The Unhidden Minute

Born into slavery in 1838, Bass Reeves emerged as one of the most legendary lawmen of the American West. After the Civil War, Reeves, who had many talents including marksmanship and tracking, became a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), making him one of the first Black federal law enforcement officers west of the Mississippi River.

Reeves' career was marked by his exceptional abilities as a tracker and his fearlessness in the face of danger. He often pursued outlaws alone, traversing the rugged terrain of the frontier on horseback. His reputation for capturing fugitives and enforcing the law with integrity and fairness earned him respect throughout the region.

Despite facing racial prejudice, Reeves became a legendary figure, apprehending over 3,000 criminals during his career, including notorious outlaws such as Belle Starr. He was known for his keen intelligence, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication to justice. It’s believed that he was the model for the fictional law man known as the Lone Ranger.

Learn more about about the legacy of Black Cowboys in this review in Outside Magazine on the film High Horse, from executive producer Jordan Peele. https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/high-horse-black-cowboy/

The Joy Trip Project celebrates American history with the stories remarkable features of our past that are too often forgotten. 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 men and women who helped to shape the progress of our nation.

#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.

Paul Laurence Dunbar was an influential Black American poet, novelist, and playwright who rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, Dunbar was the son of formerly enslaved parents and displayed a talent for writing from a young age.

Dunbar gained widespread acclaim for his poetry, which skillfully blended African American dialect with traditional English verse forms. His works explored themes of race, identity, love, and the human condition, earning him recognition as one of the foremost literary figures of his time. Despite facing racial discrimination and limited opportunities, Dunbar published numerous collections of poetry, including "Oak and Ivy" and "Lyrics of Lowly Life," which garnered critical praise and helped establish him as a leading voice in American literature.

Dunbar is believed to be the first Black American to earn a living as a writer. In 1962 his home in Dayton became the first national landmark dedicated to honor a Black American.

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

Founded in 1877, the town of Nicodemus, Kansas was a beacon of hope and self-determination for Black Americans during the post-Civil War era of Reconstruction. Part of the larger Exoduster movement, through which thousands of Black Americans migrated westward in search of land, freedom, and economic opportunity, the settlers of Nicodemus established a thriving community centered around agriculture, education, and entrepreneurship.

Managed by the National Park Service, today this site preserves numerous buildings and artifacts that offer insight into the daily lives and struggles of Nicodemus residents. It is only remaining town west of the Mississippi River founded by Black Americans during Reconstruction.

Through educational programs, exhibits, and guided tours, the Nicodemus National Historic Sitecommemorates the enduring legacy of Black American pioneers who carved out a place for themselves in the American West, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of our nation's history.

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

Give me a minute and let me tell you a story.  From its very beginning, the United States of America has been built upon the dedicated efforts of remarkable human beings. Our history is a conglomeration of the deeds and achievements of countless individuals whose contributions to the enduring legacy of our less than perfect union must be acknowledged. That includes those who identify as Black indigenous or persons of color. In celebration of our shared national heritage, The Joy Trip Project is sharing a series of narratives that detail the contributions of Black Americans to our collective history. As part of a National Geographic explorers grant from the National Geographic Society in cooperation with the  National Park Servicethis series details the stories of those pivotal characters and events in our past that are often overlooked ignored or even hidden. Hosted by James Edward Mills, the series delivers each day a compelling audio story via podcast in about 60 seconds. Each narrative offers a brief glimpse into the life and times of Black men and women who have shaped our cultural identity. The series is called the Unhidden Minute. I hope you'll join us. Please subscribe today.

During the Great Depression from 1933 to 1936 a racially integrated unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps known as Company 818 built a series of trails through Grand Canyon National Park. Established to provide financial security for the unemployed, the CCC helped its participants learn valuable trade skills while protecting the integrity of the natural environment. But Black members of Company 818 faced additional challenges compared to their white counterparts due to pervasive racism. They often encountered segregated living quarters, unequal treatment, and limited opportunities for advancement. But these men persevered and made significant contributions to various conservation projects. A man named John Scotts was a prominent leader of Company 818 who not only rallied the spirits and enthusiasm of his compatriots but was credited with saving the lives of new recruits by pulling them from path of falling rocks. This crew built the Colorado River Trail, which still stands today.

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

Buck C. Franklin was a prominent attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma through the 1920s. He played a significant role in advocating for the rights of Black Americans during a time of deep segregation and racial tension. Born in Homer Oklahoma in 1879, Franklin moved to Tulsa in 1921, just before the infamous Tulsa Race Massacre. Beginning on May 29th of that year, more than 300 people were murdered in a wave of racial violence that lasted two days. Franklin and his family had managed to survive the horrific events in the prosperous Greenwood district known as Black Wall Street. But they were among the thousands of people whose homes were destroyed by a white mob. In the aftermath of the carnage, the Tulsa City Council passed an ordinance that restricted the Black people of Tulsa from rebuilding their community. Instead, the city planned to rezone the area from a residential to a commercial district. Franklin led the legal battle against this ordinance and sued the city of Tulsa before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where he was successful. Thanks to his efforts, the Black residents of Tulsa were able to rebuild, but without the benefit of insurance or reparations.

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

Charles Young, born in 1864 to enslaved parents in Kentucky, became the third Black American to graduate from West Point Military Academy in 1889. Throughout his military career, he faced discrimination but persevered, eventually becoming the highest-ranking Black American officer in the United States Army at the time.

In 1903 while serving as a Captain of an all-Black regiment of the 9th U.S. Cavalry at the Presidio in San Francisco, Young was appointed to oversee the management of Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks as superintendent. Following this deployment, he practiced his skills as a diplomat, linguist, and scholar, fluent in multiple languages including French, German, and Spanish. His assignments took him around the world, including serving as a military attaché in Haiti and Liberia. Through the Mexican American War in 1916, Young Served in active combat in the battle to defeat the rebel leader Poncho Villa. While serving as an attaché to Nigeria, he died suddenly of kidney disease in 1922 at the age of 58. In honor of his distinguished career, on November 1, 2021, Charles Young was promoted posthumously to the rank of Brigadier General.

Illustration by Nate Taylor

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 of The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 stands as one of the most devastating episodes of racial violence in American history. Occurring in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a prosperous African American community known as "Black Wall Street," the massacre was sparked by an allegation of a black man assaulting a white woman.

In the ensuing chaos, a white mob, deputized by local authorities, looted and burned businesses, homes, and churches, leaving an estimated 300 dead and thousands homeless. The violence was marked by indiscriminate shootings and the use of airplanes dropping incendiary devices on the neighborhood.

The aftermath was marked by a concerted effort to cover up the event, with survivors silenced and records of the massacre suppressed for decades. The economic and psychological impact on the black community was profound, as Greenwood was left in ruins and its inhabitants faced systemic discrimination and economic disenfranchisement.

It was not until recent years that efforts to acknowledge and reckon with the atrocity gained traction, with calls for reparations and greater recognition of the massacre's significance in American history.

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 Harlem Renaissance was a vibrant cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in the 1920s within the Black American community in the burrow of Harlem in New York City. This period marked a profound shift in the cultural landscape, as Black American artists, writers, musicians, and intellectuals flourished, challenging societal norms and stereotypes while celebrating their heritage.

Literature played a central role in the Harlem Renaissance, with writers such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay. Music was another vital component of this era as works of jazz, blues, and gospel became synonymous with the era, providing a soundtrack for the social and cultural upheaval taking place. Legendary musicians like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Bessie Smith emerged during this time, elevating Black American musical traditions to new heights of artistry and sophistication.

By asserting their cultural and artistic prowess, Black Americans laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

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 54th Massachusetts Regiment was one of the most renowned Black American units to serve in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Organized in 1863, the regiment was composed primarily of free Black men from Massachusetts and other Northern states. Under the leadership of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th Massachusetts became a symbol of Black American valor and determination in the fight against slavery and oppression.

The regiment's most famous moment came during the assault on Fort Wagner near Charleston, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863. Despite facing heavy casualties and intense enemy fire, the 54th Massachusetts displayed extraordinary courage and perseverance. Though they were unable to capture the fort, their bravery and sacrifice earned them widespread acclaim. Through their example of courage more than 180,000 Black men joined the Union Army to Defeat the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln credited these men of color with turning the tide of the war.

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