Rhythms of Resistance and Resilience: How Black Washingtonians Used Music and Sports in the Fight for Equality

The stories of the Black men and women who combated racial prejudice in Washington, DC, with sports and music

In the Nation's Capital, music and sports have played a central role in the lives of African Americans, often serving as a barometer of social conflict and social progress—for sports clubs and ball games, jam sessions and concerts, offered entertainment, enlightenment, and encouragement. At times, they have also offered a means of escape from the harsh realities of everyday life.

Rhyt...