MILESTONES: Celebrating the Culture

Love Is a Song: Celebrating Roberta Flack at 86

By Angélika Beener

Published February 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM EST

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Award-winning vocalist and educator Charenee Wade joins Angélika Beener to celebrate Roberta Flack on the legendary musician's 86th birthday through a rich discussion of her classic Killing Me Softly LP, which turns 50 this year and the new PBS American Masters documentary which chronicles Flack's fascinating career. Wade speaks on Flack's invitation to expand what soul and activism can sound like, the true role and impact of an interpreter, and much more.

Milestones theme produced by Riley K. Glasper

Co-Produced by Corey Goldberg

Recorded at Teal Octopus in Brooklyn, New York

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Angélika Beener

Angélika Beener is an award-winning journalist, DJ, host and producer. Angélika has contributed her work to Downbeat, TIDAL, The Huffington Post, NPR Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and National Public Radio. In addition, she has contributed liner notes to several acclaimed recording projects, including two GRAMMY®-winning albums. A journalist who writes about music and culture at the intersections of race, gender, and generation, her work in public radio has been recognized by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and The New York Association of Black Journalists.

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