How A Black Filmmaker Changed Movies From The Edge Of Appalachia

One of America’s pioneering filmmakers had nothing to do with Hollywood but nevertheless left his mark on the emerging industry. Oscar Micheaux was a homesteader, who then turned his attention to making movies in the early 1900s. He was a Black man who made movies for Black audiences at a time when they weren’t allowed into mainstream, white-only theaters. And for several pivotal years in the 1920s, he operated out of Roanoke, Virginia.

Take Me to More News

Home » podcast

podcast

Government WVPB Staff, About 3 hours ago

The ‘Ratepayers Bill Of Rights’ And State Leaders Respond To US-Led Attack On Iran, This West Virginia Morning

West Virginians gathered at the capitol last week to urge lawmakers to take action on rising electric bills. Also, state leaders have been quick to respond to news of the U.S.-led attack on Iran. And, Larry Kump, a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, died over the weekend.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Government Bill Lynch, Mar. 01, 2026

Energy Bills And Education Concerns, This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, residents demand action on energy bills, the Hope Scholarship bill moves forward and changes to homeschooling requirements meets resistance.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Economy Chris Schulz, Feb. 28, 2026

Ratepayer Rights, State Budget Bills And A Public Listening Session, At The Legislature This Week

On The Legislature This Week, ratepayers advocate for their rights, while lawmakers chip away at the state's budget for the next fiscal year.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture Bill Lynch +, Feb. 28, 2026

Oscar Micheaux, Kathleen Driskell And Soul Food, Inside Appalachia

This week, in the 1920s, Oscar Micheaux was an entrepreneur filmmaker in western Virginia. He became a world-renowned director and producer. Also, Kentucky’s poet laureate lives down the road from what has been called the country’s most lethal cryptid. Attempts to spot it have led to deaths. And, we talk soul food with Xavier Oglesby, who’s passing on generations of kitchen wisdom to his niece.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Recent Stories

Government WVPB Staff, Feb. 27, 2026

Stakeholder Weighs In On 'Ratepayers Bill Of Rights'

On this episode of The Legislature Today, bills must be out of their respective committees by Sunday to be able to meet crossover day next Wednesday, and lawmakers are still working their way through next fiscal year’s budget. Also, we speak with Emmett Pepper, the policy director for Energy Efficient West Virginia, to learn about the Ratepayers Bill of Rights.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Arts & Culture WVPB Staff, Feb. 27, 2026

How A Filmmaker In The 1920s Shattered Stereotypes, This West Virginia Morning

We listen to an excerpt from the latest Inside Appalachia and learn about the influence and contributions of Oscar Micheaux, an African American filmmaker who lived in Virginia in the 1920s and shattered stereotypes.

Continue Reading Take Me to More News

Load More Articles