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
Bonus · Wed, April 02, 2025
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.
S1 E4 · Wed, March 26, 2025
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. *Note: the episode was updated on 3.26 to add that Zora pledged Zeta! 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 the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives . The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/ ). This week's guest is Alicia Walters Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez Sound design by Kyle Murdock ( @kcreatesaudio ) 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 ) Episodes release bi-weekly.
Bonus · Wed, March 19, 2025
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 Messy.com Send your listener mail to ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com. Episodes release bi-weekly.
S1 E3 · Wed, March 12, 2025
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 the Library of Congress. The show is hosted by Nichole Hill ( @nicholewthanh ) . This week's guests are Emmanuel Dzotsi ( @newsmanual_ ), check him out on This American Life and Zakiya Gibbons ( @zak_sauce ) check her out on Hang U p. Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez Sound design by Helena de Groot ( https://www.helenadegroot.me/about) 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 ( https://www.instagram.com/naturallyherown/) Episodes release bi-weekly.
Bonus · Wed, March 05, 2025
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.
S1 E2 · Wed, February 26, 2025
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/ . For more information about That Wasn't In My Textbook visit https://www.thatwasntinmytextbook.com/ . Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress. Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives . The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/ ). This week's guest is Dr. Ray Christian ( @raychristian ). Check him out on his podcast What's Ray Saying ? Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez Sound design by Kyle Murdock ( @kcreatesaudio ) Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga ( @m_tina ) Research Producer Chioke I'Anson ( https://www.chiokeianson.com/ ) Story Editing by Shonte Hill Episodes release bi-weekly.
Bonus · Wed, February 19, 2025
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.helenadegroot.me/about)Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga (@m_tina)Research Producer Chioke I'Anson (https://www.chiokeianson.com/)Story Editing by Shonte Hill Episodes release bi-weekly.
S1 E1 · Wed, February 12, 2025
"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 stored at The Library of Congress. The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/ ). This week's guest is Jonquilyn Hill ( @jonquilynhill ) Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez Sound design by Helena de Groot ( https://www.helenadegroot.me/about) Story Producer Martina Abrahams Ilunga ( @m_tina ) Research Producer Chioke I'Anson ( https://www.chiokeianson.com/ ) Story Editing by Shonte Hill As promised, the recipe for the Dick Francis Special. Enjoy! https://imbibemagazine.com/dick-francis-special/ Episodes release bi-weekly.
Trailer · Sat, January 25, 2025
Introducing: Our Ancestors Were Messy (Coming Feb. 12th)
New episodes air February 12th. For more info and to sign up for the newsletter visit ourancestorsweremessy.com.
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