9 episodes

Objects hold history. They're evocative of stories stamped in time. As part of The Washington Post's coverage of the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture, people submitted dozens of objects that make up their own lived experiences of black history, creating a "people's museum" of personal objects, family photos and more. The Historically Black podcast brings those objects and their stories to life through interviews, archival sound and music. The Washington Post and APM Reports are proud to collaborate in presenting these rich personal histories, along with hosts Keegan-Michael Key, Roxane Gay, Issa Rae and Another Round hosts Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton.

Historically Black APM Reports & The Washington Post

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 244 Ratings

Objects hold history. They're evocative of stories stamped in time. As part of The Washington Post's coverage of the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture, people submitted dozens of objects that make up their own lived experiences of black history, creating a "people's museum" of personal objects, family photos and more. The Historically Black podcast brings those objects and their stories to life through interviews, archival sound and music. The Washington Post and APM Reports are proud to collaborate in presenting these rich personal histories, along with hosts Keegan-Michael Key, Roxane Gay, Issa Rae and Another Round hosts Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton.

    Black Love Stories

    Black Love Stories

    This episode spotlights stories of enduring love among African American couples. We dive into the history of marriage among black Americans -- including the time when it was illegal for slaves to wed. We also explore why it matters that these stories are visible in pop culture.

    • 22 min
    The Path to Founding an HBCU

    The Path to Founding an HBCU

    Born into slavery, William Hooper Councill founded one of the nation's first HBCUs, Alabama A&M University. Negotiating the racial politics of Reconstruction and the dawn of Jim Crow was dangerous work. Councill was a peer of Booker T. Washington's and is remembered for his accommodating stance toward whites. His complicated story helps us understand the times he lived in and the legacy of HBCUs.

    • 14 min
    The Question of Black Identity

    The Question of Black Identity

    Racial identity in the U.S. is complicated because race is an invented category rooted in slavery. This episode explores the question of black identity in America through the voices of four people who, at one time or another, have had to answer the question: What are you?

    • 23 min
    Harlem Through James Van Der Zee's Lens

    Harlem Through James Van Der Zee's Lens

    James Van Der Zee was a celebrated African American photographer who documented black New York for much of the 20th century. Van Der Zee was New York's leading black photographer during the Harlem Renaissance. His images emphasized the dignity, beauty and prosperity of black people at a time when the dominant culture didn't.

    • 17 min
    The Fiddler who Charmed Missouri

    The Fiddler who Charmed Missouri

    A young musician and actor discovers that his great, great grandfather was Bill Driver, a celebrated fiddler in Missouri. Family members recall how his fiddle playing often brought blacks and whites together at country dances and fiddle contests, and describe his legacy today. The family's story also highlights the complicated nature of inter-racial mixing in the Jim Crow era.

    • 22 min
    Tracking Down a Slave's Bill of Sale

    Tracking Down a Slave's Bill of Sale

    Members of an extended Tennessee family talk about their great, great grandfather, a slave owned by his white, biological father. After emancipation, their ancestor managed to buy a farm. Family members reflect on the strength it took to survive slavery and to prosper in the years that followed.

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
244 Ratings

244 Ratings

Phantom Gypsy ,

Want to Learn More Stories

I love hearing different perspectives on cultures that I am not aware of and/or grew up in. I would love more episodes to learn more fascinating stories on the side of history that rarely gets talked about.

c18! ,

Top-notch

I wish there were more episodes!

Nik2u ,

More please

Make more content!!

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