Allan Rohan Crite dedicated his career to the rich visual imagery of African American life in 20th century urban America. Brandon Truett, head of learning and community engagement at Mellon, remembers Crite's enduring legacy through paintings, which are now on display at the Zimmerli Art Museum.

Painting by Allan Rohan Crite: Sunlight and Shadow, 1941 (Courtesy of the Allan Rohan Crite Research Institute and Library)

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A recent New York Times article explores how a new type of social club offers low-cost, low-pressure ways of interacting with others. New York Times reporter Christina Caron joins us to discuss her piece about how people are finding unique opportunities to make new friends and some of the groups she has come across.

Photo by Øyvind Holmstad via Wikimedia Commons

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The tile game Mah-Jongg has become incredibly popular among American women, spawning clubs, tournaments, and brands, and some have raised concerns about the Americanization and commercialization of the game. Atlantic staff writer Ashley Parker discusses mah-jongg’s recent rise in popularity, as well as her own ‘descent into Mah-Jongg’, which she detailed in a recent article. 

Photo by Eric Lee/For The Washington Post via Getty Images: People play "wash" Mahjong tiles during "Mahjong Night" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

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new ahead of his new children's book Night Ride. Myers discusses the exhibit, called ‘Unbound,’ which opens in the Grand Lobby of BPL's Central Branch on July 14.

Image courtesy of Christopher Myers

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The All Of It Summer Reading Challenge has entered the second month! Producer Jordan Lauf provides recommendations specifically for the U.S. history or historical fiction category. Plus, listeners share what books they are reading for the Challenge. 

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Set in 1930s New York, A historical fiction novel follows two women on opposite sides of the law, a prosecutor and a madam, who form an unlikely partnership to take down a notorious mob boss. Authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray discuss their new book, A Pair of Aces.

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George McKenzie Jr. grew up around violence in Brooklyn before becoming one of the few Black wildlife photographers for National Geographic. Now, he shares his story in the short documentary film "The Book of George" McKenzie discusses the film and his career.

Image courtesy of LA Times Studios: George McKenzie Jr from "The Book Of George"

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On Friday, June 19th, the National Library of France announced the discovery of a 44-page notebook containing lessons and compositions written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The notebook, which belonged to one of the composer's pupils, yielded seven previously unknown works for flute and harp - a musical duo that is not well represented in classical music repertoires. Emi Ferguson, a flute player, composer, and host on WQXR discusses the significance of this discovery and what it may mean for musicians and the classical music world at large.

Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP via Getty Images: An original fragment from a recently discovered piece of instructional music composed by Mozart.

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The new documentary "Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World" reflects on the life and work of the esteemed poet, who published more than 30 collections over the course of her career. Director Sasha Waters discusses the film, and poet Gabrielle Calvocoressi shares what Oliver's poetry means to them. "Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World" premieres at the IFC Center on July 2, and will air on PBS on August 25. 

Photo by Rachel Giese Brown

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In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Seaport Museum's latest full-floor exhibition traces how the nation's founding ideas have evolved over time through rare defining documents and pivotal moments in history. Captain Jonathan Boulware, president of the South Street Seaport Museum and Martina Caruso, curator and Director of Collections and Exhibitions, discuss “The Promise of Liberty: Words That Shaped a Nation,” which is now on view at the historic 1868 A.A. Thomson & Co. building on 213 Water Street.

Illustration published in Harper's Weekly, November 27, 1875: “Projected Statue of Liberty for New York Harbor”  publisher. Courtesy of the Seaport Museum

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