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Our Ancestors Were Messy

Our Ancestors Were Messy

Written by: Coco Hill Productions
Listen for free

A recap of 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, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers. Support this independent production by joining the donor community at: ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com Follow us on Instagram @ourancestorsweremessy @nicholewthanh2023-3023 Our Ancestors Were Messy Art World
Episodes
  • The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with Tressie McMillan Cottom

    The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with Tressie McMillan Cottom
    Jul 8 2026

    Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillian Cottom taped live on Juneteenth at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU in Richmond, VA.

    • Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com
    • Sign up for the newsletter and learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com
    • Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SELECT SOURCES

    1. The Black Loyalists of the American Revolution
    2. Enslaved by George Washington, This Man Escaped to Freedom-and Joined the British Army
    3. Black Loyalists Exodus to Nova Scotia
    4. An Account of the Life of Mr. David George from SLA given by himself
    5. George Liele
    6. Thomas Peters
    7. The Black Loyalist Heritage Center
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 39 mins
  • The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with BA Parker and Gene Demby

    The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with BA Parker and Gene Demby
    Jul 8 2026

    Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring the co-hosts of Code Switch B.A. Parker and Gene Demby taped live at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in Washington, DC.

    • Support this independent production and access bonus content at https://ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com
    • Sign up for the newsletter and learn more about the show at https://ourancestorsweremessy.com
    • Stay in touch at ouranestorsweremessy@gmail.com
    • Follow the show on Instagram at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Follow the show on TikTok at @ourancestorsweremessy
    • Listen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@OurAncestorsWereMessy

    SELECT SOURCES

    1. The Black Loyalists of the American Revolution
    2. Enslaved by George Washington, This Man Escaped to Freedom-and Joined the British Army
    3. Black Loyalists Exodus to Nova Scotia
    4. An Account of the Life of Mr. David George from SLA given by himself
    5. George Liele
    6. Thomas Peters
    7. The Black Loyalist Heritage Center
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)

    Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)
    Jul 6 2026

    A preview of an upcoming episode about the Black Loyalists. Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an unbelievable legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond!

    Full episodes air July 8th starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMillian Cottom taped live on Juneteenth at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU in Richmond, VA. You'll also get to hear the same story told again to the co-hosts of Code Switch, B.A. Parker and Gene Demby taped live at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in Washington, DC.

    Different guests. Different audiences. Very different perspectives!

    • 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
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
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