This week, legendary singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples turns 85, and she shows no signs of slowing down: She released a new song, “Worthy,” and a children's book, Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples.
Today, Mavis joins host Brittany Luse to share stories about her life: what it was like being mentored by Mahalia Jackson, helping create the soundtrack for the civil rights movement, being rejected by the church and then being welcomed back, and what it was like working with Prince.
If you would like to be featured on IBAM, record a voice memo answering Brittany's question at the end of the episode and send it to ibam@npr.org.
