Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History

Who Was the First African American Part 1 (featuring Panama Jackson and Charlamagne tha God)

Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History

Show Notes

Africans set foot on “American soil” as early as the 1500’s. But who was the first African American? In this historical game show episode Michael Harriot hears out Conquistador Juan Garrido, Esteban the Moor, and a group of enslaved Africans who found themselves in South Carolina.

Thanks to our special guests, Angelica Ross, Brandon Victor Dixon, Panama Jackson and Charlamagne tha God

Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OTHERtone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer Media

Executive Producers Pharrell Williams, Scott Vener, Noleca Radway, and Moses Soyoola

Senior Producer Janicia Francis

Managing Producer JoAnn DeLuna

Production Coordinator Homero Radway

Production Assistant Gilianne Roberts-Atkinson

Writers Silas Miami, Dallas Rico, Roderick Morrow, Danielle Solomon and Randolph Terrence

Sound Engineer Marcelino van Callias

Fact checker LaPorsche Thomas

Music Supervisor Timmhotep Aku

Theme Song Freedom by Pharell Williams

This episode features Ninety6 by Black Noi$e, and music by Rashad Moultrie

Cast

Spokesperson Angelica Ross

Black Steve Brandon Victor Dixon

Game Show Host Panama Jackson

Geraldo Rodrick Morrow

Voice of God Charlemagne Tha God

Audience Child Glory Radway

Juan Garrido Jason Vives

Red Carpet Host Noleca Radway

Contestant Danielle Solomon

Audience Member 1 Gillianne Roberts-Atkinson

Audience Member 2 JoAnn DeLuna

Audience Member 3 Audrey Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More from Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History

Nov 7, 2023

Arguably, best investigative journalist of her time, 19th-century trailblazer, anti lynching champion and a force to be reckoned with. From her days in the Deep South to her fearless exposés, we’re bringing you into the battle rap ring with the one and only Ida B. Wells!

Oct 31, 2023

In this episode before the season finalé… Join Michael as he goes behind the scenes to meet the people who make the Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History podcast at the cast’s wrap party.

Oct 24, 2023

Can you name the 19th century Black woman entrepreneur who funded hundreds of Black people to flee from slavery? Mary Ellen Pleasant reported in 1875 a net worth of 30 million US dollars. Which today would be worth just shy of one billion dollars. Join the students at Drapetomaniax Agricultural and Technical State University School as they learn all about this self-made millionaire abolitionist.

Oct 17, 2023

Who really invented rock n roll? The facts are clear—it was Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Black queer gospel-influenced rock and roll Beyoncé of the 1930s and ‘40s. Music legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash stole her musical style without proper acknowledgement or credit. In a renaissance of sound, celebrity and high drama we salute the legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Oct 3, 2023

Have you heard about Boley, Oklahoma - the town that wished a motherfucker would? Boley was a thriving, black town founded by Abigail McCormick who had inherited the land where Boley was founded from her grandfather, a Creek Freedmen. This episode tells the story of how, in 1932, the entire town came together when a gang of white men decided to rob the bank because they thought it’d be easy. But they were in for a big surprise.

See all episodes →