When I Rise

Barbara Smith Conrad, a talented music student at the University of Texas, becomes a pivotal figure in a racial conflict that alters her life trajectory. When cast in an opera alongside a white classmate, she faces a fierce backlash from Texas legislators, resulting in her removal from the production. This incident captures national attention, drawing unexpected support from a pop icon. Rising from her East Texas roots, Barbara transforms adversity into triumph, ultimately achieving international acclaim as a mezzo-soprano, gracing stages across the globe and inspiring countless others along the way.