Noire History

A review of "Booker's Place", a documentary about Booker Wright, a waiter in Greenwood, Mississippi who participated in an NBC documentary about his experiences as a black man living in the South under Jim Crow. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/bookers-place-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about Denver's first recorded Black woman who became an entrepreneur and helped other Black people move west and settle in Colorado, then my Clara Brown Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/clara-brown.

"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams is a novel about a young Black woman in her mid-20s who was born and raised in London. The story follows her through the ups and downs of a year of her life, much of it spurred on by her relationship drama and personal issues. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/queenie-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the Harlem Renaissance writer and poet who set himself apart from his contemporaries by focusing on both race relations and classism, then my Claude McKay Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/claude-mckay.

A review of "Higher Learning", a 1995 film directed by John Singleton that provides a look into the social, racial, and gender politics of a college campus. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/higher-learning-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the entrepreneur who built a hair care company that made her the first Black female millionaire, then my Madam C.J. Walker Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/madam-c-j-walker.

A review of "Finding Me: A Memoir" by Viola Davis, an account of the actress' personal and professional life. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/finding-me-a-memoir-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the enslaved man who worked for the Continental Army as a double agent, then my James Armistead Lafayette Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/james-armistead-lafayette.

A review of "3 ½ Minutes, Ten Bullets", a 2015 Sundance-winning documentary that tells the story of the shooting death of Jordan Davis in Jacksonville, Florida. To be more precise, the documentary dives into the events leading up to the murder of Jordan Davis and the resulting trial of Michael Dunn. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/3-12-minutes-ten-bullets-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the Los Angeles real estate investor and philanthropist who began as an enslaved woman petitioning for her freedom, then my Bridget "Biddy" Mason Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/bridget-biddy-mason.

A review of "When No One Is Watching" by Alyssa Cole, a thriller and romance about gentrification in a fictional neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/when-no-one-is-watching-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the entrepreneur who founded the first Black record label and created a pathway for Black musicians to enter the record industry, then my Harry Pace Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/harry-pace.

A review of "Cooley High", a classic in the Black film canon that sets itself apart as one of the few true Black coming-of-age films. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/cooley-high-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the writer and activist who penned the essay "The Master's Tools Will Not Dismantle the Master's House", one of the first works to discuss the intersectional issues of race, gender, and sexual orientation, then my Audre Lorde Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/audre-lorde.

A review of "Will" by Will Smith an autobiography about the rapper and actor that charts his life from a childhood in West Philadelphia to being a Hollywood megastar. It's an unexpectedly candid account of the ups and downs in Smith's life that led to me finishing the book with a different perspective of the man and insightful questions for myself. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/will-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the Black pioneer in the field of marine biology who conducted important research into egg fertilization and embryo development, then my Ernest Everett Just Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ernest-everett-just.

I've decided to take a break for at least the next week. I'll drop an update should the break extend beyond a week.

A review of "In Our Mothers' Gardens", is a 2021 film directed by Shantrelle P. Lewis about the relationships between Black grandmothers, mothers, and daughters. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/in-our-mothers-garden-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black woman in America to receive an M.D. and one of the first Black authors to write a medical guide, then my Rebecca Lee Crumpler Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/rebecca-lee-crumpler.

A review of "Memphis" by Tara Stringfellow which is at its core a book about family. The family we're born into but also our community. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/memphis-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the poet, novelist, and playwright who helped to originate the style of poetry referred to as jazz poetry, then my Langston Hughes Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/langston-hughes.

A review of "Crooklyn", a coming-of-age story about a girl, Troy, who is growing up in Brooklyn, the only girl in a family with four brothers. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/crooklyn-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about a teacher, artist, and activist who used her art to comment on social issues, then my Elizabeth Catlett Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/elizabeth-catlett.

A review of "Just Pursuit" by Laura Coates is a memoir about a black female prosecutor and her time at the Department of Justice. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/just-pursuit-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about a thriving predominantly Black settlement that was destroyed to make way for the creation of Central Park, then my Seneca Village Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/seneca-village.

A review of "LA 92", a 2017 documentary about the racial tensions that erupted into riots in Los Angeles in 1992. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/la-92-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about an activist and entertainer who in addition to being one of the first Black movie stars was also the first person to have a platinum album, the first Black person to win an Emmy, and the first Black television producer, then my Harry Belafonte Black Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/harry-belafonte.

A review of "Yonder" by Jabari Asim, a fictional slave narrative that tells the story of a group of friends who seek love and share typical relationships that we might take for granted Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/yonder-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black American prima donna to establish an international profile and perform in the Deep South, then my Leontyne Price Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/leontyne-price.

A review of "Respect", a 2021 film starring Jennifer Hudson as she portrays Aretha Franklin in a biopic about the life and career of the iconic singer and musician. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/respect-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black cowboy star and the creator of what would become steer wrestling, then my William "Bill" Pickett Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/william-bill-pickett.

Just a heads up, I'll be taking a two week break but will return with new content on April 12th. Until then, take care.

A review of "Just As I Am" a memoir about the long and storied life of legendary actress Cicely Tyson. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/just-as-i-am-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black child to integrate an elementary school in the South, then my Ruby Bridges Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ruby-bridges.

A review of Toni Morrison's "The Pieces I Am", a 2019 documentary about the life and literary career of Toni Morrison. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/pieces-i-am_movie_review.

If you're interested in learning about a woman who headed West during the Gold Rush but sought to increase her wealth by providing resources and services that the miners would need, then my Mary Ellen Pleasant Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/mary-ellen-pleasant.

A review of "Take My Hand" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez which tells the story of a recently graduated nurse who learns about an unethical medical program and becomes a whistleblower. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/take-my-hand-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about an obstetrician and activist who led initiatives to increase access to healthcare for underserved Black communities, then my Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/dorothy-celeste-boulding-ferebee/.

A review of "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise", the first feature documentary about the life and legacy of Maya Angelou. http://noirehistoir.com/blog/and-still-i-rise-movie-review

If you're interested in learning about the sculptor of Black and Native American descent whose work was among the first to achieve international recognition. then my Edmonia Lewis Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/edmonia-lewis.

A review of "The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois" by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, an epic saga that tells the story of several generations of a Black family from a small fictional town in Georgia. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/love-songs-of-web-du-bois-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the entrepreneur and activist who established America's first fine dining restaurant and helped launch the movement to desegregate New York City's trolleys then my Thomas Downing Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/thomas-downing.

A review of "High on the Hog", a 2021 Netflix documentary about how Black American food culture and styles of cooking developed and provided the foundation for much of America's food culture. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/high-on-the-hog-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the journalist who launched the Campaign Against Lynching and helped establish the NAACP, then my Ida B. Wells-Barnett Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ida-b-wells.

I planned to release new episodes this week but had a family member suddenly become gravely ill. If possible, I'll try to get them out later this week but it might not be until next week.

A review of "Black Love Matters", an anthology of essays about Black readers, writers, characters, and stories as they relate to the romance genre of books. Show notes and are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/black-love-matters-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the violent overthrow of Wilmington, North Carolina's integrated government, then my Wilmington Coup Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/wilmington-coup.

A review of "Hotel Rwanda", a 2004 film about a Hutu hotel manager who wheels and deals to hide 1000 Tutsi at a luxury hotel in the midst of the 1994 Rwandan conflict. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/hotel-rwanda-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the painter who used art to tell the story of important figures and events from Black history and created "The Great Migration" series, then my Jacob Lawrence Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/jacob-lawrence.

A review of "They Can't Kill Us All" by Wesley Lowery which details incidents of police and White vigilante shootings of Black people in America. It also discusses the rise of the Movement in response to the killings of unarmed Black people. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/they-cant-kill-us-all-book-review.