Noire Histoir

If you’re interested in learning about the long-time international editor of Ebony magazine, then my Era Bell Thompson Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/era-bell-thompson.

"Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson is a book about family and identity. Eleanor Bennett was married with two children who despite being several years apart were very close as children but have become estranged as adults. The siblings are forced to deal with each other in the aftermath of their mother's passing. She has left some recordings for them to watch hoping to share some previously hidden aspects of herself and her life with her children.    Now a miniseries produced by Oprah coming to Hulu on Nov 1, 2023.    Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/black-cake-book-review.  

If you’re interested in learning about a lawyer and activist who helped outlaw school segregation in Pennsylvania and later became the first Black judge appointed to the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, then my Raymond Pace Alexander Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/raymond-pace-alexander.

A review of “Beloved”, a 1998 film adapted from a Toni Morrison novel that was inspired by the story of an enslaved woman who attempted to kill her children after a failed escape rather than having them return to bondage.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/beloved-movie-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the author of the Obie award-winning and Tony-nominated “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf”, then my Ntozake Shange Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/ntozake-shange.

A review of "The Grim Sleeper: The Lost Women of South Central" by Christine Pelisek which details the investigation that led to the arrest of Lonnie Franklin, a serial killer dubbed the Grim Sleeper.   Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/grim-sleeper-lost-women-of-south-central-book-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the winner of the 1979 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences and creator of “The Lewis Model”, then my Sir W. Arthur Lewis Black History Facts profile is for you.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/w-arthur-lewis.

A review of "Who We Are: A  Chronicle of Racism in America", a documentary by Jeffrey Robinson an attorney and ACLU representative who discusses the history and development of systemic racism. Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/who-we-are-a-chronicle-of-racism-in-america-movie-review/.

If you’re interested in learning about the first Black woman from any country to win an Olympic Gold Medal and the first Black female athlete with an endorsement deal, then my Alice Coachman Black History Facts profile is for you.    Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/alice-coachman.

Just a heads up, I'll be taking a two-week break to celebrate my birthday and work on upcoming content. Noire Histoir will be back with a new episode on Wednesday, October 10th. 

A review of "The Revisioners" by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton which tells the story of two Black women dealing with racial tension during different time periods.   Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/revisioners-novel-book-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the Baptist preacher who planned the 1831 rebellion that contributed to the abolition of slavery in Jamaica, then my Samuel Sharpe Black History Facts profile is for you.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/samuel-sharpe.

A review of "American Gangster", a 2007 crime drama set in the 1970s that tells the story of the Harlem kingpin, Frank Lucas and Richie Roberts, the police officer intent on bringing him down. But unlike many other films, "American Gangster" doesn't just focus on the glitz and glam of being a crime boss but also touches on the real-life consequences and drawbacks of the lifestyle. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/american-gangster-movie-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the founder of a private Chicago elementary school who developed methods to educate children who had been labeled unteachable, then my Marva Collins Black History Facts profile is for you.    Show notes and sources at available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/marva-collins.

A review of "Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended Slavery in the British Empire" by Tom Zoellner which recounts Samuel Sharpe's rebellion in Jamaica and how it led to the abolishment of slavery.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/island-on-fire-book-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the co-founder of a Black newspaper that spoke out against discrimination and Book T. Washington, then my William Monroe Trotter Black History Facts profile is for you.   Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/william-monroe-trotter.

A review of “Booker's Place”, a documentary about Booker Wright, a waiter in Greenwood, Mississippi who participated in an NBC documentary about his experiences as a black man living in the South under Jim Crow.   Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/bookers-place-movie-review.

If you’re interested in learning about Denver’s first recorded Black woman who became an entrepreneur and helped other Black people move west and settle in Colorado, then my Clara Brown Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/clara-brown.

"Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams is a novel about a young Black woman in her mid-20s who was born and raised in London. The story follows her through the ups and downs of a year of her life, much of it spurred on by her relationship drama and personal issues.   Show notes are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/queenie-book-review.

If you’re interested in learning about the Harlem Renaissance writer and poet who set himself apart from his contemporaries by focusing on both race relations and classism, then my Claude McKay Black History Facts profile is for you. Show notes and sources are available at http://noirehistoir.com/blog/claude-mckay.