Imani Perry

The Rise and Fall of Black Swan: Episode One from The Vanishing of Harry Pace, a six-part series created by Jad Abumrad and Shima Oliaee.  Harry Pace founded Black Swan Records exactly 100 years ago. Pace launched the career of Ethel Waters, inadvertently invented the term rock n roll, played an important role in W.C. Handy becoming "Father of the Blues," inspired Ebony and Jet magazines, and helped desegregate the South Side of Chicago in an epic Supreme Court battle. Then, he disappeared.  The Vanishing of Harry Pace is a series about the phenomenal but forgotten man who changed the American music scene. It's a story about betrayal, family, hidden identities, and a time like no other. This series was produced in collaboration with author Kiese Laymon, scholar Imani Perry, screenwriter Cord Jefferson, and WQXR’s Terrance McKnight. Jami Floyd is our consulting producer; our fact checker is Natalie Meade. Peter Pace lent his voice for our readings. Based on the book Black Swan Blues: the Hard Rise and Brutal Fall of America’s First Black Owned Record Label by Paul Slade. The series features interviews with Pace's descendants and over forty musicians, historians, writers, and musicologists, all of whom grapple with Pace’s enduring legacy.

Imani Perry, a Harvard professor and author known for her work on Black history and culture, discusses the profound connection between the color blue and the Black experience in America. She dives into how periwinkle flowers were used in enslaved individuals' burial practices, symbolizing resilience. The conversation highlights music's role, particularly the blues, as a powerful vehicle for expressing both trauma and joy. Perry also examines the complexities of identity shaped by history, art, and the struggle against oppression.

Imani Perry, a Harvard professor and acclaimed author, discusses the profound connections between the color blue and the Black American experience. She reveals how blue symbolizes both oppression and resilience, weaving its significance through history, spirituality, and community. Perry explores the emotional depth of blue in art and music, notably the blues genre, while reflecting on storytelling as a transformative tool. She also touches on the importance of literacy and hoodoo, showcasing the rich tapestry of cultural identity rooted in this vibrant color.