Raven cover art

Raven

Raven

Written by: Gavin Whitehead
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About this listen

 Raven is a podcast about the unforgettable man who founded Harlem's first and only wax museum and the extraordinary people who went out of their way to keep its memory alive. Raven Chanticleer was a multi-talented artist and larger-than-life eccentric. For thirty years, he dreamed of opening a wax museum devoted to Black history in Harlem. In 1989, he finally did. The African American Wax Museum, as it was called, garnered widespread attention in New York and abroad, with Black artists, intellectuals, and politicians singing its praises. When Raven died in 2002, his family gutted the museum and sold the property, destroying his life's work and outraging the community. For years, Raven's prized, handmade wax figures were thought to have been lost to history. After an eighteen-month investigation, host Gavin Whitehead discovered that a handful miraculously survived--you just had to know where to look for them. If you like Raven, you might also like Gavin's other podcast, The Art of Crime. It's a history podcast about the unlikely collisions between true crime and the arts. New theme each season. Raven is a production of Drum and Monkey Media.2026 Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Raven - Trailer

    Raven - Trailer
    Jan 18 2026

    Episode 1 drops on February 13, 2026. Make sure to follow today, so you don't miss any new episodes.

    For images, follow Gavin on Instagram @gavinwhitehead430.

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    2 mins
  • Chapter One: Wax to the Max

    Chapter One: Wax to the Max
    Feb 13 2026

    Raven Chanticleer was a larger-than-life eccentric and multi-talented artist. In 1989, Raven fulfilled his long-held dream of opening a wax museum devoted to Black history in Harlem. The African American Wax Museum, as it was called, garnered widespread attention in New York and abroad, gaining a reputation as a truly unique institution. In chatper one of Raven, we take a tour of the African American Wax Museum and get to know the founder.

    If you like Raven, you might like Gavin's other podcast, The Art of Crime. It's a history podcast about the unlikely collisions between true crime and the arts.

    Raven is a production of Drum and Monkey Media. For images and other cool stuff about Raven, check Gavin's socials. His Instagram and Blue Sky socials are @gavinwhitehead430. Want to get in touch? Feel free to DM or send an email to drumandmonkeymedia@gmail.com.

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    58 mins
  • Chapter Two: A New York Story

    Chapter Two: A New York Story
    Feb 20 2026

    When Raven Chanticleer died in 2002, his nieces and nephews shuttered the African American Wax Museum and made plans to sell the property, outraging members of the community. Several New Yorkers intervened in an effort to stop the family from destorying Raven's legacy before it was too late.

    If you like Raven, you might like Gavin's other podcast, The Art of Crime. It's a history podcast about the unlikely collisions between true crime and the arts.

    Raven is a production of Drum and Monkey Media. For images and other cool stuff about Raven, check Gavin's socials. His Instagram and Blue Sky socials are @gavinwhitehead430. Want to get in touch? Feel free to DM or send an email to drumandmonkeymedia@gmail.com.

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    54 mins
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