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
- Stax Records
- soul music
- Civil Rights Movement
- Black business success
- documentary
- music history
Keywords
- Stax Records
- soul music
- Jamila Wignot
- HBO documentary
- Black economic success
- Civil Rights Movement
- Al Bell
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Stax Records, HBO
Books & works: Stax: Soulsville USA
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