{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity-history-365.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fmildred-ellis-music-to-the-masses-_jBne_qn","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Mildred Ellis: Music to the Masses","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/5475de96-2e82-4c97-ace0-9f7c0d2064d3/53b1fc9b-5525-4bb2-abc8-a51516798c6e/ellisgraphic12.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"","height":200,"description":"Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history, stories you've probably never heard. This month Dr. Jeremy Smith tells the story of a 20th century trailblazing woman named Mildred Ellis. \n\nMildred was born in 1906 and lived a couple blocks from Langston School. She went on to travel all over the country teaching, performing, and composing music. She earned an impressive list of accomplishments. A former National Security Advisor once called her \"a wonderful, proud African American pioneer. Someone who had helped make the path a little bit easier for all those who came after.\" This is the story of a Johnson City native who, despite the restraints of segregation, made it big. But there's one particular event that she thought of as the most significant. Listen to find out. \n\nUnfortunately we don’t have recordings of Mildred performing. But as a tribute, in February 2025 the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, in what is believed to be the world premier, performed Mildred’s original composition called “Keep Singin.” Her work continues to inspire the community where she was raised."}