Karen Grigsby Bates
Karen Grigsby Bates is the Senior Correspondent for Code Switch, a podcast that reports on race and ethnicity. A veteran NPR reporter, Bates covered race for the network for several years before becoming a founding member of the Code Switch team. She is especially interested in stories about the hidden history of race in America—and in the intersection of race and culture. She oversees much of Code Switch's coverage of books by and about people of color, as well as issues of race in the publishing industry. Bates is the co-author of a best-selling etiquette book (Basic Black: Home Training for Modern Times) and two mystery novels; she is also a contributor to several anthologies of essays. She lives in Los Angeles and reports from NPR West.
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In an attempt to simplify tax preparations for residents who don't claim deductions, California has mailed pre-filled tax forms to a small test group. While some argue the new program may streamline a tedious process, others worry it may be an invasion of privacy. NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports.
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Dog psychologist Cesar Millan has trained problem pooches and their frustrated owners for many years. His communication techniques with canines have even earned him a National Geographic television show called The Dog Whisperer. NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates recently joined Millan to watch him in action. -
Julian Fellowes won an Oscar for his work on the screenplay of Robert Altman's comedy of manners, Gosford Park. Now Fellowes is out with Snobs, a novel which takes a low view of social climbing. -
Reggae historian Roger Steffens gives NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates a tour of his vast collection of Bob Marley memorabilia — posters, records, t-shirts and other items that fill up his Los Angeles-area basement.
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NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates remembers the life of Shirley Chisholm, who became the first-ever African-American woman to serve in Congress. She served seven terms as a Democrat in the House of Representatives, and was a vocal advocate for the rights of minorities and women. Chisholm died on New Year's Day in Daytona Beach, Fla., at the age of 80.
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NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports on the political legacy of NAACP president Kweisi Mfume, who is expected to announce his resignation as president of the nation's oldest civil rights organization later Tuesday.
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NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports on the increased influence of Internet Web loggers — known as "bloggers" — in the book publishing world.
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NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates talks with Scott-Martin Kosofsky about his new work, The Book of Customs: A Complete Handbook for the Jewish Year. The author researched several centuries-old guidebooks on Jewish rituals and customs to write a contemporary version for American readers. -
NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports on Operalia, an annual international competition for young aspiring opera stars. Dozens of singers compete to win thousands in prize money and a chance to perform with opera legend Placido Domingo.
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NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates reports on a Los Angeles celebration of "Juneteenth," a day recognizing the moment when African-American slaves in Texas got word of the Emancipation Proclamation -- but nearly two years after it was signed.
