City Cast DC logo
February 4, 2026

DC’s Best Historical Collections Aren’t In the Smithsonian

City Cast DC

DC’s Best Historical Collections Aren’t In the Smithsonian

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

DC offers so many ways to celebrate Black heritage and history. Case in point: the MLK Library. Because the MLK Library is so much more than just books. It's also the People's Archive, a living, breathing collection honoring D.C.'s vibrant Black cultural, social, and political history. We’re revisiting a conversation with Maya Thompson and Derek Gray, who both work there and agree that at a time when our history is under attack, preserving and celebrating Black history is more important than ever.

Learn more about the sponsors of this February 3rd episode:

Library of Congress

South by Southwest - use code "citycast10" for a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge

Don’t forget to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 26

The Most Restricted Fourth Ever, Two New Museums Worth Visiting, and the Election Night Glam That Broke Instagram

We’re talking about the 4th of July in D.C., the city budget, and two new D.C. museums. Plus, in a members-only fourth segment: Makeup! H...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 25

D.C.'s Primary Just Opened up — Here's What That Actually Means For You

The D.C. Council this week voted to allow independents to vote in D.C. primary elections — a potentially huge change in a city where the...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 24

D.C.’s Reflecting Pool is Now the Nation’s Petri Dish

D.C.’s reflecting pool is … not so reflective. It’s been all over the social media feeds for the last few days, and probably yours too –...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 23

Why is D.C. Giving The City's Worst Landlords a Tax Break?

There’s a big apartment complex in Northeast D.C. where the landlords have let conditions get so bad that the local D.C. Councilmember...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 22

Unpacking DC’s Progressive Surge Election with DC Councilmember Christina Henderson

The dust is settling on DC’s mayoral election, and plenty of people are trying to interpret just what message the electorate was sending....

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 18

DC's Earthquake Election, the James Beard Awards, and What the Heck Is Up With the Reflecting Pool

We’re talking about the fallout, so far, a day after DC’s earthquake of a mayoral election. We’re talking about the reaction from DC’s bu...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 17

DC’s Left Scores Big in Primaries

It was a very big night for DC’s left. With a little under two-thirds of the vote counted, Janeese Lewis George is up big over Kenyan McD...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 16

What You Need to Know About Ranked Choice Voting Election Delays

Today is the first DC election under ranked-choice voting. And anyone who thought “instant runoff” meant immediate results is in for a na...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 15

Why Plummeting Rents Could Kill DC’s Housing

DC is facing a double-barreled housing crisis where nothing is getting built. No one is building regular houses apartments because of the...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
June 14

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast DC

Do you know how many parks DC has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Sal...

City Cast DC podcast episode art