In Conversation: Toshi Reagon and Mark Anthony Neal

'Described by Vibe magazine as “one helluva rock’n’roller-coaster ride” and by PopMatters as “a treasure waiting to be found,” Toshi Reagon is a one-woman celebration of all that’s dynamic, progressive and uplifting in American music. Since first taking to the stage at age 17, this versatile singer-songwriter-guitarist has moved audiences of all kinds with her big-hearted, hold-nothing-back approach to rock, blues, R&B, country, folk, spirituals and funk. Since Lenny Kravitz chose her more than 30 years ago, straight out of college, to open for him on his first world tour, she has gone on to share stages with notable colleagues such as Nona Hendryx, Elvis Costello, Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger, Dar Williams, Lizz Wright, Me’shell Ndegé Ocello and Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius). Her performances with her mother, Bernice Johnson Reagon — civil rights activist and founder of the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock — are legendary.  As part of Elevate Atlanta, Reagon was in conversation with Duke University Professor Mark Anthony Neal.'