Making Black AF History (featuring Pharrell Williams and John Legend)

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!

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.

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.

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.

In this special behind the scenes episode, Drapetomaniax producers Gillianne, Janicia and Noleca answer some of our biggest listener questions, and discuss the politics behind making this groundbreaking Black History concept show.