Noire History

If you're interested in learning about the folk musician who some referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement", then my Odetta Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/odetta/

A review of "Descendant", a 2022 documentary about the past and present history of the Clotilda and Africatown. http://noirehistoir.com/blog/descendant-movie-review

If you're interested in learning about the first recorded person to reach the North Pole, then my Matthew Henson Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/matthew-henson.

"Song Yet Sung" by James McBride is a story about the Underground Railroad but also much more. The story takes place in 1850 about a decade before the start of the Civil War and follows a young woman, Liz Spocott, who has escaped from the plantation where she grew up. What follows is a thrilling chase and scavenger hunt of sorts as Liz seeks to understand the code of the Underground Railroad in hopes of escaping the pursuing bounty hunters. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/song-yet-sung-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the second Black woman to receive a doctorate, the first Black person to receive a doctorate in economics, and the first Black woman to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Law, be admitted to Pennsylvania's state bar, and obtain both a Ph.D. and J.D. My Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/sadie-tanner-mossell-alexander.

Just a heads up. I'll be taking a break from releasing new episodes to enjoy the holidays and work on new content. I hope your holidays are safe and happy.

A review of "Blood Diamond", a 2006 Edward Zwick-directed film set in war-torn 1990s Sierre Leone about a large and potentially life-changing diamond. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/black-titan-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the anti-apartheid activist who won the 1984 Nobel Prize for Peace, then my Desmond Tutu Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/desmond-tutu.

A review of "Black Titan: A.G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire" by Carol Jenkins and Elizabeth Gardner Hines tells the story of an entrepreneur who became the first or one of the first Black millionaires in America. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/black-titan-book-review.

A profile of Alice Allison Dunnigan, a journalist and educator who was the first Black woman to receive press credentials to cover the White House and Congress. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/alice-allison-dunnigan.

A review of "Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don't Know Me", an inspirational 2018 documentary directed by Olivia Lichtenstein about the life and career of the legendary R&B singer. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/teddy-pendergrass-if-you-dont-know-me-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about an enslaved young man who became one of the first Black Harvard Law School grads and went on to become a lawyer, activist, and diplomat, then my Archibald Henry Grimké Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/archibald-henry-grimke.

A review of "The Darkest Child" by Delores Phillips, a novel about a preteen coming of age in a dysfunctional home and community with dreams of escaping both by obtaining an education. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/darkest-child-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the first Black woman and likely the first Black person to be a principal in America, then my Fanny Jackson Coppin Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/fanny-jackson-coppin.

A review of "Hollywood Shuffle", a 1987 satirical film directed by Robert Townsend that uses comedy to provide commentary on the stereotypical roles and portrayals of Black people in film and television. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/hollywood-shuffle-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the fourth Black cadet to graduate from West Point who went on to become the commander of the Tuskegee Airmen and the first Black general in the US Air Force, then my Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/benjamin-o-davis-jr.

A review of "The Lynching: The Epic Courtroom Battle That Brought Down the Klan" by Laurence Leamer which details the murder of Michael Donald and the criminal and civil trials that followed. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/the-lynching-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the deadliest riot in American history which was caused in part by a military draft and fears of job competition from emancipated slaves, then my New York Draft Riots Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/new-york-draft-riots/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=bhf_new_york_draft_riots.

During the month of November, I'm going to be experimenting with a few minor tweaks to the show. One of the first changes is putting out the Black History Facts episode on Wednesday rather than Tuesday. So while there is no new episode today it will be out tomorrow. I'll wait to see how things go to determine if the change will be permanent or temporary.

A review of "Till", a 2022 new release directed by Chinonye Chukwu about the lynching of Emmett Till and his mother's fight to get justice for his murder. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/till-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the psychologist who helped design "The Doll Test" and co-founded the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, then my Mamie Phipps Clark Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/mamie-phipps-clark/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=bhf_mamie_phipps_clark.

A review of "Black Hollywood: They've Gotta Have Us", a three-part television miniseries about the history of Black actors and filmmakers in Hollywood. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/black-hollywood-theyve-gotta-have-us-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the original architect of Howard University Law School's curriculum and the NAACP's strategy to fight education segregation in the courts, then my Charles Hamilton Houston Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/charles-hamilton-houston.

A review of "Kindred", a 1979 novel by Octavia Butler that blends science fiction with historical fiction by combining time travel with slave narratives. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/kindred-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the Ghanaian writer who was the first African woman dramatist to be published, then my Ama Ata Aidoo Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ama-ata-aidoo.

A review of "One Night in Miami", directed by Regina King which depicts a fictional meeting of Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/one-night-in-miami-movie-review/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=one_night_in_miami_movie_review.

If you're interested in learning about the UN Secretary-General who shared a Nobel Peace Prize with the organization, then my Kofi Annan Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/kofi-annan

I'll be taking the week of 09/25 off while I work on content for the upcoming quarter. I'm also working on launching a second podcast so stay tuned. New episodes of Noire Histoir will resume on 10/04/2022.

A review of "The True History of Paradise" by Margaret Cezair-Thompson which tells the history of Jamaica through the lives and experiences of a fictional character and her family. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/true-history-of-paradise-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the artist who painted First Lady Michelle Obama's official portrait, then my Amy Sherald Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/amy-sherald/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=amy_sherald.

A review of "Through a Lens Darkly", a 2014 documentary directed by Thomas Allen Harris about the history of Black people in America both in front and behind the lens. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/through-a-lens-darkly-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the civil rights attorney who represented Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin as well as the victims of the Tuskegee experiment, then my Fred Gray Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/fred-gray.

A review of "White Rage" by Carol Anderson which examines the reality that Black efforts at progress and achievement are often met with resistance and retrenchment of obstacles. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/white-rage-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the author and educator who penned "The Salt Eaters" as well as two critically acclaimed volumes of short stories, then my Toni Cade Bambara Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/toni-cade-bambara

A review of "Beasts of No Nation" a 2015 Netflix film based on Uzodinma Iweala's 2005 novel about a boy who becomes a child soldier. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/beasts-of-no-nation-movie-review/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=beasts_of_no_nation_movie_review.

If you're interested in learning about the inventor who developed the mobile refrigeration device that made it possible to efficiently transport food long distances, then my Frederick McKinley Jones Black History Facts profile is for you.

A review of "The Death of Vivek Oji", a novel that examines gender identity and cultural norms. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/death-of-vivek-oji-book-review

If you're interested in learning about the Nigerian author who penned over 20 books that usually focused on African women and gender roles in society, then my Florence Onyebuchi "Buchi" Emecheta Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/buchi-emecheta/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=media&utm_campaign=buchi_emecheta.

A review of "When the Levees Broke", a 2006 Spike Lee documentary about the impact of 2005's Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/when-the-levees-broke-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the neurologist who made tremendous contributions to the field of neurology, was a pioneer in Alzheimer's research, and is recognized as America's first Black psychiatrist, then my Solomon Carter Fuller Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/solomon-carter-fuller.

A review of "Dancing in the Glory of Monsters" by Jason Stearns which explains the causes of the Congo Wars and what unfolded once the fighting began. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/dancing-in-the-glory-of-monsters-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the civil rights activist who was arrested at the age of 15 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, then my Claudette Colvin Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/claudette-colvin.

A review of "A Time to Kill", a 1996 courtroom drama about the case of a Black man who is on trial for the revenge killing of two racist White men. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/a-time-to-kill-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the educator and journalist who co-founded Washington, D.C.'s Bethel Literary and Historical Society and the American Negro Academy, then my John Wesley Cromwell Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/john-wesley-cromwell.

"It's Not All Downhill From Here" by Terry McMillan is about a year in the life of Loretha, a woman in her 60s, and her circle of friends. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/its-not-all-downhill-from-here-book-review.

If you're interested in learning about the playwright and novelist who achieved several firsts in the theater world and penned the classic "A Hero Ain't Nothin' but a Sandwich", then my Alice Childress Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/alice-childress.

A review of "Free Angela and All Political Prisoners", a 2013 documentary directed by Shola Lynch about the events that led to Angela Davis' arrest and prosecution. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/free-angela-and-all-political-prisoners-movie-review.

If you're interested in learning about the teacher turned politician who became the first president of Tanzania after it achieved independence, then my Julius Nyerere Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/julius-nyerere.

A review of "They Were Her Property" by Stephanie Jones-Rogers which discusses the role that White women played in the institution of slavery. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/they-were-her-property-book-review.