Stax: Jamila Wignot on Stax Records, Soul Music, and the Threat of Black Business Success

Stax: Jamila Wignot on Stax Records, Soul Music, and the Threat of Black Business Success

From We Disrupt This Broadcast by Peabody and CMSI

March 26, 2026 · 45 min · Season 3 · Episode 4

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Jamila Wignot about the HBO documentary series on Stax Records and its cultural significance.

In this episode, we examine the four-part Peabody Award-winning HBO documentary series Stax: Soulsville USA through a conversation with the film’s director, Jamila Wignot. The series chronicles the incredible rise and fall, and rise and fall again, of Stax Records, the Memphis soul record label that brought us incredible artists such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave, and Booker T. & the MGs. Wignot explores how the history of Stax Records is interwoven with the history of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, gave rise to the birth of soul music, and was built on a racially integrated musical community. We also discuss the business acumen of Stax leader Al Bell, and the ultimate threat of Black economic success. Following that conversation, host Gabe González speaks with radio and media personality Dyana Williams about the still-unfolding legacy of Stax Records.

People in this episode

Host: Gabe González

Guests: Jamila Wignot, Dyana Williams

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stax Records, HBO

Books & works: Stax: Soulsville USA

More episodes of We Disrupt This Broadcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the We Disrupt This Broadcast podcast page.