The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with Tressie McMillan Cottom

   Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillian Cottom taped live on Juneteenth at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU in Richmond, VA. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Sign up for the newsletter and learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com Stay in touch at [email protected] Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SELECT SOURCES The Black Loyalists of the American Revolution Enslaved by George Washington, This Man Escaped to Freedom-and Joined the British Army Black Loyalists Exodus to Nova Scotia An Account of the Life of Mr. David George from SLA given by himself George Liele Thomas Peters The Black Loyalist Heritage Center

   July 08, 2026·1h 39min
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   Number 2: 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. Starring Alicia Walters. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at [email protected] Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Follow the show on TikTok @ourancestorsweremessy Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker The Dinner Party That Started the Harlem Renaissance by Veronica Chambers and Michelle May-Curry The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston Jackson's classic collection of Black "toasts" is resurrected by Patricia Donovan Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from Black Oral Tradition by Bruce Jackson Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives

   March 26, 2025·56min
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   Number 3: 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. Starring Zakiya Gibbons and Emmanuel Dzotsi.Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at [email protected] 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 SOURCESSupport the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today!Check out The Colorado Statesman, archived at the Library of Congress.

   March 12, 2025·51min
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   Number 4: Oscar Micheaux: 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. Starring Dr. Ray Christian.Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at [email protected] 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 SOURCESThe Conquest: The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Oscar MicheauxOscar Micheaux Homestead National Historical Park, Pullman National Historic Park, National Park ServiceSully County Black Homesteader Community, Homestead National Historical Park, National Park ServiceOscar Micheaux, NAACPOscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking"The life and times of Oscar Micheaux" by Mary Beth Roderick for the Southern IllinoisanCheck out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of CongressRead the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives.

   February 26, 2025·1h 12min
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   Number 5: 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 [email protected] 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 SOURCESJulian 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

   April 23, 2025·53min
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