Our Ancestors Were Messy

Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillian Cottom taped live on Juneteenth at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU in Richmond, VA.  Support this independent production and access bonus...

Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring the co-hosts of Code Switch B.A. Parker and Gene Demby taped live at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in Washington, DC. Support this independent production and access bonus content...

A preview of an upcoming episode about the Black Loyalists. Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an unbelievable legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond!  Full episodes air July 8th starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillian Cottom taped live on Juneteenth at the Institute for Co...

Host Nichole Hill responds to listeners' comments and shares an interview with the show's Research Producer, Chioke I'Anson, about the research behind the histories shared on the show. Their conversation was originally taped for the donor community known as The Household. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ou...

Essie & Paul’s passions lead them to the front lines of the fight to defeat fascism. Starring Jason Reynolds Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy Learn more about the show at...

Eslanda Cardozo Goode and Paul Robeson meet and fall in love during the Roaring 20s in Harlem. They give up promising careers and devote themselves to climbing the ladder of fame and fortune. Can their relationship survive the success that follows?   Starring Jason Reynolds Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at...

Host Nichole Hill shares the story behind Black History Month ahead of the 100th anniversary of it’s celebration and gives listeners a sneak peek of a new episode coming out on January 28th. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com T...

Was dating any easier in the past? Nichole Hill joins Gene Demby and B.A. Parker, hosts of NPR's Code Switch, to put this question to the test by traveling back in time to 1937, using archival personal ads from the Washington Afro-American newspaper. Together, the trio gets a small taste of what it was like for Black folks to date almost a century ago. Turns out, the ancestors were messy, too! Sup...

A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and a musical force the world over. These are the many lives and loves of one of the most famous women of the era: Nora Holt. Starring Natalie Tulloch and Christabel Nsiah-Buadi Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in tou...

Host Nichole Hill shares updates about the future of the show. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram  

In 1920, Emperor Jones was a bona fide Broadway hit. The controversial play’s lead is Charles Gilpin, the first Black man to head up an integrated cast on the Great White Way. Gilpin enjoys fame, accolades, and universal acclaim…but he does have a note for his playwright Eugene O’Neil. A note that will make and break careers and change the course of Black history! Starring Dr. Chioke I'anson and A...

In the summer of 1932, Anna and Percy learn that their scandalous love affair has been exposed on the front page of the most popular Black newspaper in DC. They were on their way to making history but now that the secret’s out, their futures hang in the balance. Starring Nygel Turner. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay i...

Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorswerem...

Correction: An earlier version of this story cited events as having happened in 1970 that occured throughout that decade. Zora Neale Huston and Langston Hughes finally set to work writing their play but outside influences and crossed wires spell trouble for this historic pair. Starring Alicia Walters . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.su...

Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorswerem...

It's the summer of 1927 and Zora Neale Huston and Langston Hughes are driving across the South searching for folklore, swapping stories, and enjoying being the newfound stars of the Harlem Renaissance. Starring Alicia Walters . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show...

Host Nichole Hill shares a research tip, updates for the Household aka the donor community, where to find bonus material, and a sneak peek at next week's episode. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ourane...

Nichole, Zakiya and Emmanuel read three drama-filled love stories from historic Black newspapers and select the one that they believe could stand the test of time. Starring Zakiya Gibbons and Emmanuel Dzotsi . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at @o...

Host Nichole Hill shares listener mail, an update for the Household aka the donor community, and a sneak peek at next week's episode. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or f...

At the turn of the century, Oscar Micheaux - a dreamer from Smallville - makes his way to the big city searching for fame, fortune...and a change to his single status! What he finds is a wife he loves, a father-in-law he hates, and a path into Black history he could have never imagined. Starring Dr. Ray Christian . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestor...

Host Nichole Hill shares a programming note, a thank you, and a sneak peek at next week's episode. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com To access bonus content and support this independent production visit   https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com To stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremes...

A Victorian Era love triangle rocks the elites of DC and the Washington Bee newspaper is on the scene, thrilled to cover every scandalous detail! Starring Jonquilyn Hill. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Connect with the s...

Our Ancestors Were Messy is a show about our ancestors and all their drama! Host Nichole Hill and her guests sift through the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines in historical Black newspapers. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at...