It’s a new dawn; It’s a new day;
It’s a new life for me...

Chances are you know Nina’s deep, sultry voice. Her music has entertained and inspired for decades. Hits such as Feeling Good and Young, Gifted and Black topped the charts and became part of the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement.

…and I’m feelin’ good!

L👀K

An Artist’s Duty…

…is to reflect the times.

Feeling Good

I bet you know this one!

The High Priestess of Soul

Mini-bio of Nina Simone

Listen 👂

nina Simone

Ms. Simone was an incredibly gifted musician who used her
music to entertain and inspire a movement.

Classics and Hymns

Examples of the music Nina grew up hearing and playing.

Learn ✍️

What is the civil rights movement?

The Civil Rights Movement refers to a period of time in the 1950s and 60s in the United States. During this time, people became more vocal about the need for equal treatment of all US citizens, especially Black Americans. Important changes to our government were implemented during this time thanks to the many people that protested, lobbied, preached, taught and sacrificed their well-being for the cause.

Artists as Activists

Nina Simone resisted the idea of using her music to promote the Civil Rights Movement but eventually found herself in the company of many other artists turned activists. James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry and Langston Hughes are just some of her peers that helped convince Nina to use her musical talents to spread messages of equality and justice.

James Baldwin
1924-1987

James Baldwin published his first novel in 1957. He also wrote plays, poetry and essays about what it was like to grow up and live as an African American.

Lorraine Hansberry
1930-1965

Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by an African American woman to be performed on Broadway in New York City. Nina Simone's daughter is Lorraine's goddaughter.

Langston Hughes
1902-1967

Langston Hughes wrote poetry, books, and plays. He became popular during The Harlem Renaissance which was a movement to celebrate Black art and culture in Harlem, New York in the 1920s and 1930s.

Links to learning

🎶-Nina Simone Official Website

🎶-Britannica.com: Nina Simone

🎶-Kids.Britannica.com: The Civil Rights Movement