Our Ancestors Were Messy - podcast cover

Our Ancestors Were Messy

Our Ancestors Were Messy, is a podcast covering the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines in the Black newspapers of segregated communities during the pre-Civil Rights era. On each episode, host Nichole Hill and her guests follow the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Hill and her guests learn the mess - and eventual history - their ancestors make along the way. Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh

Episodes

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 access bonus content and support this independent production visit Our Ancestors Were Messy.Supercast.com . Follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, visit Our Ancestors Were Messy.com Send your messy family story to ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com....

Apr 02, 20255 min

Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever

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. 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/ . Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress. Read th...

Mar 26, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 4

Minisode #3 | Coming up on Our Ancestors Were Messy

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 access bonus content and support this independent production visit Our Ancestors Were Messy.Supercast.com . To access the bonus story check out this article: Black history emerges from 1897 time capsule . Follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram. To learn more about the show and keep in touch, visit Our Ancestors Were Mes...

Mar 19, 20256 min

A Love Story for the Ages!

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. 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 Support the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today! Check out The Colorado Statesman , archived at t...

Mar 12, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 3

Minisode #2 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy

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, visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.com/. To access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com/. Follow @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram. Send your listener mail to ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com. Episodes release bi-weekly....

Mar 05, 20255 min

Oscar Micheaux and the Family Feud That Launched Black Hollywood

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. 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/ . F...

Feb 26, 20251 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 2

Minisode #1 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy

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, visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.com/. To access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com/. Follow @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram. The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)Executive Producer A.A. HernandezSound design by Helena de Groot (https://www.helenad...

Feb 19, 20253 min

"Stings for Our Enemies. Honey for Our Friends."

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! 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/ . For more information about Black Storytelling Week visit https://www.blackstorytellingweek.com/. Check out The Washington Bee digitized and sto...

Feb 12, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 1