In this inspiring episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh shares the remarkable life story of Andrew Jackson Beard—a formerly enslaved man whose brilliance and determination forever changed railroad safety.

Born into slavery in Alabama, Beard taught himself multiple trades and became an inventor who refused to accept the dangers around him as “just the way things were.” After losing a leg in a devastating railroad accident, he transformed his personal tragedy into purpose by creating the revolutionary Jenny Coupler—an automatic railroad car-coupling device that saved countless lives and helped pave the way for the Federal Safety Appliance Act.

Beard’s legacy lives on through safer railroads, groundbreaking innovation, and his induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

This episode explores how perseverance, curiosity, and creativity can turn pain into protection—and how one person’s idea can impact generations.

#OnceUponATimeInBlackHistory

In this episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh explores the remarkable life of Granville Woods—a self-taught inventor whose brilliance helped transform railroad safety and modern communication.

Born in 1856 during a time of extreme racial barriers, Granville Woods never let limited access to formal education stop him. Through curiosity, hands-on learning, and relentless experimentation, he became a pioneer in electrical and communication technology. His groundbreaking inventions allowed moving trains to communicate with one another and with stations, dramatically reducing accidents and improving efficiency.

Often called “The Black Edison,” Woods earned more than 60 patents and fought tirelessly to receive credit for his work in the face of discrimination. From safer rail travel to advances in long-distance communication, his legacy still shapes the connected world we live in today.

Tune in to learn how Granville Woods proved that innovation has no limits—and why his story still matters.

#GranvilleWoods

Born into slavery, Harriet refused to believe that her life was meant to be lived in chains. After escaping to freedom herself, she made a bold and dangerous choice: she went back. Again and again. As a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Harriet guided enslaved people through darkness, forests, rivers, and fear—using the North Star, secret songs, and unwavering faith to lead them to freedom.

You will learn how Harriet carried out daring nighttime rescues, completed around 13 missions, and safely guided nearly 70 people to freedom—without ever losing a single passenger. We also explore her role during the Civil War, where she became the first woman in U.S. history to plan and lead an armed military rescue during the Combahee River Raid.

This episode isn’t just about history—it’s about bravery, leadership, and believing in the power of one determined person to change the world. Harriet Tubman shows us that courage doesn’t mean being fearless; it means moving forward even when fear is present.

#HarrietTubman

#AfricanAmericanHistory

In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, we explore the extraordinary life of Thomas Fuller, the enslaved West African man known as “The Virginia Calculator.” Kidnapped at 14 and denied any formal education, Fuller astonished everyone with his ability to perform massive calculations entirely in his mind.

Abolitionists later tested him with enormous math problems to disprove racist beliefs about African intelligence. Fuller solved them instantly, even correcting the testers when they forgot to count leap years. His brilliance became undeniable evidence that genius is not limited by race, circumstance, or access to schooling.

Join us as we honor Thomas Fuller’s legacy and celebrate his remarkable contribution to history.

#ThomasFuller #VirginiaCalculator #BlackHistory #AfricanGenius #HiddenFigures #MentalMath #AfricanHistory #BlackExcellence #OnceUponATimeInBlackHistory #HistoryPodcast #STEMHistory #AbolitionistHistory #MathematicalGenius #WestAfricanHistory #UnsungHeroes

In this episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, Tamara Shiloh uncovers the story of Phillip Bell Downing — the African American inventor who transformed communication with his secure, weather-proof “street letter box.”

Discover how a simple idea from a determined postal worker in the 1890s made sending mail safer, more accessible, and more reliable for everyone. Downing’s invention still stands on street corners today, quietly shaping how we connect.

Tune in and be inspired by the brilliance behind the everyday blue mailbox.

#BlackHistory #OnceUponATimeInBlackHistory #PhillipDowning #BlackInventors

In this episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh shines a light on Valerie L. Thomas, the brilliant mind behind NASA’s “Illusion Transmitter” — a groundbreaking invention that paved the way for 3D imaging technology.

From her childhood curiosity in Baltimore to becoming one of NASA’s most innovative scientists, Valerie’s journey is one of persistence, imagination, and quiet revolution. As one of the few women—and even fewer Black women—in physics during the 1960s, she not only helped translate satellite data into vital Earth imagery but also reimagined how humans could see and share information.

Discover how Valerie’s creativity helped shape the world of imaging—on Earth and beyond—and how her legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists and dreamers alike.

In this episode, we celebrate the ingenuity of J.W. Smith—also known as Joseph H. Smith—the African-American inventor who transformed home gardening with the creation of the modern lawn sprinkler. In 1897, Smith patented the first rotary head lawn sprinkler, a simple yet revolutionary device that made watering lawns more efficient and accessible for homeowners and gardeners alike.

Discover how Smith’s invention not only saved time, effort, and water but also became a staple in homes, parks, and gardens across America. Though much of his personal story remains untold, his innovation stands as a testament to the creativity and perseverance of Black inventors whose contributions continue to shape our everyday lives.

🎧 Tune in to learn how one man’s idea changed the way we care for our lawns—and helped make our communities greener, one invention at a time.

Before Central Park became the iconic green heart of New York City, a thriving community once stood there — Seneca Village, a settlement founded by free African Americans in the 1820s. In this episode of Once Upon a Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh uncovers the story of this remarkable neighborhood — a place where Black families, along with Irish and German immigrants, built homes, churches, and schools, and created a safe, self-sustaining community in a time of deep racial inequality.

Learn how Seneca Village gave its residents not only a home, but also the right to vote and a sense of dignity — until the city’s plan for Central Park brought it all to an end. Though erased for more than a century, the legacy of Seneca Village endures through the artifacts, stories, and memories that continue to resurface today.

Join us as we rediscover this lost piece of history and honor the resilience of those who made Seneca Village a symbol of hope and self-determination.

#BlackHistory #SenecaVillage #CentralPark #TamaraShiloh #OnceUponATimeInBlackHistory #HiddenHistory #NYCHistory

In this episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh takes us back to the 1700s and the remarkable story of Fort Mose—America’s first legally sanctioned free Black settlement. Just north of St. Augustine, Florida, Fort Mose offered freedom, safety, and community to those who escaped slavery in the British colonies and found refuge under Spanish rule.

Discover how formerly enslaved Africans built lives as free men and women, defended their settlement with courage during war, and left behind a legacy that challenges the very foundation of slavery in America. From its beginnings in 1738 to its rediscovery centuries later, Fort Mose stands as a testament to resilience, hope, and the enduring fight for freedom.

#FortMose #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #OnceUponATimeInBlackHistory #TamaraShiloh #FirstFreeBlackSettlement #FloridaHistory #StAugustineHistory #SpanishFlorida #FreedomFighters #BlackMilitia #FranciscoMenendez #BloodyMose #HistoricFortMose #BlackHeritage #UntoldHistory #ResilienceAndHope #HiddenHistory #NationalHistoricLandmark

In this episode of Once Upon A Time in Black History, host Tamara Shiloh takes us into the world of space science with Dr. Patricia S. Cowings—the first African American woman trained as a scientist astronaut by NASA. Affectionately nicknamed the “Baroness of Barf,” Dr. Cowings revolutionized astronaut training by developing biofeedback techniques that helped astronauts conquer space motion sickness—one of the most dangerous challenges in orbit.

From her upbringing in the Bronx to breaking barriers at NASA, Dr. Cowings’ journey is a story of brilliance, resilience, and determination. Discover how she turned skepticism into respect, opened doors for future scientists, and proved that education and perseverance can take you all the way to the stars.

Join us as we celebrate the groundbreaking career of Patricia Cowings—scientist, pioneer, and trailblazer.