Shemekia Copeland's dad, Texas guitarist Johnny Copeland, moved his family to Harlem, where Shemekia was born and grew up surrounded by hip-hop, but dedicated to the blues. She's been in the blues scene since she was a little girl singing at her dad's shows. We began back in those early days, on stage, with her father.

Local residents and activists successfully campaigned to bring the film to the Mississippi Delta town it's set in — which hasn’t had a theater in 20 years.

This is American Routes, celebrating the National Endowment for the Arts 2024 Heritage Fellows. Rosie Flores originally from San Antonio, Texas is a well-traveled singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for playing country, rockabilly, and a mix with punk rock called “cowpunk.” She’s performed with groups including her alt-country band Rosie and the Screamers in San Diego, a female cowpunk band the Screamin' Sirens in Hollywood, and the all-women Tex-Mex supergroup, Las Super Tejanas. She notably helped revive the careers of rockabilly legends Wanda Jackson and Janis Martin with her album, Rockabilly Filly. In 1987, she became the first Latina on Billboard’s country music chart for her single, "Crying Over You.” Her musical career has taken her to San Diego, Los Angeles, and Nashville, but her journey began at home in San Antonio, listening to Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, and Elvis on the kitchen radio.

An aggressive deportation push by the Trump administration has stirred fear in this deeply rooted South Louisiana community.

The Historic New Orleans Collection spotlights the late, great Bourbon Street entertainer Chris Owens.

Yvette Landry wears many hats: musician, songwriter, educator, author, and record producer. Hailing from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Yvette grew up listening to music but wasn’t interested in playing music until later in life. After her dad was diagnosed with cancer, Yvette bought a bass for Cajun jam sessions with the Lafayette Rhythm Devils. She went on to join the female-led Cajun band Bonsoir, Catin, and now fronts the Yvette Landry Band. Though she’s performed internationally, Yvette has stayed close to home, teaching American Sign Language and songwriting at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.

The hall’s foundation is planning to grow its efforts through its largest expansion to date.