The Unhidden Minute

Corporal Waverly B. Woodson Jr. was a courageous Black American U.S. Army medic who served with the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-black unit to land on Omaha Beach during D-Day on June 6, 1944. Amid the chaos of the invasion, Woodson displayed extraordinary bravery and resilience. Despite being wounded by shrapnel, he continued to tend to his fellow soldiers for over 30 hours. Woodson's heroism involved treating injuries, performing amputations, and resuscitating drowning men, saving an estimated 200 lives. His dedication earned him widespread admiration, yet his actions were overlooked for the Medal of Honor due to racial discrimination prevalent at the time. Instead, Woodson received the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. His legacy is a testament to the crucial yet often overlooked contributions of Black American soldiers in World War II. On June 3rd, 2024 Woodson, who died in 2005, was posthumously award the distinguished service cross.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion was a pioneering Black American unit in World War II, notable for its critical role during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. This battalion was tasked with deploying barrage balloons, which were large, hydrogen-filled balloons tethered with steel cables to deter low-flying enemy aircraft. Their deployment over Omaha and Utah Beaches provided essential protection to Allied forces during the invasion.

Comprising 1,200 men, the 320th was the only Black American unit to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Despite the dual challenges of enemy fire and racial segregation, the battalion demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery contributing to the success of the invasion.

The actions of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion were instrumental in the larger war effort, showcasing the valor and capabilities of Black American soldiers, highlighting their crucial yet often overlooked contributions to the Allied victory in World War II.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Give me a minute and let me thank you for your time. Over the last several weeks you’ve listened along to this daily series of stories that detail the often-hidden legacy of Black American history. Today we celebrate the conclusion of this enterprise with our 100th episode.

Spanning more than 400 years on the ancestral homeland of displaced native people, this expansive narrative aimed to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Black men and women toward perfecting the principles of freedom and justice upon which the United States of America was founded. Despite having been denied the benefit of these ideals for generations through racial discrimination and oppression, these remarkable individuals have demonstrated, time and time again, their steadfast determination to live up to and expand not only their own personal liberties and civil rights, but those of countless people living today and more who have yet to be born.

Thanks to the ongoing stewardship of our common heritage through the interpretation of historic sites, battlefields and monuments managed by the National Park Service, though this series now ends, the stories will continue. Thank you for listening.

I’m James Edward Mills of the Joy Trip Project and these have been, The Unhidden Minutes.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968) was a Baptist minister and civil rights leader who played a central role in the American Civil Rights Movement. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, King emerged as a prominent figure in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and subsequently became the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

King advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as strategies to combat racial segregation and achieve civil rights for Black Americans. He delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, calling for an end to racial injustice and discrimination.

Throughout his life, King led numerous campaigns and protests, including the Birmingham campaign and the Selma to Montgomery marches, which were instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Tragically, King was assassinated in 1968, but his legacy as a champion of equality, justice, and peace continues to inspire movements for social change worldwide.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States aimed at combating racial discrimination in voting practices. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, the act aimed to enforce the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race or color.

The Voting Rights Act targeted discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which had been used to disenfranchise Black American voters, particularly in Southern states. It provided federal oversight of voting practices in areas with a history of voter suppression and authorized federal authorities to intervene to protect voting rights.

The act's passage led to a significant increase in voter registration among Black Americans and other minority groups, helping to ensure greater access to the ballot box and bolstering democracy in the United States.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Malcolm X (1925–1965), born Malcolm Little, was a prominent Black American Muslim minister and human rights activist. His early life was marked by poverty and crime, but while serving a prison sentence, he became a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and adopted the name Malcolm X. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization, becoming one of its most influential leaders.

Malcolm X advocated for Black self-determination, separatism, and armed self-defense in response to racial oppression. He challenged mainstream civil rights leaders and called for more militant action to achieve equality for Black Americans.

After leaving the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X embraced Sunni Islam and moderated his views on racial separatism. He continued to speak out against racism and inequality until his assassination in 1965. His autobiography, written by Alex Haley, remains a seminal work in Black American literature and continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for social justice and civil rights.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

The Black Panther Party was a revolutionary organization founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. Born out of the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panthers aimed to combat racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic oppression faced by Black Americans.

The Black Panthers advocated for Black empowerment, self-defense, and community organizing. They established armed patrols to monitor police activity, established community programs such as free breakfast for children and health clinics and promoted political education and activism.

Despite facing government repression and surveillance, the Black Panthers gained national attention for their bold activism and advocacy. However, internal conflicts, external pressure, and government crackdowns ultimately led to the party's decline by the late 1970s.

Nevertheless, the Black Panther’s legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and empowerment within the Black community. Their contributions to the fight for civil rights and social justice continue to inspire movements for racial equality and liberation worldwide.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of theNational Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Huey P. Newton (1942–1989) was a pivotal figure in the Black Panther Party (BPP), an organization founded in 1966 to combat police brutality and promote Black empowerment. Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Newton co-founded the Black Panthers in Oakland, California, alongside Bobby Seale.

As the Black Panther’s Minister of Defense, Newton advocated armed self-defense against police violence and oppression. He emphasized the importance of Black unity and community organizing to address systemic racism and inequality.

Newton's leadership helped the BPP establish community programs such as free breakfast for children and health clinics, which provided essential services to underserved Black communities.

Despite facing legal challenges and government surveillance, Newton remained committed to social justice and activism. He continued his advocacy work after leaving the Black Panthers, focusing on issues such as drug rehabilitation and prison reform.

Newton's legacy as a revolutionary leader and civil rights activist continues to inspire movements for racial justice and equality worldwide.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Julian Bond was a prominent civil rights activist, politician, and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. Born in 1940 in Nashville, Tennessee, Bond emerged as a key figure in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination.

As a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or SNCC, Bond played a vital role in organizing sit-ins and voter registration drives throughout the South. He later served as the communications director for SNCC, helping to bring attention to the injustices faced by Black Americans.

In addition to his activism, Bond pursued a career in politics, becoming the first Black American to be nominated for Vice President by a major political party in 1968. He served for over two decades in the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate, advocating for civil rights, social justice, and equality.

Throughout his life, Bond remained a steadfast advocate for civil rights and a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. His legacy continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for racial justice and equality.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Stokely Carmichael, later known as Kwame Ture, was a prominent figure in the American Civil Rights Movement and a leader in the fight against racial injustice. Born in Trinidad in 1941, Carmichael immigrated to the United States as a child and became involved in activism while studying at Howard University.

As a leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or SNCC, Carmichael advocated for Black self-determination and popularized the slogan "Black Power." He emphasized the importance of political and economic empowerment for Black Americans and called for a more radical approach to achieving civil rights.

Carmichael's ideas and activism had a significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring Black communities to assert their rights and challenge systemic racism. Later in life, he became an advocate for Pan-Africanism and continued to fight for social justice causes until his passing in 1998. His legacy continues to influence movements for racial equality and liberation around the world.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute