The name Charles W. Chesnutt may sound familiar, even if you don't know where to place it. It belongs to the first African American man to be published in The Atlantic Monthly and to break into the all-white American literary establishment in the late 1800s.

Plus, Winston-Salem’s historic Bowman Gray Stadium hosted a NASCAR series race for the first time in more than 50 years earlier this month. WUNC’s Mitch Northam has been reporting on track renovations and investment here in recent years and shares the NC history of stock car racing. 

Guests

Tess Chakkalakal, associate professor of African American and American literature at Bowdoin College, author of “A Matter of Complexion: The Life and Fictions of Charles W. Chesnutt”

Mitch Northam, Digital Producer at WUNC and longtime sports reporter