Long before they were fancy, oysters were considered "dirty" food. But they've always been crucial for us, from being used to build shelters to serving as a spiritual tool. Here's why oysters are essential to Black culture. _____________ 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...

Sports arenas aren’t just for fun and games. They’re also arenas where athletes can and have pushed back against oppression, asserted autonomy, and influenced social change at scale. But just how much change can Black athletes create in the capitalistic world of professional sports? History has many answers, as does today’s guest, Louis Moore. Lou is a historian, professor, and author. In his latest book, “The Great Black Hope: Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the Making of the Black...

We often hear that Black people don’t swim and do water sports. For example, many consider surfing a “white people activity.” But this is a bonafide ‘white’ lie. _____________ 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...

New Year’s Day is a time for celebration, goal-setting, and a fresh start for many people today. But it wasn’t that simple for enslaved Africans. Like doomsday, January 1st loomed over their heads. What was so dreadful about the new 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 Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions...

She’d been practicing for years just for this moment. She floated onto the stage with a poise that had their mouths on the floor. As she’d hoped, the company wanted her as their star ballerina – but only on one racist condition. _____________ 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...

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 exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com...

From Love & Hip-Hop to Real Housewives, Black reality TV is often seen as all drama and no substance. But behind the fights and rented luxury, could unscripted television be a platform with the power to challenge mainstream narratives and actualize Black liberation? In this episode, we’re unpacking the harms, the possibilities, and the impact of these shows on culture and Black identity. Joining us is Corin Wilson, a dope reality TV producer with all the insight we need to help us track...

Introducing the new season of Black History Year, where Dee highlights the numerous and amazing ways that Black people have affected change through the arts and entertainment. Season 9 of BHY debuts Tuesday, Oct 8th, with new episodes every week. 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

Heart pounding, she clamped her hand over her mouth and stifled her scream. Someone was banging on the door. What if she’d been spotted entering the safe house? If the enslaver reported her missing? Would her trick work to ensure her freedom? _____________ 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...

The man’s voice could be heard over almost everything else at the fall carnival. “Three tries for a nickel,” folks heard the promoter yell. “Hit the Negro in the head and win a prize!” What kind of game was this? _____________ 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...

Her fingers trembled as she braided the rice seeds into her daughter's hair. The thought of enslavers snatching them was terrifying. While these seeds wouldn’t ensure safety, they might grant survival. _____________ 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...

Shot. Dead. In jail. That’s what their teachers told them would happen if they did bad on a test. Was it true? The fear this school put in these Black elementary school students wasn’t just unacceptable. It was prison-like. _____________ 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...

Contrary to what you might think, many of us are living on plantations in the present day. The plantations look vastly different than our forebearers', but white supremacy continues to trap us within these violent systems. We don't have to remain disconnected from our needs, dignity, and freedom. In November 2021, Dr. Christena Cleveland, a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist, walked Jay through a guide exploring what leaving the plantation...

Laundering on the plantation was no joke. It wasn’t easy work, especially because enslaved people made everything from scratch–including the soap. _____________ 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...

With the word “slave” written on his right cheek, Prince put on a legendary performance. Many people viewed his music as an escape to feel free, but what happens when the artist doesn’t feel free himself? _____________ 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...

His breathing heavy, he heard guards searching through the forest, shouting his name. He couldn’t get caught. Because just like his fugitive ancestors, who escaped the plantation centuries ago, he too was a runaway - a successful 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 Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at...

The debates over U.S. monuments that celebrate Confederate generals, soldiers, and politicians show just how pervasive slavery's legacy is - and how it continues to impact the way Black America moves and exists in the world today. In May 2021, Jay sat down with author/poet Clint Smith to discuss this and more on this episode of the Best of Black History Year. __________________________ Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company....

She’s responsible for much of our cultural norms and celebrations. Her legacy? Being the iconic leader who took no mess. _____________ 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...

Culinary historian Micheal Twitty says: “Our food was never just food. It was medicine and a gateway to good fortune, and a mystical lubricant between the living and the dead.” Our cuisine has always been worthy of praise. _____________ 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...

For decades, he watched this country evolve and shift - and in many ways treat Black people the same. But how he went hard for our people even at 91 years old will inspire you to never stop fighting for our rights. _____________ 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...

The sweet vs. savory grits debate is a longstanding discussion in our community. But is there a right way to enjoy comfort food? _____________ 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...

The lasting impacts of toxic waste, pollution, climate change, and other harms continue to cause long-term health outcomes and take countless Black lives. In April 2021, with the guidance of environmental sociologist Dr. Dorceta Taylor, Jay digs into the connection between racism, economic inequality, the environment, and the actions we can take to protect ourselves and our future. __________________________ Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit...

Our people were fighting for freedom – and this brilliant inventor had an epiphany. To succeed against white terrorism, we would need to be committed to one thing: problem-solving. And he gave us a perfect example. _____________ 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 —...

Her fingers plucked the guitar strings with an intensity no one had heard before. She created a bold, new genre. Yet when people think of rock, they forget all about Sister Rosetta Tharpe or countless Black women who still rock hard 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...

The 20-year-old mother woke up in a daze, neck sore. Shocked, she saw her husband beside her, dying. Shockingly, she would not only get sent to prison for her husband’s murder, but end up battling her entire country. _____________ 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 —...