Our Ancestors Were Messy

Nichole Hill
  • 4.9 (476)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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

  1. The Lonesome Hearts Column with NPR’s Code Switch (plus an announcement!)

    SEP 3 · BONUS

    The Lonesome Hearts Column with NPR’s Code Switch (plus an announcement!)

    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! Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyFollow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    35 min
  2. Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell

    MAY 14

    Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell

    A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and an internationally renowned musical force. 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.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyFollow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Nora Holt: The Most Famous Woman You've Never Heard Of by Imani PerryNora Holt by Matthew GuerrieriNora Holt: New Negro Composer and Jazz Age Goddess by Cheryl A. Wall"Strange What Cosmopolites Music Makes of Us": Classical Music, the Black press, and Nora Douglas Holt's Black Feminist Audiotopia by Lucy Caplan

    1h 19m

  3. MAY 14 · BONUS

    Minisode #6 | What's Next for Our Ancestors Were Messy

    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

    3 min
  4. The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play

    MAY 7

    The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play

    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.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyFollow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'NeilPreserving African-American Cinema: The Case of The Emperor Jones by Jennie Saxena with contributions from Ken Weissman and James Cozart"The Truth About Haiti: An NAACP Investigation" by James Weldon JohnsonCharles Gilpin. The Kennedy CenterJackson Ward and its Black Wall Street. National Park ServiceBeyond Tulsa: The Historic Legacies and Overlooked Stories of America's Black Wall Streets. Time MagazineThe Richmond Planet is digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.

    57 min
  5. Drs. Anna and Percy Julian: The Affair That Helped Birth The Pill

    APR 23

    Drs. Anna and Percy Julian: The Affair That Helped Birth The Pill

    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.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyFollow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Julian the Trailblazer by Peter TysonForgotten Genius. Nova. PBS"Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist's Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee"DuSable Exhibit Highlights Juilan 'Power Couple'" by Robert FeltonYou 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 AmericaYou can support the archiving and sharing of this newspaper at Afro Charities

    52 min

  6. APR 16 · BONUS

    Minisode #5 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy

    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 @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

    4 min
  7. Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends

    APR 9

    Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends

    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.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyFollow the show on TikTok @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval TaylorDust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale HurstonIn Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice WalkerThe Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval TaylorCheck out The Interstate Tattler digitized and stored by the New York Public LibrariesRead the archives at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

    1h 9m

  8. APR 2 · BONUS

    Minisode #4 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy

    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 @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

    5 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
476 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Nichole Hill
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023-3023 Our Ancestors Were Messy
  • Show Website
    Our Ancestors Were Messy

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