Best PushBlack Podcasts (2024)

1
How The Peacock Chair Became An Iconic Cultural Symbol 2:56

40m ago2:56

2:56

A rattan chair woven together in a light brown hue with a balloon back and round base is familiar. From baby showers to Huey P. Newton’s famous photo, this chair has been special to us for generations—but why? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to ampl…

1
The African Foundations of Civilization with Dr Runoko Rashidi (Oct 2020) 1:02:00

23m ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Our story begins in Nubia and the Nile Valley, the Kingdom of Kongo, the Mali Empire, and the Great Zimbabwe. Our host, Jay, sat down with Dr. Runoko Rashidi in October 2020 to reveal how the origins of Black people lie in great, ancient African civilizations and how our hidden history spans the globe. To learn of Dr. Rashidi's work, visit drrunoko…

1
His Scientific Invention Made The Moon Landing Possible 3:25

26m ago3:25

3:25

He was a hidden figure to many, kept out of the limelight because racists preferred it that way. But working in a white-run profession didn’t stop him from reaching for the stars. LITERALLY. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of …

1
The Man Who Made Malcolm X The Hero He Became 2:51

1h ago2:51

2:51

Malcolm X might have stayed as “Detroit Red” if it wasn’t for a chance meeting in prison with Elton Bembry, better known as “Bimbi,” who showed him the power of education. But who was Bimbi? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of …

1
The First Black Circus Owner's Philosophy On How To Treat Performers 3:00

2h ago3:00

3:00

The circus was in town, and the tent was filled to capacity. Families traveled from miles around to see something they’d never seen. As the Ringmaster stepped from the shadows, the crowd gasped. What on earth was THIS? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exist…

1
The Circus Slaves No One Ever Talks About 3:19

14m ago3:19

3:19

Brothers George and Willie Muse were abducted by the famous Ringling Bros. circus. Though many thought the children would be lost forever, their mother demanded justice… and got it. 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'…

1
A Liberated Black Imaginary with adrienne maree brown (March 2021) 49:58

15m ago49:58

49:58

Everything humanity has ever created – the good and the bad – started with imagination. But what if we could harness the power of imagination — tap into a “Black imaginary” — to build a truly just future for Black people, unique in the audacity of its reach? A dream? A simple fantasy? We don’t think so, nor did our guest, author-activist-afrofuturi…

1
They Lied About This Massacre To Protect A Racist Myth 3:00

3h ago3:00

3:00

This was one of the bloodiest massacres in American history, but it’s been mostly erased from history! Why? Because it reveals the truth about a terrible racist myth we’ve all been taught. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Bl…

1
His Honesty Helped Raise Awareness Around AIDS 3:07

11d ago3:07

3:07

He was terrified for his life. There were sores all over his body - was this the new virus the CDC was warning everyone about? _____________ 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 hap…

1
How This Brilliant Inventor Transformed Black Homes 3:13

5d ago3:13

3:13

As a young inventor, he wanted to change the world – but as he got older, he realized that he could actually transform Black people’s lives closer to home. How did his curiosity and brilliance cause him to do both? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to…

1
The Most Powerful Black Politician You've Never Heard Of 3:16

2h ago3:16

3:16

He may as well have been a unicorn: an honest, pro-Black politician during the Reconstruction era, where corruption and racism ran rampant! But soon he was dead – and his name would be as hard to find in history as a unicorn! But why? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company.…

1
Dr. Boyce Watkins and The Story of Sarah Rector (May 2020) 40:32

9d ago40:32

40:32

In 1907, as Oklahoma was becoming a state, the Dawes Allotment Act divided Indigenous land among natives and formerly enslaved Black people. Each member of the Rector family received land, including 10-year-old Sarah Rector, who would soon become the richest Black woman in America. In May 2020, Jay conversed with author and economic scholar Dr. Boy…

1
The True History Behind Billie Holiday's Most Impactful Song 3:30

16d ago3:30

3:30

The air was thick with tension. Police lined the back of the auditorium, daring her to sing the first note. “Southern trees bear a strange fruit,” she sang before all Hell broke loose. Here’s the history behind Billie Holiday’s most dangerous song. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black …

1
She Paved The Way For Black Women's Suffrage 3:42

14d ago3:42

3:42

She fought so hard, for so long, and yet – she felt so small. Her life was falling apart. Her health was failing her, and she was running out of time. Would she live to see the impact of her work? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stori…

1
Maya Angelou Had Some Choice Words For Tupac In 1992 3:30

5d ago3:30

3:30

The day that Tupac Shakur met Maya Angelou on the set of “Poetic Justice,” he experienced a profound moment of empathy that would forever shape his life and career. _____________ 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 l…

1
The Little-Known Black History Of The Easter Holiday 3:15

6d ago3:15

3:15

When you think of the Easter holiday, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it Black history? It should be. Here’s why the holiday is one of the Blackest celebrations of the year. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Bla…

1
Reclaiming Black Sexuality and Eroticism, Part 2 with Rev. Courtney Bryant 58:35

21d ago58:35

58:35

Today's History Story: Top Lies About Twerking We’re wrapping up our incredible conversation with Reverend Dr. Courtney Alma Bryant about erotic defiance and body reclamation. Erotic defiance is a powerful form of resistance and self-expression. Those brave enough to reclaim their bodies from racist and sexist constraints reap the liberating reward…

1
The Underground Railroad Was Only One Path To Freedom. Going Further South Was Another 3:19

8d ago3:19

3:19

To the North lay freedom, or so many believed. Starvation, exposure to the elements, and especially the threat of recapture still hung heavy over the heads of those who had escaped bondage. But what about escaping even further south? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. …

1
3 Methods Behind The Magic Of Black Creativity 3:28

14d ago3:28

3:28

Bass filling our ears, bodies dancing to new sounds. Words clipped from the documents that oppressed us, making them our own. The broken patterns of soft, colorful fabric. Our culture is synonymous with experimental creativity. Here are three examples of how. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-pr…

1
The Special Role Kola Nuts Play In Black Spirituality 3:02

14d ago3:02

3:02

Beyond being the once-key ingredient in soda, the kola nut has a long history with our people that goes deeper than any sugary drink. It’s a symbol of peace, prayer, and justice. _____________ 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 histor…

1
The Black Roots Of Macaroni And Cheese 3:08

13d ago3:08

3:08

It’s an iconic dish that warms the tables of our homes, fellowship halls, picnic tables at cookouts, and anywhere else special enough to bestow it. We don’t play about mac and cheese, and its incredible history in Black kitchens could explain why. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black m…

1
Reclaiming Black Sexuality and Eroticism with Rev. Courtney Bryant 1:04:19

14d ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Today's History Story: The Jezebel Myth Many dehumanizing stereotypes have persisted from slavery and Jim Crow to our present day. One of the most insidious? The Jezebel. But who was Jezebel, and what does her story reveal about the West’s deep-seated fear of Black bodies, sexuality, and the erotic? Today’s guest has plenty to say about it. Reveren…

1
This Popular Holiday Drink Is Rooted In Black History 2:43

15d ago2:43

2:43

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about eggnog? Here’s why you might want to start considering the drink a symbol of unity for Black people everywhere. _____________ 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 yo…

1
As Hip-Hop’s First Godmother, She Helped Build The Billion-Dollar Industry 2:56

29d ago2:56

2:56

Against all odds, Sylvia Robinson transformed her setbacks into the world's first hip-hop record and ignited a global movement. Without her, hip-hop may not be what it is today. Here’s how she laid the foundation for hip-hop to go worldwide. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media c…

1
She Challenged Discrimination A Century Before Rosa Parks 3:04

19d ago3:04

3:04

You know the story of Rosa Parks. She refused to cater to discrimination on mass transit. But did you know that a prominent Black woman in Philadelphia served that same transit justice a century earlier? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify th…

1
Resurfacing The Black Roots Of Rumba Dancing 3:16

27d ago3:16

3:16

Drumbeats filled the air, navels pressed against each other, and hips swayed. A dance of celebration was one of the few things the Congolese were able to take into enslavement. The history of the rumba is a tale of cultural erasure. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. P…

1
Traveling While Black with Briona Lamback 1:29:25

1M ago1:29:25

1:29:25

Today's History Story: Staying Safe While Traveling Traveling wasn't always accessible to our ancestors. The Great Migration allowed many Black individuals to leave the South and move to urban areas. Over time, leisure travel became common among Black people, facilitated by resources like The Green Book, offering opportunities to break free from op…

1
The ‘Angry Black Woman’ Trope And The Truth About Black Rage 3:52

1M ago3:52

3:52

She got heated often. Yelled. Raged. Her emotions were belittled. She was called Sapphire and used to weaponize how Black women express anger. Thankfully, she stayed mad, and her rage was her greatest teacher of what it means to protest. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media compa…

1
This Trailblazing Doctor Challenged Racism And Changed Medicine Forever 4:02

1M ago4:02

4:02

He was told Black blood shouldn’t be mixed with white blood. Refusing to accept this racism, he chose another, more powerful path. His story is ironic, given that he was the one who made blood storage possible in the first place. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. Push…

1
How This TikToker Used A Centuries-Old Black Tradition To Captivate Millions 2:55

1M ago2:55

2:55

Reesa Teesa broke the internet with her 50-part video series, “‘Who TF Did I Marry?” Her storytelling captivated the audience, but Reesa was simply continuing a centuries-old Black tradition. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of…

1
Watermelon’s Surprising Ancient And African Ancestral Roots 2:57

1M ago2:57

2:57

Go to any cookout and just the sight of juicy, bright red watermelon makes our mouths water. But the taste isn’t the only thing we savor. Enjoying watermelon is an ancestral practice with roots extending all the way back to Africa. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. Pu…

1
Copaganda Exposed with Chenjerai Kumanyika 1:22:15

28d ago1:22:15

1:22:15

Today's History Story: John Johnson Attica Have you ever stopped to consider how much media focuses on police narratives? The sheer volume almost feels dystopian. There’s even a term for it: copaganda. Whether you’ve heard it or not, copaganda's reach is vast, with even vaster consequences. It infiltrates every form of media, from the morning news …

1
She Walked The Runway And Now She Walks For Justice 2:58

1M ago2:58

2:58

She’s walked on runways, owned her own modeling agency, and has traveled all over the world. However, Bethann Hardison’s accolades in modeling and fashion pale in comparison to what she has done for generations of Black women. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBla…

1
The African Foods You Thought Were American 3:03

1M ago3:03

3:03

Enslaved Africans braided grains of rice into their hair. Okra seeds were tucked into pockets. Many of the foods we eat today you may have thought were American are actually native to Africa and helped our people survive. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack ex…

1
His Case Proved The Dangers Of False ‘Scientific’ Evidence 3:49

2M ago3:49

3:49

The fact was this: He didn’t have any hair on his head. But “science” proved his hair matched the murderer’s, so they locked him up, stealing decades of his life. And he isn’t the only one. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of B…

1
The Hidden Black History Behind The St. Louis Gateway Arch 3:40

2M ago3:40

3:40

The Gateway Arch is one of St. Louis's crowning architectural achievements, but it has a horrific historic past. Here is the little-known history behind one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the …

1
The Pursuit of Black Land Justice with Brea Baker 1:29:37

1M ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Today's History Story: Georgetown University Sold Us What hasn't America stolen from us? Our bodies, our culture, and the land that grounds a nation we've built. We refuse to accept this. For centuries, we've reclaimed our bodies and our culture. Now, we want our land. Reparations are due, people. Land reparations. And today's guest knows plenty ab…

1
The Truth Was Like Fire Shut Up In His Bones 3:28

2M ago3:28

3:28

They told him his work was too controversial and rejected it from the academy! But he knew Black people worldwide needed to know the truth – so he published it on his own. What was so important that he could not keep quiet? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack …

1
The Relentless Pilot Who Took Black Aviation To New Heights 3:07

2M ago3:07

3:07

A folktale tells of a time when Black people could spout wings and fly. Though it may be a myth, this young pilot took those words to heart! _____________ 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…

1
The History of The Silent Protests Speaks Volume 3:25

1M ago3:25

3:25

It’s open season on Black lives. We are murdered by police, hunted by white vigilantes, and relegated to second-class citizenship. Nevertheless, we ALWAYS make our voices heard. But one of our first attempts to unite didn’t involve our voices at all! _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Blac…

1
How One Teen's Drowning Caused An Entire City To Riot 3:14

1M ago3:14

3:14

The crowds swarm the city, throwing rocks, punches, and insults. The cops pretend to control the crowd, but they’re really helping white rioters attack Black citizens. How did this happen in a city known for its diversity? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack e…

1
The (De)Construction of Black Masculine Identity with Marlon Ross 1:25:10

1M ago1:25:10

1:25:10

Today's History Story: Black Men Aren't Allowed to Have Emotions, Right? Gender has shaped and continues to shape much of our lives. It tells boys to wear blue and girls to wear pink, dictates what careers are “appropriate” as adults, and even has a say in how we’re expected to express our feelings. Quiet as it's kept, a big reason gender norms exi…

1
Why Was This Man Called Black Moses 3:00

1M ago3:00

3:00

The young man blocked out the white crowd’s jeers as he walked on stage. He was going to say what he had to say. Period! What was so important for him to say that he’d face a dangerously racist crowd? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the s…

1
This Powerful Movement Was Inspired By Our Black Excellence 3:07

2M ago3:07

3:07

Like clockwork, cops would raid the young man’s restaurant looking for drugs. And every time, they found nothing! He had to do something about this harassment – but how could he fight against such a huge system by himself? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack e…

1
She Saved 21 Lives In This Historic Trial 3:19

2M ago3:19

3:19

21 Black Panthers were about to go to prison for something they didn’t do! That is, until one determined young woman stepped up to secure all their freedom, all while pregnant … with Tupac Shakur. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stori…

1
She Created A 25 Year-Long Masterpiece To Help Tell Black Stories 3:13

2M ago3:13

3:13

They've tried to erase our stories for too long, but she wasn't having it! So she dedicated her life to her people – and spent 25 years creating this beautiful, Black masterpiece. _____________ 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 histo…

1
We're NOT Losing Our Recipes: The History of Black Cuisine with Michael Twitty 1:08:56

2M ago1:08:56

1:08:56

Today's History Story: Fried Chicken Origins Even in the worst conditions, our ancestors found nourishment when it was scarce, using ingenuity to create the rich tradition of Black American cuisine. Yet, over time, stereotypes and misinformation have poisoned these histories and recipes, causing some Black people to distance themselves from our vib…

1
How Two Cousins And Their Adventures Helped Pioneer The Black Travel Movement 3:16

2M ago3:16

3:16

The cousins were setting sail for the trip of a lifetime. They expected scenic train rides, gondola rides, and eating their way through new cuisines, but something eerily familiar from home followed them on the journey. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exis…

1
The Enslaved Gardener Who Turned Pecans Into A Cash Crop 2:47

2M ago2:47

2:47

He tended to the plantations, gardening day in and day out. It was tiring, but he secretly worked on one of his best ideas. And today we’re absolutely nuts about it. _____________ 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 …

1
Medicine In Our Country Was Built On The Experimentation Of Black Bodies 3:25

2M ago3:25

3:25

The battle for bodily autonomy in the Black community is nothing new. We’ve been fighting for the right to control our bodies for centuries. However, the acts doctors performed in twentieth-century North Carolina were especially heinous. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media compa…

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