minnesota communities and ensuring that all people have opportunities to live the healthiest lives possible.
