Hi, it's Diane, on my mind.

I'll take you from me.

Opera diva to these grains.

The mezzo soprano made her name in the 90s with the roles of Carmen and Delilah, one

of only a handful of black opera singers at the time.

She toured the most prestigious concert halls around the world.

The Grammy winner is also sung at presidential inaugurations on Sesame Street and at Ruth

Bader Ginsburg's memorial service.

Though Graves continues to perform, she has turned her attention to ways of giving back

and recently launched the Denise Graves Foundation to both support the next generation of black

vocalists and to honor the history of hidden voices who come before.

Denise Graves, how wonderful to have you with us.

Well, thank you, beautiful Diane Reims, for having me again, because we spoke to each

other many, many, many years ago.

And I'm delighted to be back.

And you also interviewed my husband, Dr. Robert Montgomery, twice, I think.

So this is becoming to be a family affair.

So well, I'd love to be back.

And you know for those who may not have heard that wonderful interview I did with you

so many years ago, I want people to understand your background and how it all began for you.

Would you talk about how you got your start in singing?

So it's quite an interesting story and there are many ways to tell it.

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