October 1st marked the first day in over 50 years that NPR and member stations began operating

without federal funding. We are still here. We're not going anywhere. But it's challenging.

And it makes me think about why I do this work. And a story that I always come back to is a story that I did in Selma, Alabama, where I talked to one of the youngest people that were on the bridge on Bloody Sunday, Joanne Bland. And she gives these tours of Selma talking about the history of the civil rights movement that she lived through.

And I'm grateful that I work for a place where I'm able to give a voice to Joanne Bland,

to raise up those people who lived through truly turbulent

times and made the world a better place. Even in this moment, I feel like I'm talking to people

every day that are living through historic moments, right?

Moments that we'll be talking about decades from now and that I'm able to bear witness.

And I think that's what NPR does.

I think NPR bears witness to what's happening, that we provide a place where we can provide

a record of the truth. And as long as you are here,

as long as you are tuning in, NPR will be here, bearing witness, telling the truth without fear

or favor. Thank you. I'm Aisha Roscoe, and this is a Sunday story from up first, where we go

beyond the news of the day to bring you one big story. A few years ago, I was at an event for

radio people where we were selling our shows to programming directors at member stations.

One of NPR's major competitors was presenting.

Now, I'm not going to say which one.

But when they got to the Q&A portion of their presentation, my colleague,

all things considered host Mary Louise Kelly, stood up and started asking them

some really tough questions. Fair, but challenging. And I have to stress, this was in person,

live, this wasn't hiding behind no computer screen. This was up close and personal. And she was, I could say,

you know, giving them the business. I remember thinking to myself, and I kid you not,

...