

Black History Year
PushBlack
Learning your history makes you - and your people - stronger. As Black people, we know we’re often left out of the history books. That media images are skewed. That we need access to experts, information, and ideas so we can uplift our community. Black History Year connects you to the history, thinkers, and activists that are usually excluded from mainstream conversations. You might not agree with everything you hear, but we’re always working toward one goal: uniting for the best interests of Black people worldwide. BHY is produced by PushBlack, the nation’s largest non-profit Black media organization - contact us at BlackHistoryYear.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 15, 2025 • 3min
She Ignited Her Community With A Carnival – And Made History
In the dead of winter, they danced. Jazz played. They dressed up, spoke up, and got down. This is the story of how this exiled Black communist started one of the biggest parties in the world. _____________2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 12, 2025 • 4min
3 Ways HillmanTok University Is Reviving the Legacy of Black Education
DEI rollbacks and Black history bans aren't new. They've always been deployed to block our access to educational opportunities. Now, 'HillmanTok' University, an online HBCU educating thousands, reminds us of something we should never forget.
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2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 11, 2025 • 3min
3 Ridiculous Things That Used To Be Illegal For Black Folks
Today’s tough-on-crime laws couldn’t hold a candle back in the day. As soon as enslavement ended, the foolishness started. Black people – even those who were already free – could be jailed for anything, and these reasons are three of the most ridiculous.
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2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 2025 • 4min
Why Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Wore Shells To The Inauguration
In a world where anti-Black politicians and policies surround us, Ketanji Brown Jackson sat in a sea of hate with the most potent Black symbol around her neck. Here's why it matters right now.
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2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 9, 2025 • 4min
What Trump’s Attack On Birthright Citizenship Means For Black Americans
In 1857, this country told Dred Scott that Black people like him could never be citizens. Then, our ancestors secured our birthright citizenship. Today, Trump is threatening to make the “impossible” possible, filing to end birthright citizenship. What does that mean for Black Americans?
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2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 8, 2025 • 3min
These Black History Month Facts Prove Why It’s Still Needed
Think you know everything about Black History Month? The real story behind it may surprise you._____________
2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 7, 2025 • 3min
MLK’s Last Sermon Came With A Deeply Powerful And Prophetic Message
He stepped out onto the stage, prepared to address the audience. But deep in his spirit he knew death was upon him. It was urgent that he deliver one final message to his people._____________
2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 6, 2025 • 3min
Legend Says His Daring Escape Created The Underground Railroad
He swam as hard as he could, his enslaver chasing him in a boat. “I’ve got him now,” the oppressor thought. Then his target vanished into thin air. “Where the hell did he go?”_____________
2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 2, 2025 • 45min
Reconciling History As a Black Anarchist with Ashanti Alston (Jan 2023)
It was in Plainfield, NJ, in 1971 where our guest - Ashanti Alston - joined The Black Panther Party, radicalized in the wake of the 1967 Newark Riots and Malcolm X’s assassination years earlier. Ashanti would begin his life as an anarchist on that day, and it has guided his every step – through the Panther Party, then the Black Liberation Army, his incarceration, and his work honoring the sacrifice of political prisoners in the name of Black liberation with The Jericho Movement.
Ashanti sits with us now with a 21st-century view of the impact of his radical brothers and sisters and the lessons learned from a lifetime of seeking Black liberation.
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Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school and explore pathways to liberation with people leading the way. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
Hosting BHY is Jay (2020-2023) and Darren Wallace (2024). The BHY production team includes Jareyah Bradley and Brooke Brown. Our producers are Cydney Smith and Len Webb for PushBlack, and Lance John with Gifted Sounds edits and engineers the show. BHY’s executive producers are Julian Walker and Lilly Workneh. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 1, 2025 • 3min
This All-Black Baseball Squad Put A Beating On The KKK
It was a stupid idea to begin with – and when the KKK decided to tread into Black territory, one thing was certain. They would learn TODAY._____________2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh serves as executive producer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices