

Our Ancestors Were Messy
Nichole Hill
The gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, our ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers but that’s hardly the end of their stories; in fact, it’s only the beginning!
Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com
Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh
Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com
Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 14, 2025 • 1h 19min
Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell
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.Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCESNora Holt: The Most Famous Woman You've Never Heard Of by Imani PerryNora Holt by Matthew GuerrieriNora 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, 2025 • 3min
Minisode #6 | What's Next for Our Ancestors Were Messy
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.comTo access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comTo stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

May 7, 2025 • 57min
Charles Gilpin "The Emperor of Broadway" Has a Note
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!Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCESThe Emperor Jones by Eugene O'NeilPreserving 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 JohnsonCharles Gilpin. The Kennedy CenterJackson Ward and its Black Wall Street. National Park ServiceBeyond Tulsa: The Historic Legacies and Overlooked Stories of America's Black Wall Streets. Time MagazineThe Richmond Planet is digitized and stored at The Library of Congress.

Apr 23, 2025 • 52min
The Doctors Julian and The Affair That Helped Bring Us Birth Control
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.Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCESJulian the Trailblazer by Peter TysonForgotten Genius. Nova. PBS"Reclaiming a Black Research Scientist's Forgotten Legacy" by Felicia R. Lee"DuSable Exhibit Highlights Juilan 'Power Couple'" by Robert FeltonYou 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 AmericaYou can support the archiving and sharing of this newspaper at Afro Charities

Apr 16, 2025 • 4min
Minisode #5 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy
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.comTo access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comTo stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

8 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
Zora Neale Hurston vs. Langston Hughes: The Pleasures & Perils of Working With Friends
Alicia Walters, an artist and writer, dives into the tumultuous relationship between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes. They discuss their creative partnership during the Harlem Renaissance, fraught with ambition, patronage, and personal struggles. Walters highlights how outside pressures led to conflict over authorship of 'Mulebone,' revealing the emotional turmoil of their friendship. The conversation also touches on Hurston's enduring legacy and the value in understanding the messiness of historical relationships in creative collaborations today.

Apr 2, 2025 • 5min
Minisode #4 | Coming Up on Our Ancestors Were Messy
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.comTo access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comTo stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on Instagram

Mar 26, 2025 • 55min
Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever
In this engaging talk, Alicia Walters, an artist and writer known for her exploration of freedom, dives into the vibrant friendship between Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes during their 1927 road trip. They discuss the importance of Black folklore, navigating Southern identity, and the artistic tensions within the Harlem Renaissance. Alicia highlights how their differing perspectives shaped their work and reflects on the broader themes of heritage and ambition, all while celebrating the rich cultural traditions that define Black identity.

Mar 19, 2025 • 6min
Minisode #3 | Coming up on Our Ancestors Were Messy
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.comTo access bonus content and support this independent production visit https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comTo stay in touch email ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com or follow the show @ourancestorsweremessy on InstagramTHE A-TEAMThe show is hosted by Nichole Hill (https://www.nicholelhill.com/)Executive Producer A.A. HernandezStory 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 STORYTo access the bonus story check out this article: Black history emerges from 1897 time capsule. Episodes release bi-weekly.

Mar 12, 2025 • 50min
A Love Story for the Ages!
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.Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.comStay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.comFollow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessyLearn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.comListen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy SOURCESSupport the reporting done by the legendary Oklahoma Eagle still in print today!Check out The Colorado Statesman, archived at the Library of Congress.