Julie Taboh

Future of Food is Up on the Roof

Increasingly cities are turning unused space into a garden to feed the community, mitigate flooding

Green Roofs Benefit People, Environment

Excess rainwater flowing into streams and waterways — carrying pollutants and contaminants — is a problem for urban areas across the country. To combat it, an increasing number of cities across the U.S. are initiating programs like rooftop gardens to help absorb the rain, and in some cases also grow food. VOA's Julie Taboh takes us to a rooftop garden in Washington, a city with one of greatest numbers of green roofs.

Portraits Bring Diversity to America’s Story

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery adds 28 images, including athletes, artists, scientists

Smithsonian Museum's Latest Acquisitions Reflect a Diverse America

For the past 50 years, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington has been telling America's story with images of people who helped shape the history and culture of the United States. It recently added 28 pictures in an effort to tell a more diverse and more complete story of U.S. society. The display features well-known people like baseball player Alex Rodriguez and former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy — and sheds light on some "hidden figures." VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

Native Artists Keep Culture Alive

The annual Art Market at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian features traditional Native crafts, including textiles, jewelry and baskets.

Native American Museum Hosts Artists From Across the Americas

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington recently hosted a two-day art market offering visitors a chance to purchase artworks by some of the finest Native American artists from across the hemisphere. The hand-crafted items in traditional and contemporary styles included silver and semiprecious jewelry, ceramics, fine apparel, handwoven baskets, traditional beadwork, dolls, paintings and sculptures. VOA's Julie Taboh spoke with a few of the artists about their work.

Popular US Outdoor Market Exudes Holiday Spirit

Shoppers skip the mall for DC's Downtown Holiday Market.

Holiday Shopping Outdoors

An outdoor holiday market in downtown Washington has become a popular annual tradition. Every holiday season for the past 14 years, small business owners from across the U.S. and overseas come to the heart of the nation’s capital to sell their crafts in a festive, village environment. Visitors from all corners of the U.S. get to enjoy live music, exotic street food and the opportunity to meet the artisans who made the one-of-a-kind products they're purchasing. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more.

The Power of Political Cartoons

Editorial cartoons -- also known as political cartoons -- have been around as long as there's been political discourse and dissent. In the U.S. they're a vibrant part of American culture and history, and no matter how controversial, are protected as free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. VOA's Julie Taboh spoke with a Pulitzer-Prize-winning cartoonist about the current state of cartooning in the U.S. -- and overseas.

Editorial Cartoons Pack Powerful Messages

Editorial cartoons — also known as political cartoons — have been around as long as there’s been political discourse and dissent

Fossils From Angola Bring Strange Yet Familiar Ocean into View

Repair Café Teaches Skills to Turn Trash into Treasure

A team of handy Australian men and women are turning trash into treasures. They're fighting back against our disposable society by sharing their skills and expertise to save broken items headed for the landfill. VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

Fossils From Angola Bring Strange Yet Familiar Ocean into View

Some of you may be familiar with mythical sea monsters. For example, Scotland's infamous Loch Ness Monster "Nessie," and Giganto, fictional beasts of comic book fame. But millions of years ago, there were real-life sea monsters that lived and thrived in what we now call the South Atlantic Ocean. Now a Smithsonian museum in Washington is giving visitors a chance to learn about these ancient marine reptiles. VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

Artist Revives Lebanon’s Abandoned Historic Buildings

Dotted with bullet holes and scarred by war, a once glamorous Lebanese hotel, abandoned for more than 40 years, is coming back to life through the paintings of an artist on a mission to revive the memories of its glorious past. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more.

Exhibition Merges Custom Cars with Underground Art Culture

A new exhibition in Los Angeles is celebrating the U.S. cult of custom cars and art culture. "Auto-Didactic: The Juxtapoz School" features art, fashion and vehicles that represent the custom culture of the "hot rod" era that began in Southern California in the 1960s. VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

Women Candidates Need Ingenuity to Fund Political Campaigns

This story is part of our special report: US Midterms 2018

American Women Fund Political Campaigns in Innovative ways

A record number of American women are running, or running again, for political office at all levels of government in the upcoming midterm elections. And they're finding innovative ways to finance their campaigns. VOA's Julie Taboh followed two candidates, a Democrat and a Republican, to see how they are raising funds in their quest to land seats in the U.S. Congress.

Teen's Program Could Improve Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer treatment could become more advanced with help from 13-year-old Rishab Jain. He's created a tool for doctors to locate the hard-to-find pancreas more quickly and precisely during cancer treatment. The teen recently won a prestigious young scientist award for his potentially game-changing idea. VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

Chilean Youths with Down Syndrome Create Gourmet Goodies

A group of Chilean youths with Down syndrome are gaining important life skills as they learn to plant, grow and sell their own fresh vegetables, and create delicious marmalades and preserves, which they sell for profit. VOA's Julie Taboh has more.

A Controversial Comeback for a Highly Prized Fish