Episodes

Sep 3

Was dating any easier in the past? Nichole Hill joins Gene Demby and B.A. Parker, hosts of NPR's Code Switch, to put this question to the test by traveling back in time to 1937, using archival personal ads from the Washington Afro-American newspaper. Together, the trio gets a small taste of what it was like for Black folks to date almost a century ago. Turns out, the ancestors were messy, too! Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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

May 14

A musical prodigy from Kansas becomes a renowned race woman in Chicago, a tabloid sensation in Harlem, and an internationally renowned musical force. These are the many lives and loves of one of the most famous women of the era: Nora Holt. Starring Natalie Tulloch and Christabel Nsiah-Buadi Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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 Nora Holt: The Most Famous Woman You've Never Heard Of by Imani Perry Nora Holt by Matthew Guerrieri Nora Holt: New Negro Composer and Jazz Age Goddess by Cheryl A. Wall "Strange What Cosmopolites Music Makes of Us": Classical Music, the Black press, and Nora Douglas Holt's Black Feminist Audiotopia by Lucy Caplan

May 14

Host Nichole Hill shares updates about the future of the show. 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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

May 7

In 1920, Emperor Jones was a bona fide Broadway hit. The controversial play’s lead is Charles Gilpin, the first Black man to head up an integrated cast on the Great White Way. Gilpin enjoys fame, accolades, and universal acclaim…but he does have a note for his playwright Eugene O’Neil. A note that will make and break careers and change the course of Black history! Starring Dr. Chioke I'anson and Amaya. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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 The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neil Preserving African-American Cinema: The Case of The Emperor Jones by Jennie Saxena with contributions from Ken Weissman and James Cozart "The Truth About Haiti: An NAACP Investigation" by James Weldon Johnson Charles Gilpin. The Kennedy Center Jackson Ward and its Black Wall Street . National Park Service Beyond Tulsa: The Historic Legacies and Overlooked Stories of America's Black Wall Streets. Time Magazine The Richmond Planet is digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.

Apr 23

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 making history but now that the secret’s out, their futures hang in the balance. Starring Nygel Turner. Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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 Julian the Trailblazer by Peter Tyson Forgotten Genius . Nova. PBS "Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist's Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee "DuSable Exhibit Highlights Juilan 'Power Couple'" by Robert Felton You can read the Washington Afro American newspaper which is still in print and holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously published Black newspapers in America You can support the archiving and sharing of this newspaper at Afro Charities

Apr 16

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Apr 9

Zora Neale Huston and Langston Hughes finally set to work writing their play but outside influences and crossed wires spell trouble for this historic pair. Starring Alicia Walters . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Follow the show on TikTok @ourancestorsweremessy Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor Check out The Interstate Tattler digitized and stored by the New York Public Libraries Read the archives at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Apr 2

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Mar 26

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 . Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy Follow the show on TikTok @ourancestorsweremessy Learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCES Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal by Yuval Taylor Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston In Search of Zora Neale Hurston by Alice Walker The Dinner Party That Started the Harlem Renaissance by Veronica Chambers and Michelle May-Curry The Complex Literary Friendship Between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston by Yuval Taylor Mules and Men by Zora Neale Hurston Jackson's classic collection of Black "toasts" is resurrected by Patricia Donovan Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me: Narrative Poetry from Black Oral Tradition by Bruce Jackson Check out The Chicago Defender digitized and stored at The Library of Congress Read the archives at The Chicago Defender Archives

Mar 19

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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.

Mar 12

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

Mar 5

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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.

Feb 26

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

Feb 19

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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.

Feb 12

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

Jan 25

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 ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com 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