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    History

    Our Ancestors Were Messy

    A recap of the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers.

    Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

    Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2023-3023 Our Ancestors Were Messy

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify
    Latest Episodes:
    Minisode: What's Next for Our Ancestors Were Messy May 14, 2025
    Show notes

    Host Nichole Hill shares updates about the future of the show.

    • 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy
    The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play May 07, 2025
    Show notes

    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 Amaya.

    • 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SOURCES

    1. The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neil
    2. Preserving African-American Cinema: The Case of The Emperor Jones by Jennie Saxena with contributions from Ken Weissman and James Cozart
    3. "The Truth About Haiti: An NAACP Investigation" by James Weldon Johnson
    4. Charles Gilpin. The Kennedy Center
    5. Jackson Ward and its Black Wall Street. National Park Service
    6. Beyond Tulsa: The Historic Legacies and Overlooked Stories of America's Black Wall Streets. Time Magazine
    7. The Richmond Planet is digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.
    Drs. Anna and Percy Julian: The Affair That Helped Birth The Pill Apr 23, 2025
    Show notes

    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 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SOURCES

    1. Julian the Trailblazer by Peter Tyson
    2. Forgotten Genius. Nova. PBS
    3. "Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist's Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee
    4. "DuSable Exhibit Highlights Juilan 'Power Couple'" by Robert Felton
    5. You can read the Washington Afro American newspaper which is still in print and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously published Black newspapers in America
    6. You can support the archiving and sharing of this newspaper at Afro Charities
    Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23) Apr 16, 2025
    Show notes

    Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

    • 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy
    Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends Apr 09, 2025
    Show notes

    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.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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SOURCES

    1. Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor
    2. Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston
    3. In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker
    4. The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor
    5. Check out The Interstate Tattler digitized and stored by the New York Public Libraries
    6. Read the archives at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
    Coming Soon: Zora vs. Langston (Apr. 9) Apr 02, 2025
    Show notes

    Host Nichole Hill shares how listeners can support the show and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

    • 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy
    Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever Mar 26, 2025
    Show notes

    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 on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SOURCES

    1. Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor
    2. Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston
    3. In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker
    4. The Dinner Party That Started the Harlem Renaissance by Veronica Chambers and Michelle May-Curry
    5. The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor
    6. Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston
    7. Jackson's classic collection of Black "toasts" is resurrected by Patricia Donovan
    8. Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from Black Oral Tradition by Bruce Jackson
    9. Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress
    10. Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives
    Coming Soon: Zora + Langston (Mar. 26) Mar 19, 2025
    Show notes

    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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

    THE A-TEAM
    The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
    Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
    Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga (@m_tina)
    Research Producer Chioke I'Anson (https://www.chiokeianson.com/)
    Story Editing by Shonte Hill
    Show art by Aseloka Smith (@naturallyherown)

    BONUS STORY

    • To access the bonus story check out this article: Black history emerges from 1897 time capsule.

    Episodes release bi-weekly.

    A Love Story For The Ages! Mar 12, 2025
    Show notes

    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 @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SOURCES

    1. Support the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today!
    2. Check out The Colorado Statesman, archived at the Library of Congress.
    Coming Soon: A Love Story for the Ages (Mar. 12) Mar 05, 2025
    Show notes

    Host Nichole Hill shares listener mail, an update for the Household aka the donor community, and a sneak peek at next week's episode.

    • 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 https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy
    Previous 1 2 3 Next

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