For decades, NPR’s Melissa Block was a familiar presence in listeners’ homes, cars, and earbuds. As a correspondent and longtime host of All Things Considered, she traveled around the country and the world, bringing stories of triumph, tragedy, and much-needed humor. She joins us in Anchorage to unspool memorable moments from a lifetime of reporting, and to press the case for supporting robust journalism.

Melissa Block, longtime NPR host and correspondent, is celebrated for her decades of warm yet incisive reporting. Her work over the decades earned her journalism's highest honors, and made her one of NPR's most familiar and beloved voices. Block began her career at NPR in 1985 as an editorial assistant for All Things Considered, and rose through the ranks to become the program's senior producer and host from 2003 to 2015.

The CAS Community Lecture Series brings the world to Alaska and Alaska to the world. The series will showcase speakers with a broad and diverse range of expertise and a deep well of insight. We’ll spotlight the remarkable contributions of national figures, as well as Alaska-based scholars, artists, and culture bearers to gain a better understanding of our state, nation, and the world around us. Please join us as we celebrate knowledge, inspire curiosity, and strengthen the bonds that make our community unique.