Black History, For Real

Wondery

The first woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List was a Black Panther. The richest person of all time, an African king, gave away so much gold that it caused Cairo's economy to crash. A 109 year old Black woman fights for reparations for her neighborhood that was burned to the ground when she was a child. On Wondery’s history series Black History, For Real, hosts Franchesca Ramsey and Conscious Lee go beyond the stories you already know to drop you right in the mix. It’s a no-nonsense, unwhitewashed account of history’s most overlooked moments, with a mix of narrative storytelling and candid conversation. We’ll even spill the occasional historical tea! It’s all facts, no cap.

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Our Editor's Take

Black History, For Real is a Black History podcast with a difference. Franchesca Ramsey and Conscious Lee host the show. Together, they discuss factual accounts from 14th-century Africa to the Civil Rights era in America. Each conversation highlights a candid story on Black historical figures.

Franchesca is an American comedian and activist. She first found fame on YouTube, providing commentary on race as "Chescaleigh." Conscious is an American educator, facilitator, and digital storyteller. Like Franchesca, he has also found great success on social media. The cohosts combine narrative storytelling with conversation, social commentary, and archive footage. The result is a nuanced and compelling podcast about race, power, and society.

The podcast tells the story of Assata Shakur in four episodes about women in the Black Panther Party. In 2013, she was the first woman the FBI added to its "Most Wanted Terrorists" list. The story starts at the beginning of Shakur's life, when she went by her married name, Joanne Chesimard.

In her twenties, Joanne discovered activism and joined the Black Panther movement. She changed her name to Assata Shakur in 1971. Two years later, she was involved in a shootout in New Jersey where two state troopers were shot and one died. She was convicted of murder in 1977, but escaped from prison and fled the US. Cuba granted Assata political asylum in 1984. She remains there today, and her name is still on the FBI's "Most Wanted Terrorists" list.

Other stories on Black History, For Real include the tale of Mansa Musa, a 14th-century Malian king. The podcast also tells the histories of the Harlem Renaissance and "Black Wall Street." As storytellers, Franchesca and Conscious have impressive talent. The cohosts' narrative style creates an experience similar to enjoying an audiobook. Some parts of the podcast are like hearing a conversation between friends. It's a powerful combination, and listeners may find themselves drawn into each story as a result.

Black History, For Real might appeal to those who want to learn more about Black History. Listeners who favor narrative storytelling podcasts may also enjoy it. New episodes are available weekly.

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Listen Now: Lemme Say This

Listen Now: Lemme Say This

What’s the greatest celebrity notes app apology of all time? Who is Hollywood’s most divorced man? And which society is torturing the poets? Wanna know the answers, but have no time to scour the internet all day? Well, Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris have your back. These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene. Now, these certified haters and internet carnivores are ready to cut your faves straight to the white meat.On Wondery’s newest show, Lemme Say This, you’re getting added to Hunter and Peyton’s group chat - a weekly conversation, going all-in on the pop culture news you didn’t realize you cared so much about. These best friends are chronically online so you don’t have to be. There’s nothing too niche or nosey. Listen to Lemme Say This ad-free: Wondery.fm/LemmeSayThisYou can also enjoy exclusive bonus content available only on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

17 | Picasso Baby | For Real, For Real

17 | Picasso Baby | For Real, For Real

When it comes to works of art, “Picasso” is synonymous with brilliance and innovation. Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso is famously known for spearheading the Cubist movement during the 20th century art revolution. What most people don’t know is that Picasso was heavily inspired by Africans and the African diaspora. One of his most famous works, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, depicts a striking resemblance to African masks and sculptures, which has our hosts asking, “Does Picasso owe Black people?” We’re also chatting about the history of braids. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen Now: Lemme Say This

Listen Now: Lemme Say This

What’s the greatest celebrity notes app apology of all time? Who is Hollywood’s most divorced man? And which society is torturing the poets? Wanna know the answers, but have no time to scour the internet all day? Well, Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris have your back. These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene. Now, these certified haters and internet carnivores are ready to cut your faves straight to the white meat.On Wondery’s newest show, Lemme Say This, you’re getting added to Hunter and Peyton’s group chat - a weekly conversation, going all-in on the pop culture news you didn’t realize you cared so much about. These best friends are chronically online so you don’t have to be. There’s nothing too niche or nosey. Listen to Lemme Say This ad-free: Wondery.fm/LemmeSayThisYou can also enjoy exclusive bonus content available only on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 | America Has A Problem | For Real, For Real

16 | America Has A Problem | For Real, For Real

Black culture is a pivotal pillar of broader American culture. From fashion, to language, to being the sonic foundation to much of American music. In this special episode, our hosts do a deep dive into country music and how its roots are grounded in Black music. Using Beyoncé’s latest effort, Cowboy Carter, as a springboard, Conscious Lee and Franchesca Ramsey discuss the differences between appreciation, appropriation, and colonization of Black culture. There’s also a history lesson on grillz. And not the ones you cook burgers on.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 | I Got A Story To Tell | Black Wall Street

15 | I Got A Story To Tell | Black Wall Street

The Tulsa Race Massacre is by far one of the most horrific events in American history. Although it took place over 100 years ago, the effects still ripple through the country to this day. During this time, the Oklahoma media suppressed the truth of what really happened. However, one brave resident of Greenwood documents the reality. Mary E. Jones Parrish understands the power of storytelling, and she is on a mission to share the truth of what actually happened to Black Wall Street, risking her life in the process.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 | American Dreamin’ | Black Wall Street

14 | American Dreamin’ | Black Wall Street

In the spring of 1921, a racially integrated group of moviegoers were enjoying a night out at the Black-owned Dreamland Theater. But when the movie is suddenly turned off and the lights are turned on, enjoyment turns to confusion.The cinema patrons are alerted to trouble brewing in town and are urged to make their way home with caution. But as news of a lynching spreads, Greenwood residents begin to panic. The residents of the prosperous town worry not only about their livelihoods, but also their lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 | I Get Money | Black Wall Street

13 | I Get Money | Black Wall Street

In 1906, entrepreneurs Ottawa Gurley and J.B. Stradford purchased parcels of government land in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They had dreams of building a thriving Black community, equipped with the same amenities and privileges available to whites. Dubbed Greenwood, it was promoted as a sanctuary where Black people could thrive without fear of racial discrimination. By 1921, Greenwood had become a hub of Black enterprise, with Gurley and Stradford leading the development of a self-sufficient business district. But their successes would be short-lived. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

12 | Drive Slow | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

12 | Drive Slow | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

After nearly two years, Mansa Musa finally completes his pilgrimage to Mecca. The trip is filled with tribulations, but the transformed king has prevailed. The spiritual journey may not erase the wrongdoings of his past, but it leads Musa to a peaceful self-acceptance. After his trip to the holy land, Musa must make his way home to his throne in Mali. But the road back may not be as welcoming as the one to Mecca.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 | The Marathon Continues | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

11 | The Marathon Continues | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

Feeling immense shame and regret for killing his mother, Mansa Musa seeks counsel from his Imam. The religious leader advises the king to seek peace in the Muslim holy land of Mecca. Musa embarks on the pilgrimage with a caravan of 60,000 men, made up of soldiers, advisers, and slaves; and 100 camels, each carrying 300 pounds of gold. During the first half of the 2-year journey, the convoy will face heat, exhaustion and disease. And Musa accidentally destroys the Egyptian economy along the way. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 | Watch The Throne | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

10 | Watch The Throne | Mansa Musa and The Mali Empire

Had there been a version of the Forbes list in the early 14th century, a 20-something-year-old Malian king would reign supreme. Dubbed the “richest man of all time," Mansa Musa’s wealth is unmatched to this day. However, Musa paid a hefty price for his position. In the early years of his 25-year reign, the young and brash king led the Mali Empire with an iron fist and a large ego, conquering territories all over Africa. But, he quickly learns the true cost of his tyrannical leadership – a cost his immense wealth won’t be able to cover.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 | Truth Hurts | For Real, For Real

9 | Truth Hurts | For Real, For Real

W.E.B. Du Bois and Countee Cullen were, no question, pivotal pillars during the Harlem Renaissance. Du Bois’s philosophy of race and Cullen’s masterful poetry defy the status quo of the early 1900s; however, both men fall victim to the challenges Black people still face today. In this special episode, Franchesca Ramsy and Conscious Lee dive deeper into the black-on-black conflict, church hurt, and misogyny that show up in our “Talented Tenth” series, in addition to modern times. As the good book says, “The truth shall set you free,” and our hosts tell it for real, for real.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 | The Fall Off | The Talented Tenth

8 | The Fall Off | The Talented Tenth

As Countee Cullen tries to recover from his divorce from Yolande DuBois, his career begins to falter. The Great Depression has rolled in and Black art is one of the first things to suffer. White patrons have pulled their investments, so Countee must find a steady gig. He takes a job as a teacher, where he begins to mentor a young James Baldwin. Meanwhile, W.E.B. DuBois is moving away from respectability politics and calling for Black people to divest from integrated society and capitalism. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 | Dilemma | The Talented Tenth

7 | Dilemma | The Talented Tenth

To save his public image, Countee Cullen marries W.E.B. Dubois’ daughter, Yolande. The wedding is the merger of the century. All of Black high society is in attendance to celebrate this high profile matrimony. W.E.B.’s plan to create a dynasty is complete. Countee finds love and another father figure. Happy ending, right? Not quite. Countee’s marriage to Yolande might’ve hushed the whispers of his sexuality but temptation is closer than he can handle. Like, “Best Man” close.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 | A Star is Born | The Talented Tenth

6 | A Star is Born | The Talented Tenth

In the early 1900’s, Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen went from an orphan to one of the most celebrated literary figures of his time. But his reluctance to introduce Blackness into his art threatened to alienate him from peers. And his struggles with his sexuality threatened to isolate him from his family. Luckily, his mentor W.E.B. DuBois has a plan to solve both problems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 | What’s Beef? | The Talented Tenth

5 | What’s Beef? | The Talented Tenth

In the early 1900s, NAACP co-founder W.E.B. DuBois is at the top of his game, as the first Black person to earn a PhD from Harvard and as editor of a successful magazine. He believes he has a way to achieve full equality for Black people, but major beef with civil rights leaders Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey threatens to expose his idea as an elitist mess. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

4 | Red Flags | The Women of the Black Panther Party

4 | Red Flags | The Women of the Black Panther Party

As the first ever woman in the Black Panther Party’s decision-making body, Kathleen Cleaver played a large role in shaping and influencing the Party’s views on gender roles. Her drive to live a life of liberty inspired other women to do the same. And it’s in the Party where she meets her controversial husband, Eldridge Cleaver, who would leave her with a difficult choice to make: be a supportive wife or stand up for women’s liberation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3 | Like A Boss | The Women of the Black Panther Party

3 | Like A Boss | The Women of the Black Panther Party

After many of her comrades are killed, imprisoned, and forced into exile, Elaine Brown rises the ranks to be tapped as the first and only female leader of the Black Panther Party. Like other vocal women within the Party, she faced rampant sexism. But violence within the Party and whispers of her being a government informant also threatened her ambitions to save and revitalize the Black Panther Party. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2 | Dear Mama | The Women of the Black Panther Party

2 | Dear Mama | The Women of the Black Panther Party

At only 23 years old, Afeni Shakur defended herself and 20 other Black Panther comrades in the famous Panther 21 trial. Best known as the mother of Tupac Shakur, Afeni’s legacy extends beyond her maternal role to a rap icon. Shakur’s fighting spirit helped her combat sexism within the Party and racism in the world, but her personal demons would have lasting impacts on her relationship with her son, until his untimely death.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 | Run Girl, Run | The Women of the Black Panther Party

1 | Run Girl, Run | The Women of the Black Panther Party

In her 20s, Assata Shakur became a target for government forces aiming to discredit Black liberation movements. Soon, she would emerge as one of America's most notorious fugitives. After being convicted of murdering a state trooper, Assata is sentenced to life in prison. But, she maintains her innocence. Two years into her sentence, she is broken out of prison and escapes to Cuba. Forty years after the murder, she becomes the first woman to be placed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing: Black History, For Real

Introducing: Black History, For Real

Join Franchesca Ramsey and Conscious Lee every week as they go beyond the stories of Black History you already know to drop you right in the mix. Learn about the most overlooked Black History makers and events you should already know about, not just during Black History Month. We’ll even spill the occasional historical tea! All facts, no cap. Follow Black History, For Real, and listen early and ad-free on Wondery+ on January 29th, and everywhere on February 5th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.