Podcasts come in many different forms — from discussion-based formats to fictional storytelling to long-form journalism — and Black podcasts are no less varied. By listening to Black history podcasts, we can gain knowledge and insight into the struggles, injustices, and injustices faced by the African-American community over the years. If you’re looking to add new content to your queue while raising your racial awareness, try giving these eight Black History podcasts a listen. Each one centralizes race, culture, and politics as experienced by people of color in America and beyond. These shows explore the untold narratives and nuances of Black history, infusing stories with personality and passion.
Historically Black
With celebrities including Keegan-Michael Key, Roxane Gay, and Issa Rae narrating, Historically Black uses personal objects to map Black history. As part of The Washington Post‘s coverage of the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture, people submitted dozens of objects that make up their own lived experiences of Black history, creating a “people’s museum” of personal things, family photos, and more. Historically Black is a unique and intimate way to approach history, illuminating the ways the person can be fiercely tied to politics.
The MLK Tapes
The MLK Tapes is a true crime podcast that explores rare recordings of eyewitness interviews and never-before-heard testimonies of the individuals present at the time of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death. The series reveals evidence that backs claims that the plot to assassinate Martin Luther King was far more nefarious than mainstream history has recorded.
Witness Black History
Powerful stories told by the people that witnessed them, or have direct links to those who were there, Witness Black History is a BBC World Service show that was created to accompany their popular Witness History series. Episodes of the podcast include one about Kadiatou Diallo, the mother of Amadou Diallo who was shot 41 times by the NYPD in 1999, leading to mass protests across New York. Kadiatou tells both Amadou’s and her own stories, with a focus on celebrating the way her son lived, rather than how he died.
Noire Histoir
Created by Natasha McEachron, Noire Histoir is a multimedia exploration of history and inspirational stories from across the Black diaspora. The weekly podcast features profiles of notable figures, including Matilda Evans, M.D., Shirley Chisholm, and Anna Julia Cooper, examinations of events like the Tulsa race massacre, and reviews of movies and books. Though the production is simple with no music, slick editing, or sound effects.
School Colors
Hosted by Mark Winston Griffith and Max Freedman, School Colors is a narrative podcast from Brooklyn Deep about how race, class, and power shape American cities and schools. As the hosts tackle topics like gentrification and charter schools, School Colors reveals how race, class, and power heavily impact the quality of education Black students can receive. Season 1 centers on District 16 in the historically Black neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Season 2 centers on District 28, which encompasses a dozen neighborhoods in the heart of Queens, often touted as “the most diverse place in the world.”
The Black History Buff Podcast
Heard in over 100 countries, the Black History Buff podcast is a fun and thrilling journey through time. Covering the full historical tapestry of the African Diaspora, you’ll hear tales covering everything from African Samurai to pistol-wielding poets. More than just a podcast, the show is a bridge that links communities throughout the African diaspora and enlightens and empowers its friends.
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
