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Black History, For Real

Wondery

The first woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List was a Black Panther. The richest person of all time, an African king, gave away so much gold that it caused Cairo's economy to crash. A 109 year old Black woman fights for reparations for her neighborhood that was burned to the ground when she was a child. On Wondery’s history series Black History, For Real, hosts Franchesca Ramsey and Conscious Lee go beyond the stories you already know to drop you right in the mix. It’s a no-nonsense, unwhitewashed account of history’s most overlooked moments, with a mix of narrative storytelling and candid conversation. We’ll even spill the occasional historical tea! It’s all facts, no cap. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Black History, For Real ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

  1. 11/18/2024

    My President Is Black | It’s the Senate, and We in It

    Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants, once dreamed of justice on the streets of Oakland. Barack Obama, born to a Kenyan father and a Kansas mother, found his voice on Chicago's South Side. Against the odds, both rose from the margins to the Senate, ultimately shattering ceilings in the White House. But with the 2024 election looming, Harris stands on the precipice of another historic leap. The path Obama carved is now shadowed by fierce divisions and disillusionment. In a nation wrestling with the fallout of Obama’s legacy and the fierce resistance that followed, can Harris carry the torch forward? Or will America’s appetite for change be extinguished just as she steps forward? Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min

  2. 11/11/2024

    Outsiders On The Inside | It’s the Senate, and We in It

    It's 1978, and Senator Edward Brooke is fighting for his political life. As the first Black U.S. Senator elected by popular vote, Ed broke barriers and reached the heights of power. But scandal and betrayal threaten to bring it all crashing down. Meanwhile, a young Carol Moseley Braun faces her own trials as she begins her journey to become the first Black woman in the Senate. From backroom deals to civil rights battles, two trailblazing Black senators navigate racism, party politics, and inner turmoil in their attempt to shape American democracy. Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min

  3. 11/04/2024

    Lord Give Me a Sign | It’s the Senate, and We in It

    The Civil War’s over, countless Black people are making their way in a new and dangerous world, and their fight for equality and representation ain’t over. Two Black men – preacher Hiram Revels and the formerly enslaved Blanche Bruce – rise up during U.S. Reconstruction with different ideas about gaining and maintaining power. One, leans on his faith and his God, the other on his wiles as he escapes near death. Both men come from two completely different walks of life, but their eyes are set on winning the same prize: becoming the first Black senators in the United States’ Congress. But, the nation’s politics are strained, and even if they win their seats, taking real power ain’t gonna be easy. Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min

  4. 10/28/2024

    Made You Look | For Real, For Real

    Blackness is more than skin deep. This thing is cultural, and culture moves beyond what we can see. Franchesca and Conscious dive into the nuances between race and ethnicity while celebrating the contributions of Afro Latino people to Black history. And, because we ain’t gonna let Halloween pass us by without touching on the spooky, our hosts chat about the resurgence of Voodoo in some Afro Latino communities and its connection back to the African continent. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    34 min

  5. 10/23/2024

    NYPD's Secret Story | For Real, For Real

    Woop! Woop! That’s the sound of da police! Conscious and Frankie welcome Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika – host of Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD. Dr. Kumanyika’s podcast is a deeply personal tale of his relationship to policing, the history of the NYPD and its long reaching impact in police departments across the nation. Are the police truly functioning as designed? Does their origin begin and end as slave catching patrols? Today’s conversation brings humor and depth to the exploration of that fraught history.  Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    42 min

  6. 10/21/2024

    My Mic Sounds Nice | Gwen Ifill’s Rise

    As a child, Gwen Ifill watches the flickering images of 1960s America dance across her television screen. Journalists and news anchors covering the turbulent era look and sound nothing like Gwen, but she’s determined to leave her mark. From her internship at the Boston Herald American, to debate stages holding powerful politicians to account and town halls creating space for Black America’s pain and rage – Gwen Ifill carves a path all her own to the top of legacy media. Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    42 min

  7. 10/14/2024

    The King | Pelé: Dios Del Football

    The famous Brazilian footballer Pelé should never have climbed to the pinnacle of his sport. Young Edson, the kid who would become Pelé, grows up in poverty kicking around a football made of socks. And he lives in a country uncomfortable with his Black skin. Born with a dream too large for his small village to hold and the relentless determination to become the best footballer in the world, Pelé climbs from obscurity on the pitch and becomes the national treasure of his country and the game. Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    37 min

  8. 10/07/2024

    ¡Azúcar! | Celia Cruz: The Queen of Salsa

    Celia Cruz, dubbed the "Queen of Salsa" is one the the biggest Latin music stars of all time. From her humble beginnings in Cuba to her rise as a global icon, Celia’s voice and energy changed the game for Latin music. Fran and Conscious explore her journey, the racial barriers she broke, and the vibrant spirit she left behind. We’ll also dig into her strong stance against Fidel Castro, why she never returned to Cuba, and how that shaped her life and songs. ¡Azúcar! Listen to Black History, For Real on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/black-history-for-real/ now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min
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The first woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List was a Black Panther. The richest person of all time, an African king, gave away so much gold that it caused Cairo's economy to crash. A 109 year old Black woman fights for reparations for her neighborhood that was burned to the ground when she was a child. On Wondery’s history series Black History, For Real, hosts Franchesca Ramsey and Conscious Lee go beyond the stories you already know to drop you right in the mix. It’s a no-nonsense, unwhitewashed account of history’s most overlooked moments, with a mix of narrative storytelling and candid conversation. We’ll even spill the occasional historical tea! It’s all facts, no cap. Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of Black History, For Real ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.

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