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 [email protected] or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

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.

SOURCES

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 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 [email protected] or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
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)  

BONUS STORY

• To access the bonus story check out this article: Black history emerges from 1897 time capsule.
   

Episodes release bi-weekly. 

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.com
• Stay in touch at [email protected]
• Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy
• Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
• Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
• Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy 

SOURCES

1. Support the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today!
2. Check out The Colorado Statesman, archived at the Library of Congress.

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, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email [email protected] or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
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. 

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.com
• Stay in touch at [email protected]
• Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy
• Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
• Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
• Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy 
   

SOURCES

1. The Conquest: The Story of a Negro Pioneer by Oscar Micheaux
2. Oscar Micheaux Homestead National Historical Park, Pullman National Historic Park, National Park Service
3. Sully County Black Homesteader Community, Homestead National Historical Park, National Park Service
4. Oscar Micheaux, NAACP
5. Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking
6. "The life and times of Oscar Micheaux" by Mary Beth Roderick for the Southern Illinoisan
7. Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress
8. Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives.

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, check out https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

To access bonus content and support this independent production visit  https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com

To stay in touch email [email protected] or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

THE A-TEAM
The show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)
Executive Producer A.A. Hernandez
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. 

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! Starring Jonquilyn Hill.

• 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
• Connect with the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
• Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
• Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy 
• For more information about Black Storytelling Week visit https://www.blackstorytellingweek.com

SOURCES

1. "Honey for Our Friends, Stings for Enemies": William Calvin Chase and "The Washington Bee." 1882-1921
2. The Political Work of Leisure: Class, Recreation, and African American Commemoration at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 1881-1931
3. Our Kind of People by Lawrence Otis Graham
4. Check out The Washington Bee  digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.
5. As promised, the recipe for the Dick Francis Special. Enjoy! https://imbibemagazine.com/dick-francis-special

Our Ancestors Were Messy is a show about our ancestors and all their drama! Host Nichole Hill and her guests sift through the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines in historical Black newspapers.

• 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
• Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
• Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy 

The Creative Team 

• Adriana Ambriz, Executive Producer
• Chioke I'Anson, Research Producer
• Martina Abrahams Ilunga, Story Editor
• Shonte Hill, Script Editor
• Helena de Groot, Sound Designer
• John DeLore, Sound Designer
• Pat Mesiti-Miller, Sound Designer
• Kyle Murdock, Sound Designer
• Aseloka Smith, Show Art

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 breaking barriers and making history but now that Anna’s husband has discovered their secret, their futures hang in the balance. This is the love story of one of America's first Black power couples Drs. Anna and Percy Julian.

To learn more about the show visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.com

Episode sources

1. NOVA - Forgotten Genius
2. "Chemistry Dept. Shake-Up Set for June 30" (The Afro American, pg. 13)  
3. "Sues Julian for $75,000" (The Afro American, pg. 13)
4. "Julian Is Asked To Resign" (The Afro American, pg. 13)
5. "Six Vote to Keep Julian at HU" (The Afro American, pg. 1)
6. "Julian Tells of Hot Date with Germansweetie" (The Afro American, pg. 13)
7. "Julian Writes on Efficiency of Dr. Scott" (The Afro American, pg. 13)
8. "Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist’s Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee (The New York Times, February 6, 2007) 
9. "DuSable exhibit highlights Julian 'Power Couple'" by Robert Felton (Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, February 11, 2021)

The team

• Sound design and editing: JOHN DELORE
• Story editing: MARTINA ABRAHAMS ILUNGA, ASELOKA SMITH, KIA MIAKKA NATISSE 
• Guest: NYGEL TURNER
• Host, producer, creator: NICHOLE HILL